DNA transformation procedure was performed using QIAGEN EZ competent cells and 2 μl of ligation-reaction per the manufacturer’s instructions. Competent cells containing the vector with PCR product

insert were detected with ZD1839 mouse blue/white screening by plating 50 μl of the transformation mixture on Luria-Bertani (LB) broth agar plates supplemented with 100 mg/ml carbenicillin, 100 mM of Isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside, and 40 mg/ml of β-Gal reagent. Two to three colonies, if available, were isolated and propagated in LB broth supplemented with 100 mg/ml carbenicillin. Plasmid DNA was isolated using Mini-prep kit (QIAGEN) per the manufacturer’s instructions. Bi-directional sequencing of the inserts from the clones (2–3 per isolate) was performed using M13 F

and M13 R plasmid specific primers at the Integrated Biotechnology Laboratories (The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602). The sequences obtained were compared to those in GenBank. Sequences were also aligned with other related sequences using the multisequence alignment ClustalX program and the chromatograms were manually examined to detect polymorphisms (Thompson et al., 1994). Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using MEGA (Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis) version 4.0 program (Kumar et al., 1993). The neighbor-joining and minimum check details evolution algorithms use the Kimura 2-parameter model and maximum parsimony uses a heuristic search. The GenBank accession numbers of sequences obtained in this study are listed in Table 1. The two green-winged saltators were found dead while housed in the CETAS-IBAMA and clinical signs were not recorded. All others birds demonstrated difficulty eating and drinking and at physical examination there were yellow and friable plaques on the tongue and oral mucosa consistent with trichomonosis. The immature striped owl was lethargic, emaciated, had ruffled Histone demethylase feathers,

salivated excessively, had difficultly closing its mouth due to abundant caseous material, and exhibited open mouth and loud breathing. The immature American kestrel had multifocal yellow plaques on the oral mucosa when presented to the veterinarian and during hospitalization the plaques increased in size and became diffuse on the oral mucosa and tongue. Four days later the kestrel demonstrated severe dyspnea and died the following day. The toco toucan was lethargic and had difficulty standing. Necropsy revealed that all birds were thin and dehydrated. Multifocal yellow, friable plaques were observed on the surface of the tongue in the owls, toucan and American Kestrel. Friable and yellow plaques and/or nodules also were observed on the oral mucosa, upper mouth, pharynx and larynx of the American kestrel (Fig. 1).