Lymphoid Leucosis and Coligranoluma in a Budgerigar [Melopsittacus undulates]

An adult female budgerigar [Melopsittacus undulates] presented with abdominal enlargement. The condition of the bird deteriorated after needle aspiration for cytological examination. The budgerigar was euthanatized and a complete necropsy was performed. Microscopic sections were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Gram staining, periodic acid-Schiff [PAS] and acid-fast staining. Escherichia coll was isolated in pure culture. Necropsy revealed the presence of granulomatous lesions of varying sizes at different locations and hepatomegaly, oviduct impaction and oophoritis. Histopathologically, typical granuloma with a central area of coagulation necrosis and bacterial colonies surrounded by lymphocytes, macrophages and multinucleated giant cells were found. These granulomas were present in the liver, oviduct and intestinal tract. A sheet of neoplastic cells and disruption of the normal hepatic architecture was seen. The diagnosis was lymphoid leucosis and coligranuloma