Biomaterial Database

The pathology of psittacine beak and feather disease. 1984

D A Pass, and R A Perry

Psittacine beak and feather disease is characterised by loss of feathers, abnormally shaped feathers and overgrowth and irregularity of the surface of the beak. The disease occurs in a number of psittacine species including the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Lovebirds , Budgerigars and Galahs . The abnormal appearance of feathers and beak is due to a dystrophic process within the epidermis of the feather and beak. The process consists of epidermal cell necrosis, epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis. Many of the feather abnormalities are due to retention of a hyperkeratotic feather sheath. A characteristic microscopic finding is the presence of macrophages containing purple intracytoplasmic inclusions in affected epidermis and feather pulp. The inclusions consist of aggregates of particles 17 to 22 nm in diameter. Similar but smaller inclusions occur in epidermal cells. In addition, non-suppurative inflammation occurs in the feather pulp. The findings are suggestive of a viral infection.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007642	Keratosis	Any horny growth such as a wart or callus.	Keratoderma Blennorrhagicum,Keratoma,Keratosis Blennorrhagica,Blennorrhagica, Keratosis,Blennorrhagicas, Keratosis,Blennorrhagicum, Keratoderma,Blennorrhagicums, Keratoderma,Keratoderma Blennorrhagicums,Keratomas,Keratoses,Keratosis Blennorrhagicas
D009336	Necrosis	The death of cells in an organ or tissue due to disease, injury or failure of the blood supply.
D011563	Psittaciformes	An order of BIRDS comprised of several families and more than 300 species. It includes COCKATOOS; PARROTS; PARAKEETS; macaws; and BUDGERIGARS.	Psittacines
D004817	Epidermis	The external, nonvascular layer of the skin. It is made up, from within outward, of five layers of EPITHELIUM: (1) basal layer (stratum basale epidermidis); (2) spinous layer (stratum spinosum epidermidis); (3) granular layer (stratum granulosum epidermidis); (4) clear layer (stratum lucidum epidermidis); and (5) horny layer (stratum corneum epidermidis).
D005241	Feathers	Flat keratinous structures found on the skin surface of birds. Feathers are made partly of a hollow shaft fringed with barbs. They constitute the plumage.	Feather
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001502	Beak	In some animals, the jaws together with their horny covering. The beak usually refers to the bill of birds in which the whole varies greatly in form according of the food and habits of the bird. While the beak refers most commonly to birds, the anatomical counterpart is found also in the turtle, squid, and octopus. (From Webster, 3d ed & Storer, et al., General Zoology, 6th ed, p491, 755)	Bill, Avian,Avian Bill,Avian Bills,Beaks,Bills, Avian
D001715	Bird Diseases	Diseases of birds not considered poultry, therefore usually found in zoos, parks, and the wild. The concept is differentiated from POULTRY DISEASES which is for birds raised as a source of meat or eggs for human consumption, and usually found in barnyards, hatcheries, etc.	Avian Diseases,Avian Disease,Bird Disease,Disease, Avian,Disease, Bird,Diseases, Avian,Diseases, Bird
D013577	Syndrome	A characteristic symptom complex.	Symptom Cluster,Cluster, Symptom,Clusters, Symptom,Symptom Clusters,Syndromes

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