New Findings in Veterinary Microbiology

New Findings in Veterinary Microbiology

Molecular identification of Macrorhabdus ornithogaster in companion bird

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Fateme Hamian 1
Nariman Sheikhi 2
Gholamreza Nikbakht Brujeni 3
Saeid Charkhkar 2
1 Ph.D. Student in Avian Hygiene and Medicine, Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/nfvm.2025.426402.1215
Abstract
Macrorhabdosis, also known as Megabacteriosis, is a wasting disease in birds caused by the fungus Macrorhabdus ornithogaster. This study aimed to detect the fungus using PCR from the feces of birds showing clinical signs of infection, and to perform a phylogenetic analysis of the collected isolates. In this study, 54 positive samples were detected among the 300 suspicious birds referred to the wet smear method. Subsequently, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was employed for the final diagnosis. Positive samples were then subjected to PCR analysis using panfungal primers. For phylogenetic evaluation, 15 samples were sequenced, and the resulting sequences were compared with entries in the World GeneBank to assess their similarity and overlap. A total of 300 stool samples were subjected to analysis using the wet smear technique, of which 54 were found to be positive. Furthermore, 33 samples were identified as positive using the PCR method. Sequencing revealed the presence of M. ornithogaster in only two samples from lovebirds. Phylogenetic analysis showed an 86.76%-100% similarity between the isolates from budgerigars and finches and sequences recorded in the NCBI database. These findings highlight that PCR is an effective diagnostic tool for M. ornithogaster due to its speed, accuracy, and sensitivity.
Keywords
Macrorhabdus ornithogaster
companion birds
phylogenies

Subjects

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New Findings in Veterinary Microbiology
Volume 7, Issue 2
December 2024
Pages 72-81

  • Receive Date 25 November 2023
  • Revise Date 03 December 2024
  • Accept Date 05 January 2025