Development and validation of 2 probe-hybridization quantitative PCR assays for rapid detection of a pathogenic species in captive psittacines.

Avian coxiellosis is an emerging cause of morbidity and mortality among captive psittacines, and the utility of a rapid detection test using easily obtained samples is paramount in a clinical setting. New sequences were obtained from 3 genes: , and . We developed probe-hybridization quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays using and genes. Samples, including splenic aspirates, liver aspirates, whole blood, and choanal, conjunctival, and cloacal swabs, were collected from 4 psittacine species including 3 blue-and-gold macaws (), 2 scarlet-chested parrots (), 1 Timneh African grey parrot (), and 1 yellow-naped Amazon parrot (). Retrospective review of postmortem findings from 3 of these psittacines included splenomegaly, hepatitis, and/or transmission electron microscopy confirmation consistent with previous reports of avian coxiellosis. There was 100% agreement between these assays and consensus PCR with sequencing. A Wilcoxon rank-sum test found a strong correlation between and cycle threshold values ( < 0.001), validating these assays for detection of this avian sp.