Avian Mycobacteriosis in a rescued harpy eagle from Darien Forest, Panama
Rengifo-Herrera, Claudia del CarmenHerrera, Julio César ReyesMagaña, Angie MarieAcosta, FermínPonder, JuliaGoodridge, Amador
Background: The Harpy eagle (Harpia harpyia) is the largest raptor in the Neotropical region, distributed in low densities within primary forest habitats from southern Mexico to east-central Brazil, including Central America and Panama.Although locally extinct due to habitat degradation, human poaching and reduction of tropical forests in recent decades,some remnant populations are known to be small and isolated. Thus, information on its ecology, including infectiousdiseases, is critical for conservation efforts and management of populations of this emblematic species in the wild. AvianMycobacteriosis (AM) is a chronic disease affecting a wide range of birds and mammals and clinical cases have beensporadically reported, although in harpy eagles, has not been documented. In addition, scant information exists on pathologies affecting raptors, therefore, this report expands the knowledge on infectious diseases affecting wild birds. This studydescribes the first case of AM in an immature harpy eagle rescued from Darien gap and presents details of the clinicalmanifestation of the disease and its histological findings.Case: An immature harpy eagle was presented to a rescue center after being confiscated by Ministry of Environmentfrom a local farm in a remote region of Eastern Panama, in the Darien gap. The raptor had a history of having been keptin captivity for approximately five weeks, cohabiting with backyard poultry and fed corn, raw duck and chicken providedby farm owners. Stagnant water was offered for drinking. The harpy eagle arrived to the facility very lethargic and emaciated. Physical examination revealed damaged plumage, poor body condition and dyspnea. Complete blood count revealedanemia and leukocytosis based on lymphocytosis and eosinophilia. Biochemical profile evidenced an increased level ofaspartate aminotransferase (AST), phosphorus and total plasma protein. Most remarkable radiographic findings weresplenomegaly...(AU)
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