Serosurvey of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Sarcocystis neurona in raptors and risk factor analysis

Sato, Ana Paula; Goulart, Miúriel de Aquino; Konell, Aline Luiza; Koch, Marília de Oliveira; Fonseca, F. M. da; Morel, Ana Paula; Locatelli-Dittrich, Rosângela

doi:10.1016/j.parint.2021.102312

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Whereas when examined by an immunofluorescence antibody test, eight of 72 (11.1%) raptorial birds from Brazil were found to be positive for Sarcocystis spp. [ 25 ]. Altogether, previous studies suggest that the prevalence of Sarcocystis spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular identification of Sarcocystis halieti in the muscles of two species of birds of prey from Spain

et al. 2021

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Background Members of the genus Sarcocystis are protozoan parasites characterized by a prey–predator two-host life-cycle. Sarcocysts are formed in the muscles or central nervous system of the intermediate host (IH), while sporocysts develop in the small intestine of the definitive host (DH). Various birds of prey have been confirmed to be DH for Sarcocystis spp. Three Sarcocystis species, S. wobeseri, S. halieti and S. falcatula, have been identified in the muscles of birds of prey, of which the latter are known to be pathogenic and can cause encephalitis in various birds. The aim of this study was to identify Sarcocystis spp. in the muscles of birds of prey from Spain. Methods Between 2019 and 2020, muscle tissue samples taken from 59 birds of prey admitted to the Wildlife Recovery Centre in Ilundain (Navarra, Spain) were examined for the presence of Sarcocystis spp. Sarcocysts in fresh squashed samples were morphologically characterized under the light microscope (LM). Sarcocystis spp. were identified by means of 28S ribosomal RNA and internal transcribed spacer 1 sequence analysis. Results Microscopic examination of squashed tissue samples stained with methylene blue revealed the presence of sarcocysts in three of the 59 (5.1%) birds examined. Only one sarcocyst type was observed under the LM. Sarcocysts were thread-like (1050–2160 × 130–158 μm) and had a thin (0.7–1.4 μm) and smooth cyst wall. Septa divided the cysts into compartments filled with banana-shaped (5.9 × 1.7 μm) bradyzoites. On the basis of DNA sequence results, S. halieti was identified in the western marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) and the black kite (Milvus migrans) for the first time. Sarcocysts of S. halieti were shorter and wider compared to those observed in the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) and the herring gull (Larus argentatus). According to current knowledge, S. halieti may infect birds belonging to four different orders: Suliformes, Charadriiformes, Strigiformes and Accipitriformes. Conclusions This is the first report of S. halieti in the western marsh harrier and the black kite as IH. So far, little research has been conducted on birds of prey as IH for Sarcocystis spp. These results indicate that further studies combining morphological, histopathological, and molecular methods are required. Graphical abstract

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most recent studies on Sarcocystis spp. in birds of prey have focused on the diagnosis of this apicomplexan genus using muscle digestion and subsequent nested PCR [ 9 ] or an immunofluorescence antibody test [ 25 ]. These methods are relatively sensitive to the detection of Sarcocystis spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular identification of Sarcocystis halieti in the muscles of two species of birds of prey from Spain

et al. 2021

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“…En ratones y ardillas también se han detectado diversas especies de Sarcocystis, reservorio de huéspedes definitivos como gatos, serpientes y búhos 17,18 . También se han descrito títulos de anticuerpos contra S. neurona en más de siete especies de rapaces 19 .…”

Section: Discusión Y Relevancia Clínicaunclassified

Hallazgos incidentales en la necropsia de un pájaro carpintero bellotero (Melanerpes formicivorus)

Juarez-Rojas

Chávez-Maya

Espinosa

et al. 2021

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“…Toxoplasma gondii has a wide range of warm-blooded intermediate hosts, including birds [ 3 ]. Birds of prey, due to their specific feeding habits, are particularly exposed to horizontal transmission by feeding on infected small mammals and other birds, or through the consumption of sporulated oocysts by contaminated water or food sources [ 4 , 5 ]. However, the degree of risk of acquiring the infections depends on the different species of birds of prey, in fact, strict carnivorous or scavenger species are more exposed than generalist species [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Neospora caninum has been reported to infect several bird species in particular pigeons, sparrows, waterfowl, and less frequently, raptors [ 5 , 16 ], but the role of such wildlife animals in the life cycle and in the epidemiological scenario of the parasite has not been yet fully elucidated [ 5 ]. Peridomestic and wild rodents as well as lagomorphs, which are among the main prey for several of the species included in the present study, have been demonstrated to play a relevant role in N. caninum epidemiology [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Dangerous Side of Being a Predator: Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in Birds of Prey

et al. 2023

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Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are apicomplexan protozoa of major concern in livestock and T. gondii is also considered one of the major threats and a public health concern. These protozoa have a wide range of intermediate hosts, including birds. The present work aimed to assess the prevalence of these cyst-forming parasites in migratory and sedentary birds of prey. The skeletal muscle and myocardium of 159 birds of prey from Central Italy, belonging to 19 species and recovered across 6 Wildlife Recovery Centers/Care structures along the Italian migratory route, were collected specifically for molecular (PCR) and for histopathological analysis to detect T. gondii and N. caninum. For the molecular analysis, genomic DNA was extracted. The DNA was tested by sequence typing, targeting GRA6, 529 bp repeated element, B1, PK1, BTUB, SAG2, alt.SAG2, and APICO genes for T. gondii and to end-point PCR targeting NC5 gene for N. caninum. Thirty-seven out of the one hundred and fifty-nine analyzed samples tested positive for T. gondii with a prevalence of 23.27% and nine for N. caninum, with a prevalence of 5.66%. Thirty-two sequences were obtained from the thirty-seven isolates of T. gondii. Among these, 26 presented alleles compatible with type I strain in 1 or more loci, 4 with type II strain and 2 consisted of atypical strains. Toxoplasma gondii genetic variability in birds of prey confirms previous findings of wildlife as reservoirs of atypical strains . Results from the histology showed few protozoal tissue cysts in skeletal muscle (n. 4) and hearts (n. 2).

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Serosurvey of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Sarcocystis neurona in raptors and risk factor analysis

Cited by 5 publications

References 48 publications

Molecular identification of Sarcocystis halieti in the muscles of two species of birds of prey from Spain

Molecular identification of Sarcocystis halieti in the muscles of two species of birds of prey from Spain

Hallazgos incidentales en la necropsia de un pájaro carpintero bellotero (Melanerpes formicivorus)

The Dangerous Side of Being a Predator: Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in Birds of Prey

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