Disseminated visceral coccidiosis in Eurasian cranes (<i>Grus grus</i>) in the UK

O'Brien, Michelle; Brown, Martin J.; Stidworthy, Mark F.; Peirce, M. A.; Marshall, R.N.; Honma, Hajime; Nakai, Yutaka

doi:10.1136/vr.c6409

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Chronic infections are characterized by granulomas disseminated throughout many organs [11]. DVC is an important cause of crane chick mortality in captivity [12, 14–16], and has also been described in captive adult cranes [17]. In one study, experimentally infected sandhill crane ( Grus canadensis ) chicks all developed granulomas, and 23.8% of wild sandhill cranes had granulomas at necropsy [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Coccidian Parasites and Conservation Implications for the Endangered Whooping Crane (Grus americana)

et al. 2015

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While the population of endangered whooping cranes (Grus americana) has grown from 15 individuals in 1941 to an estimated 304 birds today, the population growth is not sufficient to support a down-listing of the species to threatened status. The degree to which disease may be limiting the population growth of whooping cranes is unknown. One disease of potential concern is caused by two crane-associated Eimeria species: Eimeria gruis and E. reichenowi. Unlike most species of Eimeria, which are localized to the intestinal tract, these crane-associated species may multiply systemically and cause a potentially fatal disease. Using a non-invasive sampling approach, we assessed the prevalence and phenology of Eimeria oocysts in whooping crane fecal samples collected across two winter seasons (November 2012–April 2014) at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge along the Texas Gulf coast. We also compared the ability of microscopy and PCR to detect Eimeria in fecal samples. Across both years, 26.5% (n = 328) of fecal samples were positive for Eimeria based on microscopy. Although the sensitivity of PCR for detecting Eimeria infections seemed to be less than that of microscopy in the first year of the study (8.9% vs. 29.3%, respectively), an improved DNA extraction protocol resulted in increased sensitivity of PCR relative to microscopy in the second year of the study (27.6% and 20.8%, respectively). The proportion of positive samples did not vary significantly between years or among sampling sites. The proportion of Eimeria positive fecal samples varied with date of collection, but there was no consistent pattern of parasite shedding between the two years. We demonstrate that non-invasive fecal collections combined with PCR and DNA sequencing techniques provides a useful tool for monitoring Eimeria infection in cranes. Understanding the epidemiology of coccidiosis is important for management efforts to increase population growth of the endangered whooping crane.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…gruis and E . reichenowi have been described in wild and captive whooping, sandhill, white-naped ( Grus vipio ), and red-crowned cranes ( Grus japonensis ), and additionally in captive demoiselle ( Anthropoides virgo ), sarus ( Antigone antigone ), and Eurasian cranes ( Grus grus ) [11, 16]. Phylogenetically, the E .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coccidian Parasites and Conservation Implications for the Endangered Whooping Crane (Grus americana)

et al. 2015

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“…Naturally infected cranes did not demonstrate clinical signs (Novilla & Carpenter, 2004). Gross hepatic changes associated with coccidial lesions in the present study on the kiwi are typical of those seen in hepatic coccidial infections in other avian and mammalian host species (Critchley et al, 1986;Reece, 1989;Dai et al, 1991;Canfield & Hartley, 1992;Pakandl, 2009;O'Brien et al, 2011;Wessels et al, 2011). Most reports of hepatobiliary coccidiosis in other host species, including the magpie-lark and experimentally immunosuppressed chickens, occurred within the biliary duct epithelium (Clark, 1970;Long, 1970Long, , 1971Lee & Long, 1972;Levine & Ivens, 1972;Collins et al, 1988;Reece, 1989;Dai et al, 1991;Brunnert et al, 1992;Schafer et al, 1995;Williams et al, 1996;Pakandl, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

