Prevalence of Macrorhabdus ornithogaster (avian gastric yeast) in budgerigar and lovebirds in Yazd

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Veterinary Medicine.Bob.C, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran

2 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Iran

10.22075/jvlr.2026.37992.1175

Abstract

Macrorhabdus ornithogaster is a yeast found in many bird species worldwide. It usually grows between the proventriculus and the gizzard and may have no clinical symptoms, but some birds die in a short period of time due to malabsorption and emaciation, while they have a good appetite. Rapid diagnosis is required to achieve the best treatment results with antifungal drugs. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Macrorhabdus ornithogaster in budgerigars and lovebirds in Yazd city. 140 apparently healthy birds were studied and 5 stool samples were collected from each bird. A total of 700 stool samples were evaluated by fecal wet-mount and gram staining methods. Also, histopathological examination was done on 3 dead birds which had signs including anorexia and weight loss. Macrorhabdus ornithogaster was not found in wet smear and histopathological samples, which shows a very low prevalence of this organism in budgerigars and lovebirds in Yazd city.

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References

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Journal of Veterinary Laboratory Research
Volume 17, Issue 2 - Serial Number 28
In Progress
October 2025
Pages 223-229

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