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The Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata) has been raised in captivity for over a hundred years, but their susceptibility to infectious disease is very poorly documented. The macroscopic, histopathologic, and ultrastructural changes in the respiratory tract of nine Great Blue Turacos (Corythaeola cristata) who died in captivity were investigated. Macroscopically diffuse granulomatous lesions were observed in the lung and the associated air sacs, with a grey-greenish mold on their inner surface. Histopathologic examination revealed widespread necrosis in the lungs associated with vasculitis. Microthrombi were observed in the blood vessels suggesting disseminating intravascular coagulation. Intra-alveolar hemorrhage and infiltration with macrophages, plasma cells, epithelioid cells, and multinucleate giant cells were observed. PAS staining showed hyphae and conidia, While, Ziehl-Neelsen stain was negative. Transmission electron microcopy examination revealed the presence of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia invading the pulmonary tissue as semilunar spores within the alveolar macrophages. Lysosomal degranulation was also observed in association with fragmented spores suggesting active phagocyosis. Awareness of this condition might improve the rapid and appropriate treatment of exotic birds kept in captivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flamingo mortalities recorded in Egypt were investigated using parasitological, light, and transmission electron microscopy. During the period 2009-2014, a total of 27 flamingos were examined. Traumatic Myopathy recorded in the major cases 20 cases of 27which appeared as pectrol, superficial and deep leg muscles heamatoma, pulmonary congestion and oedema, swollen kidneys, with a dark cortex. In addition to hepatocellular necrosis and dilatation of liver sinusoids, loss of the glomerular tuft cellularity and necrosis of the proximal convoluted tubules. Sarcosyts (n=2) were observe in the esophagus and intestinal wall of two birds. Blood films stained with Glemsa stain showed the presence of trypanosome sp (one case) between the blood cells. Ehrichlia organism (n=20) in the cytoplasm of monocytes. Ehrichlia organisms were identified as· vacuole micro-colonies (morula) in the spleen and the intestinal muscularis mucosal layer by Transmission electron microscopy. Flamnigolepis liguloides, cestodes (Hymenlopididae) was detected and identified. These cestodes resulted in massive necrosis of intestinal mucosa. Intestinal coccidiosis (n=7) showed severe tissue damage, necrosis and disintegration of glandular epithelial cells, hemorrhage in the sub-mucosa and plenty of schizonts and oocysts. Tetrameriasis were observed in the proventriculs of all birds (n=27) and resulted in atrophy of the proventriculus. Flamingo wing louse was identified as Anaticola phoenicopteri and recorded in all cases (n=27). Amyloidosis recorded in all cases which appeared as Focal amyloidosis of the spleen and associated with spontaneous splenic rupture and suggested altered immune function occurred. It was concluded that the mortality of the migratory flamingo related to multifactorial agents started from the presence of stress, blood parasites, intestinal parasites resulted in several alterations in tissues to be the main causes of mortalities. Moreover, it is reconunended to improve their European habitat before migration in order to minimize mortalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]