The bacteria must be cultured in order to identify it. An X-ray may demonstrate an enlarged liver, spleen, and nodules in the lungs. Biopsy of the liver is one of the best ways to diagnose the disease. Special stains are used to identify the mycobacteria in these modules. Treatment of infected birds is controversial.
Some veterinarians feel that a combination of several different drugs can be used successfully.
Treatment must be done for a minimum of 1 year. Other people feel that it is unwise to treat positive birds, since children and immunocompromised adults may be susceptible to the organism. As one can appreciate, TB is very difficult to screen for in a live bird. New birds should be quarantined for several months to a year, before they are introduced into a collection. Physical examinations, fecals, CBC, several negative acid-fast stains and endoscopy should be done if possible.