Spironucleus meleagridis linked to gut disease in pet cockatiels

Abstract

A flagellated enteric diplomonad protozoan consistent with Spironucleus meleagridis (formerly Hexamita meleagridis) associated with gastrointestinal disease and mortality in psittacine birds including cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) has been sporadically described in the literature. However, molecular characterization of psittacine protozoal isolates had not yet been performed. The 16S rRNA gene from a protozoan persistently shed in the feces in a small group of cockatiels demonstrated a 98% molecular identity with S. meleagridis isolated from turkeys. Based on these sequence data, a diagnostic PCR assay was developed to detect the presence of S. meleagridis. Nineteen privately owned pet cockatiels from unrelated households were clinically evaluated. All birds microscopically positive for this organism were PCR positive, with several additional birds microscopically negative but PCR positive. Many of the birds identified as positive for S. meleagridis by fecal PCR had signs of gastrointestinal disease such as diarrhea, soft feces, and melena, whereas none of the birds that tested negative had gastrointestinal signs. Examination of feces from two unrelated cockatiel breeding facilities revealed 70% and 86% PCR positive rates. Prevalence of infection and incidence of clinical disease, including factors that lead to clinical manifestation such as viral, bacterial, or mycotic coinfections, are not yet known and warrant further study, but spironucleosis is likely an under-recognized disease in cockatiels.