Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
West Nile virus infection causing seizures in a sun conure bird
By Carboni, Deborah A et al.·Published in Journal of avian medicine and surgery·2008·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: West Nile virus infection in a sun conure (Aratinga solstitialis).
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old sun conure was brought to the vet because it was very weak, lethargic, and had seizures when handled. Despite supportive care and various tests, the bird's condition worsened over two weeks, leading to the difficult decision of euthanasia. A necropsy revealed signs of West Nile virus in the brain tissue, confirming the cause of the bird's symptoms. Unfortunately, the conure did not recover, and the virus was only identified after death.
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Abstract
A 2-year-old sun conure (Aratinga solstitialis) was examined because of acute lethargy and depression. Physical examination revealed severe weakness with ventroflexion of the head and neck and seizure episodes precipitated by handling. Empirical and supportive care was instituted, and serial diagnostic testing revealed no specific diagnosis or etiology. Antemortem test results for West Nile virus were negative. After 2 weeks of a deteriorating clinical condition, euthanasia was elected and necropsy was performed. Gross examination revealed no significant lesions; however, histologic examination of brain tissue revealed perivascular cuffing of mononuclear inflammatory cells in the cerebrum and mild perivascular, lymphocytic, and plasmacytic infiltrates scattered in the grey matter of the cervical spinal cord. Viral isolation of brain tissue was positive for West Nile virus.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19014098/