The First Case of Angioinvasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in a Himalayan Griffon Vulture (Gyps Himalayensis)

Abstract

We present the first case of angioinvasive pulmonary aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus in a Himalayan Griffon vulture ( Gyps himalayensis). We describe in detail the clinical, gross, histopathological and mycological findings. Clinical signs of weakness, emaciation, dyspnea, incoordination, and inability to fly were observed in this bird before succumbing to the illness, despite supportive care. Grossly, several yellowish circumscribed, raised, miliary nodules were observed on the surface of lungs, air sac membranes, trachea, pericardium, aorta, pulmonary artery and kidneys. Histologically, granulomatous pneumonia and airsacculitis, and angioinvasion of fungal hyphae were noticed. Aspergillus fumigatus organism was isolated from the lungs and air sacs of the bird. This seems to be the first report of angioinvasive pulmonary aspergillosis in birds of prey, and a rare finding in avian species.