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Vet Pathol 45:247-254 (2008)
© 2008 American College of Veterinary Pathologists
WILDLIFE, MARINE, AND ZOO ANIMALS

Fatal Coxiellosis in Swainson's Blue Mountain Rainbow Lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus moluccanus)

A. M. Woc-Colburn, M. M. Garner, D. Bradway, G. West, J. D'Agostino, J. Trupkiewicz, B. Barr, S. E. Anderson, F. R. Rurangirwa and R. W. Nordhausen

Oklahoma City Zoo, Oklahoma City, OK (AMWC, GW, JD), Northwest ZooPath, Monroe, WA (MMG, JT), Electron Microscopy Laboratory, California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA (RWN), and Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Washington State University, Pullman, WA (DB, SEA, FRR)

Abstract

Three Swainson's Blue Mountain Rainbow Lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus moluccanus), ranging from 6 to 8 months of age, presented with lethargy, emaciation, and progressive neurologic signs. The first one died 24 hours after the onset of clinical signs, and the other two were euthanized 10 to 14 days after the onset of progressive neurologic disease. Clinical signs in these lorikeets included head pressing, hemiparesis, seizures, obtunded mentation, weakness, and lethargy. Two of the lorikeets had hepatomegaly, and one had splenomegaly on gross examination. Histopathology revealed disseminated microgranulomas in the liver, spleen, and brain, and lymphohistocytic perivascular encephalitis and cephalic vasculitis. Electron microscopic examination of macrophages in brain lesions revealed spherical to rod-shaped prokaryotic organisms with a trilaminar cell wall. Molecular analysis revealed a novel species of Coxiella. This is believed to be the first report of a Coxiella sp. causing disease in a lorikeet.

Key words: 16S rRNA gene sequence; Coxiella; encephalitis; hepatitis; Lorikeets; microgranuloma.

Request reprints from M M Garner, 654 W. Main, Monroe, WA 98296 (USA). E-mail: zoopath{at}aol.com






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