Microsporidia in exotic birds: Intermittent spore excretion of Encephalitozoon spp. in naturally infected budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

0342874 - BC 2011 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Sak, Bohumil - Kašičková, D. - Kváč, Martin - Květoňová, D. - Ditrich, Oleg
Microsporidia in exotic birds: Intermittent spore excretion of Encephalitozoon spp. in naturally infected budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus).
Veterinary Parasitology. Roč. 168, 3/4 (2010), s. 196-200. ISSN 0304-4017. E-ISSN 1873-2550
R&D Projects: GA AV ČR KJB500960701; GA ČR GP523/07/P117
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60220518
Keywords : budgerigars * Melopsittacus undulatus * Encephalitozoon spp. * PCR
Subject RIV: GJ - Animal Vermins ; Diseases, Veterinary Medicine
Impact factor: 2.331, year: 2010

Nine naturally infected asymptomatic budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) were screened daily for microsporidia spore excretion during a 30-day period and the localization of infection was evaluated. While the microscopic examination revealed 2.4% positivity out of all fecal samples, using PCR the positivity was 10x higher (24.6%). All nine budgerigars excreted microsporidial spores intermittently in irregular intervals with 1-11-day long interruptions. Most of the birds were infected simultaneously with Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Encephalitozoon hellem. While histological and TEM examination failed to confirm the presence of microsporidial spores in tissues, the PCR detected microsporidial DNA mostly in the small intestine, liver and lungs of four selected budgerigars dissected. Despite the chronic infection proved using molecular methods, no clinical signs of disease were observed during monitoring and no pathological findings were found during dissection.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0185487