Pathological changes in cockatoos (Cacatua alba) naturally infected with psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD)

Abstract

This paper describes the signs and post-mortem findings in sixteen cockatoos that were naturally infected with Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) virus pcittacine circovims). The examination of the general outer body condition showed beak surface irregularity and feather loss with skin discoloration, while the internal organs showed various changes such as hydrapericardium, liver paling, spleen mottling and various degrees of enteritis. Microscopic examination of tissues and organs obtained at necmpsy revealed purple globular inclusion bodies within the nucleus of the feather pulp epidermis and cytoplasm af the feather pulp rnacrophages, crypt's epithelium of the intestine and within some lymphoid cells of the spleen and Bursa Fabriclous among the young bids. Some additional findings observed, included blood microfilarisis, inclusion bodies of Pachm's disease, intestinal cestode and blood parasites.