Biology:Macrorhabdus
Macrorhabdus ornithogaster, also known by the common name avian gastric yeast, is an infectious fungus usually found in the digestive systems of birds, causing a number of health complications. Formerly believed to be a bacterium, it has been determined to be a yeast.[1] It is the only species in the genus Macrorhabdus.[2]
Symptoms
The fungus affects a wide variety of bird species, from budgerigars to ostriches. Affected birds typically lose weight and die from malnourishment related complications, although in some cases death can be more sudden as a result of vomiting or choking.[3] Detection is usually made through microscopic inspection of the bird's stool, although not all affected birds pass the fungus all the way through their digestive systems.[4]
Treatment
Birds are typically treated by being given amphotericin over a period of days; a regular dosage being required in order to eliminate the fungus.[3] It can be challenging to remove infection from a flock completely due to reinfection and inconsistent treatment dosing (for example, medication given in communal water).
References
- ↑ Tomaszewski, Elizabeth; Snowden, K; Phalen, D (2001). "The Whipple paradox: megabacteria exposed as fungi". 2001 Annual Conference of the Association of Avian Veterinarians.
- ↑ "Macrorhabdus Tomasz., Logan, Snowden, Kurtzman & Phalen". Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/5JMT.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Avian Gastric Yeast". Department of the Environment and Energy, Government of Australia. https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/ecc30ec4-f63e-4ef7-8662-35d9ddcb4a36/files/avian-gastric-yeast.pdf. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ↑ Doneley, Bob (2016). Avian Medicine and Surgery in Practice: Companion and Aviary Birds. CRC Press. p. 160. ISBN 9781482260199.
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