van Zeeland Y R A, Schoemaker N J, Kik M J L, van der Giessend J W B
Division of Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Avian Dis. 2008 Jun;52(2):357-63. doi: 10.1637/8121-100207-Case.1.
Three mixed-bred raptors (Falco rusticolus x Falco cherrug) from a German falcon breeder were presented with a history of respiratory distress. In one bird a laryngeal stridor was noted, and oral examination revealed an epiglottal swelling. In the other two birds, nasal discharge and sneezing were the main clinical symptoms. Nasal flushing samples and biopsies were collected for pathologic, bacteriologic, and parasitologic examination. Results confirmed a cryptosporidial infection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA analysis identified the causative agent to be Cryptosporidium baileyi. No cryptosporidia were detected in fecal samples, indicating the infection was confined to the respiratory system. Analysis of prey animals (pigeons, quail) failed to identify the source of infection. Treatment was initiated with paromomycin in all three birds, whereas in two birds an additional therapy with azithromycin was given. However, no clinical improvement was seen after several weeks of treatment, and the birds either died or were euthanatized. To the authors' knowledge, these are the first confirmed cases of disease caused by cryptosporidia in the order of Falconiformes.
来自德国一位猎鹰饲养者的三只混血猛禽（矛隼×草原雕）出现了呼吸窘迫病史。其中一只鸟出现喉喘鸣，口腔检查发现会厌肿胀。另外两只鸟的主要临床症状是鼻分泌物增多和打喷嚏。采集了鼻腔冲洗样本和活检组织进行病理、细菌学和寄生虫学检查。结果证实为隐孢子虫感染。聚合酶链反应（PCR）和DNA分析确定病原体为贝氏隐孢子虫。粪便样本中未检测到隐孢子虫，表明感染局限于呼吸系统。对猎物动物（鸽子、鹌鹑）的分析未能确定感染源。三只鸟均开始用巴龙霉素治疗，其中两只鸟还额外使用了阿奇霉素治疗。然而，经过数周治疗后未见临床改善，这些鸟要么死亡，要么被安乐死。据作者所知，这些是隼形目动物中首例确诊的由隐孢子虫引起的疾病病例。
