CASE REPORT: SUSPECTED BOTULISM IN A BLACK-FACED SPOONBILL {PL AT ALE A MINOR)

摘要

Numerous cases of black-faced spoonbills (Platalea minor) showing signs of limberneck and flaccid paralysis of the legs and wings were suspected to be suffering from botulism by veterinarians in Tainan County, Taiwan from February to March in 2015. Most of the sick birds completely recovered and were successfully released following treatment with antiserum to botulinum toxin type C. However, 10 remaining spoonbills still suffered from curled claws and stood on the tarsometatarsal joints. They were transferred to the Endemic Species Research Institute for further treatment. One of the birds showed elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) and uric acid, along with swollen kidneys observed in radiographs. The bird eventually died, allowing for further examination. At necropsy, fungal plaques and caseous nodules were also present in the lungs, pleura and adjacent air sacs. Microscopically, Aspergillus spp. were evident in the plaques and caseous nodules. In addition, mural endocarditis in the aortic intima associated with the aspergillosis was also present. Thus, the final diagnosis was suspected botulism with respiratory and systemic aspergillosis.