Nocardiosis in a tui (Prosthemadera novazeelandiae)

Authors: Suepaul RB, Alley MR
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 55, Issue 1, pp 50, Feb 2007
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Avian, Wildlife
Subject Terms: Diagnostic procedures, Bacterial, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Pathology
Article class: Abstract

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Abstract: Nocardiosis of birds in New Zealand is not common and is usually a respiratory disease which has a similar gross appearance to aspergillosis. When an adult tui (Prosthemadera novazeelandiae) was found in poor condition in a garden in the Manawatu district and several firm nodules were observed in the skin of the wing and thorax it was suspected to have aspergillosis and was euthanised. Post-mortem examination revealed that the nodules were disseminated granulomas and they were also present in the subcutaneous tissues, muscle, lung, liver, kidney and serosal surface of the ileum. Histologically, their appearance was typical of heterophil granulomas and they displayed varying degrees of fibrous encapsulation, indicating chronic infection. A Gram-positive, branching, beaded, filamentous bacterial organism resembling Nocardia sp was identified at the periphery of the necrotic centres of all the granulomas sectioned. The severe degree of fibrous encapsulation of the skin lesion on the wing together with the nature and distribution of the lesions elsewhere in the body suggested that the route of entry of the organism in this case was through a wound in the skin of the wing.

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