Mycotic Pneumonia in a Captive Pigeon Due to Aspergillus Fumigatus

1185 Abstract The etiologic significance of Aspergillus fumigatus, a saprobic organism, has been described in a young pigeon which died due to severe respiratory distress. The fungus was easily demonstrated in the pneumonic lung both by cultural isolation as well as direct microscopy. The bird was kept in captivity and was given mouldy feed. Epidemiological investigation revealed the high concentration of Aspergillus fumigatus in the feed as well as inside the wooden cage. The treatment could not be attempted as the diagnosis was made on post-mortem examination. The growing role of Aspergillus fumigatus as an important opportunistic pathogen should be investigated particularly in the compromised host.