ENTEROCOCCUS-HIRAE INFECTIONS IN PSITTACINE BIRDS - EPIDEMIOLOGIC, PATHOLOGICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS

Cases of Enterococcus hirae septicaemia are described in 10 different species of psittacine birds. In most of the cases other disease causes were not detected, and cytological examination confirmed the aetiolog ical role of the bacteria isolated. Despite these findings, attempts t o reproduce the disease in young budgerigars failed. The bacterium was isolated frequently from the faeces of healthy psittacine birds belon ging to a wide range of species, and appeared to be member of the norm al intestinal flora of these birds. The bacteriological diagnosis of E . hirae, and especially its differentiation from Enterococcus durans, is discussed.