Occurrence and molecular characterisation of respiratory bacterial infections in pet birds: A gender and age-specific analysis

The study examined 76 pet bird carcasses at the Department of Veterinary Pathology, CVAS, Mannuthy. The birds were categorised into four major groups: Psittaciformes, Passeriformes, Columbiformes and Galliformes. It was identified Escherichia coli infections in 16 out of 42 psittacine birds (38.1), 2 out of 7 passerines (28.6), 6 out of 18 columbid birds (33.33), and 4 out of 9 ornamental birds (11.84). Salmonella Typhimurium was detected in 28.6 of both psittacine and passerine birds, while 22.2 in columbid and ornamental birds tested positive. Pasteurella spp. was detected in 28.6 of both psittacine and passerine birds, and 16.7 in columbid birds. Mycoplasma spp. infections were detected in 11.84 of 76 birds, with psittacine and passerine birds showing positivity rates of 7.1 and 42.1, respectively. Chlamydia spp. infections were detected in 23.68 of psittacine birds, 28.6 in columbid birds, and 11.1 in ornamental chickens. The occurrence of E. coli infection was the highest in adult passerine birds (50), and lowest in adult psittacine birds (18.18). Infection with S. typhimurium was diagnosed in nestling psittacine birds, with no infections in nestling ornamental birds (35.48). Pasteurella spp. was detected in 100 of adult passerine birds, while no infections were found in ornamental chickens. Mycoplasma spp. was observed in nestling passerine birds, with no infections detected in adult psittacine, passerine, columbid or ornamental birds.