MYCOBACTERIUM-TUBERCULOSIS INFECTION IN A GREEN-WINGED MACAW (ARA CHLOROPTERA) - REPORT WITH PUBLIC-HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from the eyelid, skin, tongue, and lungs of a green-winged macaw (Ara chloroptera). Two persons livi ng in the same household were culture positive for pulmonary tuberculo sis 3 to 4 years before tuberculosis was diagnosed in the bird. Althou gh humans have not been shown to acquire tuberculosis from birds, an i nfected bird may be a sentinel for human infection.