Clostridial enteritis in free‐living lorikeets(Trichoglossusspp.)

Numerous free-living lorikeets (Trichoglossus spp.) in 19 flocks in eastern Australia either developed diarrhoea, depression and died or were found dead. Grossly, the duodenum and jejunum of affected birds were enlarged and haemorrhagic with yellow, necrotic mucusa. Histological examination of affected intestines revealed acute necrosis and oedema of villous structures, with vascular congestion, haemorrhage and a moderate infiltration of heterophils and lymphocytes. Gram-stained sections of affected intestines revealed numerous Gram-positive bacilli at the brush border. Anaerobic bacteriological culture of selected intestines revealed Clostridium species in profuse growths. Gas-liquid chromatography and biochemical tests revealed a complex of C. perfringens. Beta toxin was detected in intestinal contents and from half the C. perfringens cultures from affected birds.