Macrorhabdus ornithogaster, also known by the common name avian gastric yeast, is an infectious fungus usually found in the digestive systems of birds, causing a number of health complications. Formerly believed to be a bacterium, it has been determined to be a yeast.[1]
| Macrorhabdus ornithogaster | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Division: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | M. ornithogaster
|
| Binomial name | |
| Macrorhabdus ornithogaster | |
Symptoms
editThe fungus affects a wide variety of bird species, from budgerigars to ostriches. Affected birds typically lose weight and die from malnourishment related complications, although in some cases death can be more sudden as a result of vomiting or choking.[2] Detection is usually made through microscopic inspection of the bird's stool, although not all affected birds pass the fungus all the way through their digestive systems.[3]
Treatment
editBirds are typically treated by being given amphotericin over a period of days; a regular dosage being required in order to eliminate the fungus.[2] It can be challenging to remove infection from a flock completely due to reinfection and inconsistent treatment dosing (FOr example, medication given in communal water).
References
edit- ^ Tomaszewski, Elizabeth; Snowden, K; Phalen, D (2001). "The Whipple paradox: megabacteria exposed as fungi". 2001 Annual Conference of the Association of Avian Veterinarians.
- ^ a b "Avian Gastric Yeast" (PDF). Department of the Environment and Energy, Government of Australia. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ^ Doneley, Bob (2016). Avian Medicine and Surgery in Practice: Companion and Aviary Birds. CRC Press. p. 160. ISBN 9781482260199.