Occurrence of Paratanaisia spp. Freitas, 1951 in a domiciled cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus, Psittaciformes: Cacatuidae)

Abstract

Digenetic eucotylids of the Paratanaisia genus are widely reported parasites of the avian renal system. The infection, commonly reported in free-living and zoo-housed birds, is described for the first time in a domiciled bird, a cockatiel kept as pet bird with free access to the yard outdoors. The bird was received at Veterinary Hospital, where clinical and radiographic evaluations suggested a case of heavy-metal poisoning. Although the bird received supportive care and a chelating agent, it died the next day. The necropsy showed friable kidneys and congestion of blood vessels in structures such as the skin, proventriculus, brain, and skullcap. The histopathological evaluation of the kidneys revealed multifocal hemorrhages, commonly found in cases of heavy-metal poisoning. Parasitic structures similar to those of the digenean trematodes Paratanaisia spp. were also observed inside dilated collecting ducts, which presented epithelial cell flattening and vacuolization. There was compression of adjacent tissue and discrete fibrotic areas. In the presence of intermediate hosts in the yard, the synanthropic nature of some wild free-living birds could make them a source of trematodes infection and dissemination for pet birds. Conversely, the infected cockatiel could also have served as a reservoir and carrier of trematodes to wild free-living birds.

Mitochondrial genomes of two eucotylids as the first representatives from the superfamily Microphalloidea (Trematoda) and phylogenetic implications

“…Previous molecular phylogenetic studies based on nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) included very few representatives of the Eucotylidae in order to position the family within higher taxa [8][9][10][11][12]. They invariably placed the Eucotylidae within the suborder Xiphidiata as a longbranched clade.…”

Evaluation of the reproductive profile of Subulina octona (Gastropoda, Subulinidae) experimentally infected by Paratanaisia bragai (Digenea, Eucotylidae)

“…In Brazil, we found records of the occurrence of Paratanaisia spp. in Paraná (Taroda et al, 2013), Goiás (Carneiro et al, 1975), Rio de Janeiro (Menezes et al, 2001;Santos, 1934apud Pinto el at., 2004, Xavier et al, 2015, São Paulo (Silva et al, 2016;Santi et al, 2017;Santi et al, 2018) and Minas Gerais (Tavela et al, 2014;Teodoro et al, 2018). Most of these records involved birds care at veterinary hospitals, zoos or wildlife triage and conservation centers.…”

“…Most of these records involved birds care at veterinary hospitals, zoos or wildlife triage and conservation centers. These records show the great veterinary importance of trematodes from Paratanaisia genus, not only to the wildlife and its conservation but, also, by affecting domestic or domesticated birds, as parrots and cockatiel (Luppi et al, 2007;Santi et al, 2018). From the perspective of the One Health concept, where we must combine efforts from different areas to solve environmental, veterinary or human health problems, the study of P. bragai is even more important.…”