Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Kidney and cloaca infection by Cryptosporidium in Major Mitchell's
By Curtiss, Jeffrey B et al.·Published in Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians·2015·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: RENAL AND CLOACAL CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS (CRYPTOSPORIDIUM AVIAN GENOTYPE V) IN A MAJOR MITCHELL'S COCKATOO (LOPHOCHROA LEADBEATERI).
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old male Major Mitchell's cockatoo was brought in because he was lethargic and not eating. The vet found that he had lost weight and had a cloacal prolapse, which is when part of the cloaca (the opening for waste) protrudes. Despite receiving intravenous fluids and antibiotics, the bird's condition worsened, and he sadly passed away a few days later. A thorough examination revealed severe kidney issues and an infection caused by a type of protozoa called Cryptosporidium, which was confirmed through testing. This case is notable as it marks the first reported instance of this specific type of Cryptosporidium causing illness in birds.
People also search for: cockatoo lethargy not eating · cloacal prolapse in birds · Cryptosporidium infection in birds
Abstract
A 7-yr-old male Major Mitchell's cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri) presented with a recent history of lethargy and anorexia. Physical examination revealed poor body condition and cloacal prolapse. Abnormalities on serum chemistry included severe hyperuricemia and hyperphosphatemia with a low calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. Symptomatic treatment was initiated including intravenous fluids and antibiotics. The bird continued to decline and died within a few days. Visceral gout and renal and cloacal pathology were observed on gross necropsy. Histopathology revealed chronic inflammation within the kidney, ureter, and cloaca in association with protozoal organisms and an invasive cloacal adenocarcinoma tumor. The location and morphology was consistent with Cryptosporidium sp., confirmed by immunohistochemistry and molecular testing. Direct sequencing identified Cryptosporidium avian genotype V. To the author's knowledge, this is the first reported infection of Cryptosporidium avian genotype V associated with clinical disease in birds and the first renal Cryptosporidium infection in a psittacine.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26667555/