“…Eimeria reichenowi and Eimeria gruis have been documented to cause disseminated coccidiosis affecting multiple visceral organs, including the liver, in several species of cranes (Grus spp.) (Novilla & Carpenter, 2004;O'Brien et al, 2011). In affected birds, granulomatous nodules containing developing meronts formed on multiple serosal and mucosal surfaces, and gametogony occurs within the intestinal and respiratory tracts (Novilla & Carpenter, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extra-intestinal coccidiosis in the kiwi (Apteryxspp.)

et al. 2013

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Despite significant conservation intervention, the kiwi (Apteryx spp.) is in serious population decline. To increase survival in the wild, conservation management includes rearing of young birds in captivity, safe from introduced mammalian predators. However, an increase in density of immunologically naïve kiwi increases the risk of exposure to disease, including coccidia. Intestinal coccidiosis has recently been described in the kiwi, and although extra-intestinal coccidiosis was first recognized in kiwi in 1978, very little is known about this disease entity. This study used archived histological tissues and reports from routine necropsies to describe the pathology of naturally occurring extra-intestinal coccidiosis. At least 4.5% of all kiwi necropsied during 1991 to 2011 (n0558) were affected by extra-intestinal coccidiosis, and it is estimated that it caused death in 0.9 to 1.2% of kiwi in the study group. Four forms were recognized: renal, hepatic, and, less commonly, splenic and pulmonary. At necropsy, renal coccidiosis was associated with miliary white streaks and foci through the kidneys, renomegaly, and renal pallor or congestion. Renal meronts and gametocytes were confined to the distal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts, and were associated with renal tubular necrosis and tubular obstruction. Hepatic miliary pinpoint foci were present throughout the hepatic parenchyma associated microscopically with macromeronts measuring 304 )227 mm. In two cases, clusters of splenic meronts were identified, and a similar lesion was identified in the pulmonary interstitium of another case. Juvenile, captive kiwi were most often affected with extra-intestinal coccidiosis, illustrating an increased expression of disease with population manipulation for conservation purposes.

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“…In cranes, disseminated visceral coccidiosis caused by Eimeria spp. was recognized as a disease entity in captive populations [49]. Infections with Eimeria spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metabarcoding of protozoa and helminth in black-necked cranes: a high prevalence of parasites and free-living amoebae

Yu,

Li,

et al. 2024

Parasite

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Parasites and free-living amoebae (FLA) are common pathogens that pose threats to wildlife and humans. The black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) is a near-threatened species and there is a shortage of research on its parasite diversity. Our study aimed to use noninvasive methods to detect intestinal parasites and pathogenic FLA in G. nigricollis using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) based on the 18S rDNA V9 region. A total of 38 fresh fecal samples were collected in Dashanbao, China, during the overwintering period (early-, middle I-, middle II-, and late-winter). Based on the 18S data, eight genera of parasites were identified, including three protozoan parasites: Eimeria sp. (92.1%) was the dominant parasite, followed by Tetratrichomonas sp. (36.8%) and Theileria sp. (2.6%). Five genera of helminths were found: Echinostoma sp. (100%), Posthodiplostomum sp. (50.0%), Euryhelmis sp. (26.3%), Eucoleus sp. (50.0%), and Halomonhystera sp. (2.6%). Additionally, eight genera of FLA were detected, including the known pathogens Acanthamoeba spp. (n = 13) and Allovahlkampfia spp. (n = 3). Specific PCRs were used to further identify the species of some parasites and FLA. Furthermore, the 18S data indicated significant changes in the relative abundance and genus diversity of the protozoan parasites and FLA among the four periods. These results underscore the importance of long-term monitoring of pathogens in black-necked cranes to protect this near-endangered species.

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Disseminated visceral coccidiosis in Eurasian cranes (Grus grus) in the UK

Cited by 3 publications

References 19 publications

Coccidian Parasites and Conservation Implications for the Endangered Whooping Crane (Grus americana)

Coccidian Parasites and Conservation Implications for the Endangered Whooping Crane (Grus americana)

Extra-intestinal coccidiosis in the kiwi (Apteryxspp.)

Metabarcoding of protozoa and helminth in black-necked cranes: a high prevalence of parasites and free-living amoebae

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