Giant axonal neuropathy-like disease in an Alexandrine parrot (Psittacula eupatria).
A chronic progressive neurological condition in an Alexandrine parrot (Psittacula eupatria) was manifest as intention tremors, incoordination, and seizure activity. Histology revealed large eosinophilic bodies throughout the central nervous system, and electron microscopy demonstrated that these bodies were greatly expanded axons distended by short filamentous structures that aggregated to form long strands. The presence of periodic acid-Schiff-positive material within the neuronal bodies of Purkinje cells and ganglionic neurons is another distinctive feature of this disease. The histological features of this case display some features consistent with giant axonal neuropathy as reported in humans and dogs. Based on investigation of the lineage in this case, an underlying inherited defect is suspected, but some additional factor appears to have altered the specific disease presentation in this bird.
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia (Stent, Tatarczuch, Summers)Greencross Springvale Animal Hospital, Springvale South, Victoria, Australia (Gosbell) andrew.stent@unimelb.edu.au.
Andrew
A
Stent
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia (Stent, Tatarczuch, Summers)Greencross Springvale Animal Hospital, Springvale South, Victoria, Australia (Gosbell).
Matthew
M
Gosbell
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia (Stent, Tatarczuch, Summers)Greencross Springvale Animal Hospital, Springvale South, Victoria, Australia (Gosbell).
Liliana
L
Tatarczuch
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia (Stent, Tatarczuch, Summers)Greencross Springvale Animal Hospital, Springvale South, Victoria, Australia (Gosbell).
Brian A
BA
Summers
D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D056768:Giant Axonal Neuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000662:veterinary; D010311:Parrots
Avian; degenerative; giant axonal neuropathy; histology; nervous