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Aspergillosis in a gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) in Saudi Arabia

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Abstract

A mixed case of chronic tracheal (syringeal) and pulmonary (lungs and air sacs) aspergillosis was diagnosed in an adult female gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus). The bird presented with a 4-week history of severe dyspnea, exercise intolerance, depression and reduced appetite. Physical examination revealed slight emaciation. Hematological analysis showed leucocytosis, heterophilia, monocytosis, and thrombocytosis. Radiographic examination showed thickening of the air sac walls and increased radiopacity within the lung field. Caseous granulomatous lesions were observed during tracheoscopy and laparoscopy procedures. Cytological examination of specimens obtained from these lesions demonstrated Aspergillus species, which was isolated in culture and identified as Aspergillus flavus.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Mr. Hadi Al-Ajmi, Director General, and Mr. Nasser Al-Ajmi, Public Relations Officer of the Fahad Bin Sultan Falcon Center for their continuous interest and support of the clinical and research program. Thanks are also extended to the staff of the center for their clinical and laboratory assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Falcon Medical and Research Hospital, Fahad Bin Sultan Falcon Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Mohammed A. Rahim

  2. College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum North, Sudan

    Amel O. Bakhiet

  3. Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

    Mansour F. Hussein

Authors
  1. Mohammed A. Rahim
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  2. Amel O. Bakhiet
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  3. Mansour F. Hussein
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Correspondence to Mansour F. Hussein.

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Rahim, M.A., Bakhiet, A.O. & Hussein, M.F. Aspergillosis in a gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) in Saudi Arabia. Comp Clin Pathol 22, 131–135 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-012-1615-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-012-1615-2

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