Aspergilozy u dzikich ptaków. Część II. Patogeneza, diagnostyka i leczenie

Aspergillosis holds a very special place in veterinary and human medicine, because it is the main type of mycoses, affecting birds and mammals, including humans. The objective of this review was to synthesize the current knowledge of aspergillosis in wild avifauna in the context of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of this infection. Aspergillosis typically occurs after inhalation of ubiquitously available spores, but localized infections of the eye or skin are also possible. Acute disease may occur following exposure to a substantial number of spores from a point source. The more chronic forms are slowly progressing infections that affect birds showing some degree of immunodeficiency and may result from regular inhalation of spores. Aspergillosis usually presents with the development of progressive and severe dyspnea with gasping, accelerated openmouth breathing, tail bobbing, and sometimes a non-productive cough. Gurgle, rales, or wheezy sounds and a change in the voice may be heard in cases of mycotic tracheitis. Treatment of avian aspergillosis, when possible, is not always successful because of the often advanced stage of the disease when the diagnosis is confirmed, the lack of pharmacokinetic data on antifungal drugs in most avian species, the failure of drugs to penetrate target tissues, and the frequent presence of concurrent diseases and immunosuppression. An oral solution of itraconazole has recently been registered as the first antifungal product for ornamental birds in Europe. Moreover, aspergillosis prevention measures are based on two main axes: controlling the level of exposure and minimizing the stressors.