Flanders Alison J, Rosenberg Justin F, Bercier Marjorie, Leissinger Mary K, Black Laura J, Giglio Robson F, Craft Serena L M, Zoll Whitney M, Childress April L, Wellehan James F X
J Avian Med Surg. 2017 Dec;31(4):364-372. doi: 10.1647/2016-224.
A 15-year-old female blue and gold macaw ( Ara ararauna) was presented for evaluation after being found laterally recumbent, reluctant to move, and lethargic. Results of a complete blood count showed an increased number of immature heterophils with increased cytoplasmic basophilia and degranulation and the presence of a left shift. Radiographs and a computed tomography scan were performed and revealed a markedly enlarged spleen. An ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirate of the spleen was submitted for cytologic examination and aerobic bacterial culture. While the culture revealed no growth, cytologic examination identified mononuclear phagocytes with cytoplasmic vacuoles containing structures consistent with bacteria. Pan-bacterial 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction of the splenic sample followed by direct sequencing identified a Coxiella-like agent identical to one previously isolated in the liver of a golden-mantled rosella ( Platycercus eximius). Phylogenetic analysis shows that avian coxiellosis agents and Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever, represent 2 independent events of development of vertebrate pathogenicity in this group of tick endosymbionts. This report suggests diagnostic and treatment directions for coxiellosis in avian patients and indicates where further study is needed.
一只15岁的雌性蓝黄金刚鹦鹉（Ara ararauna）在被发现侧卧、不愿活动且嗜睡后前来接受评估。全血细胞计数结果显示未成熟嗜中性粒细胞数量增加，细胞质嗜碱性增强且出现脱颗粒现象，并有核左移。进行了X光片和计算机断层扫描，结果显示脾脏明显肿大。对脾脏进行了超声引导下细针穿刺抽吸，送检进行细胞学检查和需氧细菌培养。虽然培养结果显示无细菌生长，但细胞学检查发现单核吞噬细胞的细胞质空泡中含有与细菌一致的结构。对脾脏样本进行泛细菌16S rRNA聚合酶链反应，随后直接测序，鉴定出一种与先前在金披风玫瑰鹦鹉（Platycercus eximius）肝脏中分离出的类似柯克斯体的病原体。系统发育分析表明，禽柯克斯体病病原体和Q热病原体伯纳特柯克斯体在这组蜱内共生菌中代表了脊椎动物致病性发展的两个独立事件。本报告提出了禽柯克斯体病患者的诊断和治疗方向，并指出了需要进一步研究的方向。
