Natural Infection with Cryptosporidium galli in Canaries (Serinus canaria), in a Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), and in Lesser Seed-Finches (Oryzoborus angolensis) from Brazil

Abstract

Proventricular infection by Cryptosporidium sp. or Cryptosporidium galli has been associated with mortality, weight loss, diarrhea, and pasty feces. The purpose of this study is to report the occurrence of natural C galli infection in canaries (Serinus canaria), in a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), and in lesser seed-finches (Oryzoborus angolensis) with clinical complaints of apathy and sporadic mortality. Screening for Cryptosporidium spp. using microscopic examination of fecal samples and stained smears, histopathology, and nested polymerase chain reaction for actin gene and 18S ribosomal RNA gene following sequencing of amplified fragments allowed for the identification of C galli. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C galli in birds in Brazil and the first report of this species in lesser seed-finches.

Detection and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in captive canaries (Serinus canaria) using different diagnostic methods

“…galli is associated with chronic infection in the passerine proventriculus and is likely responsible for chronic gastric disease and predisposition to concomitant infections (ANTUNES et al, 2008;NAKAMURA & MEIRELES, 2015). The species most frequently detected by nested PCR/sequencing was C. galli, corresponding to 75% (15/20) of the sequenced samples.…”

“…galli is the most frequent species in Passeriformes; however, there is controversy regarding its pathogenicity in birds (NAKAMURA & MEIRELES, 2015). C. galli or Cryptosporidium avian genotype III infections can result in diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss, and chronic vomiting (ANTUNES et al, 2008;MAKINO et al, 2010, SILVA et al, 2010RAVICH et al, 2014).…”

“…In canaries (Serinus canaria), C. galli, C. avium and C. avian genotypes I and III infections have been described (NG et al, 2006;ANTUNES et al, 2008;NAKAMURA et al, 2009NAKAMURA et al, , 2014NARDI, 2015). Most epidemiological studies on avian cryptosporidiosis were performed using convenience sampling with fecal samples from several bird species (NG et al, 2006;NAKAMURA et al, 2009, SEVÁ et al, 2011BAMAIYI et al, 2013;REBOREDO-FERNÁNDEZ et al, 2015).…”

Cryptosporidium infections in birds - a review

“…Gastric infections by C. galli or Cryptosporidium sp. may be subclinical or associated with clinical signs characterized by apathy, diarrhea, weight loss, and sporadic mortality (BLAGBURN et al, 1990;CLUBB, 1997;MORGAN et al, 2001;ANTUNES et al, 2008;SILVA et al, 2010).…”

“…C. galli is able to infect young and adult birds and cause chronic gastric infection similar to C. serpentis in snakes (SILVA et al, 2010). Thus, Antunes et al (2008) and Silva et al (2010) suggested that infections by C. galli could be responsible for chronic proventriculitis in birds, which would predispose them to secondary infections by other pathogens.…”