Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Chronic one-eye eye infection in umbrella cockatoo
By Phalen, David N et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2006·Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Encephalitozoon hellem infection as the cause of a unilateral chronic keratoconjunctivitis in an umbrella cockatoo (Cacatua alba).
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
An umbrella cockatoo was brought in for a severe eye problem, specifically chronic keratoconjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye and eyelids), that had lasted for 9 months and didn’t improve with regular treatments. Tests revealed a rare infection caused by a parasite called Encephalitozoon hellem. The bird was treated with an oral medication called albendazole for several months, which successfully cleared up the infection. After treatment, the cockatoo has remained healthy for the past two years.
People also search for: cockatoo eye infection treatment · Encephalitozoon hellem in birds · chronic keratoconjunctivitis in parrots
Abstract
An umbrella cockatoo (Cacatua alba) was presented with a keratoconjunctivitis of 9 months' duration that was refractory to antibacterial and antifungal treatments. Microsporidian-type spores were observed in calcofluor M2R-stained cytological preparations of debrided corneal epithelium. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of a conjunctival biopsy also showed a small number of intracellular parasites. Microsporidial DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction in DNA extracted from the remaining biopsy material. Sequence analysis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene identified the microsporidium as Encephalitozoon hellem. The cockatoo was treated with oral albendazole for 3 months with resolution of the signs, and then again for 4 months when the signs returned. Since then, the bird has remained healthy for 2 years. This is the second report of a microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in a bird, and the first report of an E. hellem infection in a cockatoo. Ophthalmologists should consider E. hellem as a possible cause of a keratoconjunctivitis in parrots that is refractory to treatment with traditional antimicrobials.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16409247/