Pulmonary aspergillosis secondary to open fracture of pneumatic bone in a brown hawk owl (Ninox scutulata)

A flightless brown hawk owl (Ninox scutulata) weighing 180 g was rescued and referred to the teaching veterinary hospital with humerus open fracture. On physical examination and radiography, open fracture of the left humerus was found. After 3 days, orthopedic surgery was operated with intramedullary pins and wires. The bird died 2 days after surgery with anorexia. On necropsy, multiple green nodules with 2-3 mm in diameter were observed at the surface and inside of the left lung. Numerous conidial heads and spores were seen in the center of foci in the histopathological examination. The mycelia penetrated the surrounding pulmonary parenchyma, showing inflammation and necrosis. The fungus was isolated from the lung and cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar at 30°C for 7 days. The colony was blue-green color with a powdery surface. The fungus was identified as Aspergillus fumigatus by DNA analysis, including the internal transcribed spacer region, partial β-tubulin, and the calmodulin gene. This case was diagnosed as pulmonary aspergillosis secondary to open fracture of pneumatic bone in a brown hawk owl.