STREPTOCOCCAL AND ENTEROCOCCAL INFECTIONS IN BIRDS

A short review is presented on two streptococcal and two enterococcal infections in birds which have been described in recent years. Strepto coccus bovis is a frequent cause of acute septicemic disease and chron ic lameness in pigeons. Streptococcussuis infections have been documen ted in septicemia of nestlings of psittacine birds and in sporadic or multiple losses of different bird species. Enterococcus hirae is invol ved in septicemia resulting in focal necrosis of the brain stem in pou ltry. This condition is seen in 3 to 10 days old chicks which typicall y show torticollis. The same enterococcal species is an important caus e of septicemia in psittacine birds. Enterococcus faecalis has been de scribed as the probable cause of chronic tracheitis in canaries.