Pulmonary Aspergillosis in an Adult Male Ostrich (Struthio camelus): A Case Report

Abstract

An adult male ostrich (Struthio camelus) had become anorexic and emaciated over a period of 10-days and died subsequently. Necropsy revealed numerous yellowish nodules in the lungs and in markedly thickened, opaque thoracic air sacs. There were also subepicardial and intestinal haemorrhages. The liver and spleen were moderately enlarged and congested. Histologically, the pulmonary lesions were consistent with granulomatous pneumonia due to a mycotic agent. Numerous branching, septate fungal hyphae within pulmonary granulomata were observed histologically. Aspergillus flavus was isolated from the pulmonary nodules. This is an established case of fatal Aspergillus flavus infection in an adult male ostrich reared in Nigeria.

Keywords: Aspergillus flavus, Pulmonary aspergillosis, Granulomata, Ostrich.