Possible human-avian transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a green-winged macaw (Ara chloroptera).
This report describes a case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a green-winged macaw (Ara chloroptera), confirmed by microbiologic and pathologic diagnostics, and notes a possible human-avian transmission. Clinical signs included cutaneous swellings, profound leukocytosis, and signs of osteomyelitis in the long bones. Proliferation consisted of several nodules with small greenish-caseous foci in cross-section and revealed a severe granulomatous inflammation with intralesional acid-fast rods. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from subcutaneous nodules and biochemically confirmed. The disease in avian species is of zoonotic importance.
Steinmetz
Hanspeter W
HW
Division of Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Rutz
Corinne
C
Hoop
Richard K
RK
Grest
Paula
P
Bley
Carla Rohrer
CR
Hatt
Jean-Michel
JM
D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010311:Parrots / Q000382:microbiology*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary*