Megabacteria (Macrorhabdus ornithogaster) in psittacids kept in commercial establishments in the municipality of Uberaba - MG

Abstract

Megabacteriosis is a disease that affects some species of birds, having as etiological agent Macrorhabdus ornithogaster, a gram positive microorganism of bacillary form and with characteristics of fungus, being classified as an anamorphic asymmetric fungus. It is an opportunistic agent that becomes pathogenic in cases of immunosuppression, thus manifesting its clinical form, which varies greatly according to each animal, which can lead to death. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of megabacteria in psittacids kept in commercial establishments in the municipality of Uberaba, state of Minas Gerais, associated with the conditions of breeding. For this, samples of secretions of the ventricle and proventriculus of 71 birds were collected, among them Nymphicus hollandicus (n = 33), Melopsittacus undulatus (n = 31), Agapornis roseicollis (n=4) Bolborhynchus lineola (n = 3) and transferred to glass slides. The samples were sent to the Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine of the Veterinary Hospital of Uberaba, to investigate the pathogen. After staining of the slides by Gram, it can be noticed the presence of the microorganism in 35.2% of the birds analyzed. The prevalence among the Cockatiels, Budgerigars, Lovebirds and Barred parakeet were respectively: 42.4% (14/19), 29.0% (9/22), 50.0% (2/4) and 0% (0/3). In this context, it can be concluded that Macrorhabdus ornithogaster is common among birds, especially among cockatiels and the incorrect handling of the animals may be the cause of the high prevalence. Commercial establishments were observed as conditions of cages, quality of drinking fountains and feeders, amount of feces in the cage and number of animals per inadequate cage.