ASSOCIATION OF NYSTATIN AND SODIUM BENZOATE IN THE TREATMENT OF MACRORHABIDOSE IN COCKATIEL IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL
Keywords:
Avian clinic, alternative therapy, gastrointestinalAbstract
Macrorhabidosis is an infection caused by Macrorhabdus ornithogaster, an opportunistic ascomycete yeast mainly found in the digestive system of birds. Macrorhabidosis presents high morbidity and variable mortality, with death reported more frequently in young and immunosuppressed birds. It can be treated with antifungals; however, resistance to these drugs has been described, which has driven the development of alternative treatments, such as sodium benzoate. This paper presents the first report of macrorhabidosis in cockatiel and describes the treatment protocol, which included nystatin and sodium benzoate and led to complete recovery. A cockatiel with a history of progressive weight loss was treated at a veterinary clinic, and examination showed that it was apathetic, thin, and presented signs of regurgitation. Samples of the ingluvial contents were collected for cytological examination, from which microorganisms compatible with M. ornithogaster were identified. Along with supportive therapy, nystatin-based treatment was administered; however, due to the lack of improvement in clinical conditions, sodium benzoate was added to the protocol. After 21 days of treatment, the bird recovered and a marked reduction of M. ornithogaster in the animal's microbiota was observed. The results suggest that the inclusion of sodium benzoate contributed to the treatment's success.
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