Infectious diseases in wild and exotic birds in Paraíba State, Northeast Brazil

Doenças infecciosas em aves silvestres e exóticas na Paraíba

Wild and exotic birds play a pivotal role in the zoonotic transmission of various infectious diseases. As reservoirs for a diverse array of infectious agents, their interaction with domestic animals can facilitate the spread of diseases, emphasizing their importance in certain disease cycles. This study describes the occurrence of infectious diseases diagnosed in Paraíba from 2013 to 2018. Out of 189 wild birds necropsied, 50 (26.45%) had infectious diseases. Bacterial infections were the most prevalent, accounting for 38 (76%) cases, followed by fungi, with 10 (20%) affected birds, and lastly, protozoa with two (4%) cases. The most affected species included the blue-fronted amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva), red-shouldered macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis), Harris’s hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), and saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola), respectively. The predominance of bacterial diseases was often associated with secondary infections resulting from debilitating conditions such as trauma or bronchoaspiration. Chronic aspergillosis emerged as the primary fungal disease, observed in various tissues and often linked to management failures and stress. Other fungal infections were predominantly suggestive of Candida sp. The presence of protozoa was limited to Sarcocystis sp. infections in two birds with no clinical signs, but they were responsible for the death of the birds. This survey reinforces the significance of bacterial, fungal and protozoan pathogens in wild birds and highlights the need for accurate diagnostic descriptions in these species. Accordingly, the birds in this survey are considered susceptible to the infections detailed herein.

INDEX TERMS:
Bacteria; fungi; protozoa; aspergillosis; Sarcocystis sp.; immunohistochemistry