Bilateral Cubital Lymphoma and Mycobacteriosis in a Salmon-Crested Cockatoo ().

Abstract

A 32-year-old male salmon-crested cockatoo () was diagnosed by cytology with bilateral cubital lymphoma and mycobacteriosis. Polymerase chain reaction assay testing confirmed. This patient was subsequently humanely euthanized. Postmortem histopathology confirmed both diagnoses with findings of multicentric lymphoma, acid-fast bacilli, and severe degenerative changes in all synovial joints examined. Immunohistochemical staining for paired box protein 5 of the cubital mass was positive for a high percentage of B-cell lymphocytes, consistent with B-cell lymphoma. This unusual case of two major diseases presenting concurrently in one patient raises the question of whether the pathogenesis could have an interdependent relationship. Mycobacteriosis, severe degenerative joint changes, or both may have stimulated lymphocytes, eventually leading to lymphoma. Additional screening and monitoring for comorbidities may be advised if 1 of these diseases are diagnosed in companion avian species.