Case Report: Aspergillosis andco-infection in the lower respiratory tract of a Harris's Hawk ().

Abstract

A 12-year-old female Harris's Hawk () that presented with prominent dyspnea and open-mouthed breathing with increasing respiratory problems during handling procedures died suddenly. Necropsy revealed extensive granulomatous airsacculitis, serositis, and pneumonia. Intralesional dark red helminths consistent withsp. were seen in the trachea, air sacs, lungs, and on top of multiple visceral organs. Furthermore, ascaridoid worms were found in the lumen of the small intestine. PCR analysis of both helminth species resulted inand, respectively. In addition, the air sacs contained innumerable areas of white to grayish sporulating mold. Mycological analysis revealed a prominent co-infection with. While infection of the respiratory tract withand air sac aspergillosis are known diseases in diverse raptor species, this case represents not only the first documented report of a Harris's Hawk with pathological changes due to a prominentinfection but also of a raptor with Syngamidae-Aspergillus co-infection and concomitant endoparasitosis of the gut.