title: Diagnosis and successful treatment of a presumptive case of aspergillosis in a Micronesian kingfisher (Halcyon cinnamomina cinnamomina).
abstract: A 4-yr-old male Micronesian kingfisher was suspected of having an aspergillus infection. The infection was thought to be related to stress associated with movement to a new enclosure/exhibit and cage-mate aggression. The diagnosis was based on an elevated white cell count, positive antibody and antigen aspergillus titers, and abnormal plasma protein electrophoresis characterized by a moderate elevation of alpha2 and severe elevation on the beta protein fractions. The bird was treated with antifungal medication administered systemically and by nebulization for 10 wk. Response to treatment was monitored by serial white cell counts and plasma electrophoresis. Clinical improvement in this bird was correlated with a return of the white blood cell count to normal levels and what was considered a normal protein electrophoresis distribution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Health, Smithsonian National Zoological Park, 3001Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008, USA.
authors.forename: Carlos R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Suzan Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000583:Amikacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000097:blood; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D001717:Birds; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003022:Clotrimazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004586:Electrophoresis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D017964:Itraconazole; D000583:Amikacin; D003022:Clotrimazole; D002437:Cefazolin