Avian Microbiology
By Nan Fielding
All Rights Reserved

Microbiology plays an important part in a bird's life through the identification of disease microorganisms to establish an effective preventive medicine program. It is not the job of the microbiologist to either diagnose or treat diseases but instead the microbiologist identifies microorganisms and notes to which medications a particular microorganism might be sensitive.

A microbiologist's academic background consists of at least a Bachelors degree which serves as the entrance level for employment. Master Degrees and Doctorate Degrees have become mandatory for advancement in the field, especially in the area of medical microbiology. Additionally continuing education is essential to keep the microbiologist updated on the rapidly changing advances being made in the profession and the advent of new disease producing microorganisms.

Microbiology and Veterinary Science are complimentary fields in the medical maintenance and treatment of birds. Veterinarians frequently have only a minor exposure to microbiology in a very elementary one semester course. In contrast the microbiologist spends at least two years submerged in microbiology related courses just to obtain a Bachelor's degree. A Master's degree can add two more years of specialization with a Doctorate lasting three years plus the research and writing of the Masters Thesis and the Doctorate Dissertation.

A Veterinarian concentrates more on what an organism can do and how to treat it. In contrast the microbiologist learns the total life cycle and characteristics of an organisms. Such knowledge includes how the organism reproduces, the environmental conditions which both keep it alive as well as destroy it, what medications will kill it or help it to multiply, how many species exist and which infect humans, birds, other animals or are zoonotic in nature passing from animal to human or human to animal.

Various branches of microbiology related to birds include:

Bacteriology: the study of single cell, self multiplying, physiologically complete organisms. An example would be E. Coli for birds.

Mycology: the study of organisms with plant-like structures which nevertheless do not form seeds, stems, roots, leaves or flowers but are single celled and are not photosynthetic. Avicultural examples would be aspergilla and candida.

Parasitology: the study of organisms which use another organism for shelter or food with a commonly known avian parasite being giardia.

Virology: the study of organisms containing only one kind of nucleic acid which are not living in the strict sense and do not grow but instead direct the cell they parasitize to reproduce viral parts and then assemble these parts into new viruses. Avian examples would be Pacheco and New Castle diseases.

Microbial Physiology; the study of how the microbe functions i.e. digestion, respiration, reproduction, etc.

Microbiology of Diseases: the study of pathogenic organisms and how they produce disease. Avian Medical microbiology ould be an example.

Additionally the branches of immunology, sanitary micrioblogy, soil microbiology, and water microbiology would apply to aviculture.

The identification of microorganisms is based on various culture, staining and chemical tests. A great deal of knowledge and experience is required to accurately interpret any of the testing procedures. Identification probes have recently been developed for use in detection of certain avian viruses. This probe utilizes a reading of DNA in the identification testing procedures. No biological test is 100% accurate and therefore a thorough knowledge of the limitations of each test being conducted is required. Even the most experienced and knowledgeable microbiologist at times needs to consult with colleagues who have expertise in specialized fields of study when making a particularly difficult identification.

While the microbiologist is capable of identifying a microorganism testing requires time. In treating birds time is often limited and therefore the veterinarian will proceed to commence treatment of the bird based upon signs and symptoms pending the results of the micrioblogy laboratory. Some microorganisms are easily and quickly identified; others require considerable time.

Not every laboratory is equipped for work with viruses as these are highly dangerous, contagious microorganisms which require expensive and specialized laboratories. Microbiologists who work in virology wear protective clothing, masks, etc. and the laboratory entrance and exit are through air locks. Upon exiting a virology laboratory lab clothes are discarded, showers are taken including washing hair, prior to leaving. Normally a No Admittance policy to visitors and non-virology personnel exists. At the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta the virology department and laboratories are in a separate, self-contained building.

In the routine life of the microbiologist they remain cognizant regarding the transmission of the various diseases caused by specific groups of microorganisms. Larger microbiology laboratory systems such as state health systems maintain separate labs devoted to one of the specialty fields. In my career as a medical microbiology I was fortunate to work in each area of medical microbiology prior to becoming head of the Immunology laboratory. This first hand experience of having such a diversified medical microbiology background has been exceedingly advantageous when I turned my interests to the study and identification of avian medication microbiology. Transferring my knowledge of human medical microbiology to avian medical microbiology was a relatively easy transition requiring that I learn only those specific organisms affecting avian species.

Regardless of experience and background the avian microbiologist never ceases studying and learning in an attempt to keep abreast of the many advances being made and the recognition of more and more organisms which are proving to be detrimental to the health of our exotic friends.

Nan has shared her knowledge of medical microbiology with aviculturists for over a decade through the many articles which she has written. Currently she is the SPBE Microbiology Consultant writing a column for each issue of the SPBE Journal plus busily co-authoring The Parrot Disease Manuel with Dr. Al Decoteau (DVM) which will be appearing soon on the SPBE site here on UAS at http://www.spbe.org/.

This article is Copyrighted by Upatsix Aviaries and cannot be reprinted without the written permission of Upatsix Aviaries and the author.

Articles are Copyright Up At Six and cannot be reprinted without the written permission of Up At Six and the author.

Last Revised: Thu Aug 7 08:37:28 2008 ( Damian )
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