Diagnosis of Aspergillus in American Rhea pigeons (rhea)

Abstract

Necropsies og 46 Rhea chicks of between 5 and 15 days of age, coming fro 3 breeding farms of the specie Rhea americana have been done. The previous signs and symptoms, as well as the wide variety of lesions found in air sacs and lungs, are compatible with those caused by fungus belonging to the Aspergillus genus. Samples from the lesions were taken, placed and smashed on an object-holder and treated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) at a concentration of 20% during 30 minutes. The confirmation of the diagnosis was done through visualisation under optic microscope of formations compatible with those typical of Aspergillus, taken directly from the lesions in the affected animals. The fungus was also recovered on artificial media from typical lesions present in affected organs.