Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fatal toxoplasmosis causing sudden death in vinaceous Amazon parrot
By Ferreira, Francisco Carlos et al.·Published in Avian diseases·2012·Departamento de Medicina Veteriná·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Fatal toxoplasmosis in a vinaceous Amazon parrot (Amazona vinacea).
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A vinaceous Amazon parrot was found lying on the bottom of its cage and sadly died shortly after. A veterinarian diagnosed the bird with toxoplasmosis, a serious infection caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. During the examination, the vet found severe lung issues, inflammation in the heart, and kidney problems. Unfortunately, despite the diagnosis, the parrot did not survive. This case highlights the risks of toxoplasmosis in birds, especially in endangered species.
People also search for: parrot illness symptoms · toxoplasmosis in birds · why is my parrot lying down · parrot lung infection treatment
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in a vinaceous Amazon parrot based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The bird was prostrate on the bottom of the cage and died. Necropsy revealed edema and congestion of the lungs, cloudy air sacs, and mild hepatomegaly. Histopathology revealed severe pulmonary congestion and edema and interstitial mononuclear cell inflammation associated with many cysts containing bradyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii scattered throughout. The heart had mild multifocal lymphocytic myocarditis and free tachyzoites in the muscle fibers, and the kidneys had mild interstitial nephritis and a few cysts containing bradyzoites of T. gondii. Immunohistochemistry was negative for Sarcocystis falcatula and Neospora caninum and confirmed the protozoa as T. gondii. This is the first description of T. gondii in an endangered species ofa Brazilian psittacine.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23397856/