Chronic aspergilosis in ostriches (Struthio camelus)
Abstract
Aspergillosis is the most common avian mycoses, usually caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Clinical signs in ostriches include weight loss, lethargy, and dyspnea. Predisposing factors include immunosuppression, malnutrition, unhygienic environmental conditions, pre-existing disease, and prolonged antibiotic therapy. This disease can occur in acute and chronic forms. Therapy is not recommended based on high cost and poor response. The best recommendation is the prevention. The objective of this work was to related the occurrence of chronic aspergillosis in young ostriches, 8-10 months, in a small farm in north of Paraná State, Brazil. The animals were necropsied and samples for subsequent bacteriological and mycological examination. In one ostrich was isolated and identified a mixed infection of E. coli and A. fumigatus, the other ostrich only A. fumigatus. The results indicate that A. fumigatus is an important etiologic agent of respiratory infections of ostriches, and measures to prevent and control this disease should be taken to reduce the economic impact of this disease in the production of ostriches.
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