Avian trichomoniasis: a study of lesions and relative prevalence in a variety of captive and free-living bird species as seen in an Australian avian practice.

BACKGROUND: Studies of avian trichomoniasis in the literature are limited to some extent, often being confined to a single bird species or group of species within a bird Order. Some incidence studies have been reported for free-living birds, and occasionally for captive birds. Very few reports describe the prevalence and types of lesions seen for a wide range of bird species, especially from a clinical perspective.

METHODS: Retrospective study of avian practice records from a 10-year period. Emphasis on the types of presentations and relative prevalence of trichomoniasis in a variety of captive and free-living bird species encountered in Australian avian practice.

RESULTS: The occurrence of trichomoniasis in several novel species (lorikeets, corvids and a cuckoo species), plus its distinctive presentation in southern boobook owls (Ninox boobook), is documented.

CONCLUSION: Trichomoniasis should be a differential diagnosis for birds presenting with regurgitation or upper gastrointestinal abscesses, even if motile trichomonads are not found in wet preparations from crop washes or lesions.