Concomitant mycotic and verminous pneumonia in a blue jay from Georgia

Abstract

An emaciated, moribund, male blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) was collected in Georgia (USA) and died shortly after capture. Necropsy revealed nine large nematodes identified as Diplotriaena tricuspis in the thoracic and abdominal air sacs and within the pericardial sac. Multiple mycotic granulomas also were observed in the lungs and air sacs, and fungal culture of these lesions yielded pure growth of Aspergillus fumigatus. Histologic examination of the lungs revealed disseminated granulomatous inflammation containing both larvated nematode eggs and abundant fungal hyphae. This is the first description of concomitant A. fumigatus and D. tricuspis infection in a bird.