Aspergilose em trinca-ferros (Saltator similis) competidores de canto

Abstract

Aspergillosis is the most common mycosis in birds, which are considered potential host also susceptible to the infection by Aspergillus spp. The clinical signs of the disease are often related to the respiratory tract, although other organs or systems may be affected. Signs are generally either not specifi c or may be directly related to the extent of the lesions in the respiratory tract (rhinitis, changes in the vocalization and dyspnea). The aim of this study was to describe and characterize three cases of aspergillosis in Greenwinged saltators (Saltator similis), based on reference standard diagnostics of this mycosis. Cases: Three Green-winged adult male saltators that had been participating weekly for three months in bird singing contests were referred to a private veterinary clinic. The clinical evaluation revealed pronounced hoarseness (3/3) and intense dyspnea (1/3). The animals were allocated to a warmed (280 C) oxygen chamber at 65% relative humidity. All birds were nebulized with saline solution and hyaluronidase. In addition, the birds were treated orally with complex vitamins B, A, D and E and intravenously either with dexamethasone and doxycycline (Case 1), azithromycin (Case 2) or metronidazole-enrofl oxacin combination (Case 3), in association with the use of Arnica Montana CH6 in the drinking water, and fl uid therapy (5% glucose, Ringer-lactate and saline solution). In spite of the therapeutic treatments, the birds died three days after the hospitalization. The necropsy examination revealed: syrinx with yellowish content ranging from 2 to 5 mm diameter occluding the lumen (3/3) and the lungs were diffusely reddened (3/3) with yellowish areas of 2 mm (1/3). The histologic fi ndings included proliferation of connective tissue in the mucosa and submucosa of the syrinx and granulomas formation in the lumen with necrotic centers that had large amounts of branched and septate hyphae with radiated arrangement. A large amount of hyphae were observed in granulomas in the lungs. The mycological culture (Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Malt Extract Agar) of lung fragments and syrinx from all three birds allowed the isolation of colonies of Aspergillus fumigatus.