Pulmonary tuberculosis in a sulfur-crested cockatoo.

An adult, female sulfur-crested cockatoo (Kakatoe sp) was examined because of dyspnea associated with hemoptysis. On radiographic examination there was a large cystic pulmonary mass that, on aspiration, was found to contain thick sanguineous fluid. Ziehl-Neelsen staining of aspirate smears revealed numerous acid-fast organisms. Gross necropsy and microscopic findings suggested a diagnosis of tuberculosis, with primary focus of infection in the pulmonary tissues. Bacteriologic isolation and typing confirmed a diagnosis of tuberculosis and established Mycobacterium avium as the etiologic agent.