Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Seagull Chicks Is Related to the Consumption of Freshwater Food Resources

Cabezón, Óscar; Cerdà‐Cuéllar, Marta; Morera, Virginia; García‐Bocanegra, Ignacio; González‐Solís, Jacob; Napp, Sebastián; Ribas, M.; Blanch-Lázaro, Berta; Fernández-Aguilar, Xavier; Antilles, Noelia; López-Soria, Sergio; Lorca-Oró, Cristina; Dubey, J. P.; Almerı́a, S.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0150249

Cited by 26 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…For example, sea gull chicks that have been fed food obtained from freshwater habitats are more likely to test positive for Toxoplasma gondii infection (Cabezón et al . ). Other studies have found that birds living in urban environments have comparatively less diverse parasite communities due to their diet (Aponte et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Such habitat-dependent patterns can also be related to foraging habits and food types available within different environments. For example, sea gull chicks that have been fed food obtained from freshwater habitats are more likely to test positive for Toxoplasma gondii infection (Cabez on et al 2016). Other studies have found that birds living in urban environments have comparatively less diverse parasite communities due to their diet (Aponte et al 2014;Rza z d et al 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nematode parasite diversity in birds: the role of host ecology, life history and migration

Leung

Koprivnikar

2016

Journal of Animal Ecology

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Previous studies have found that migratory birds generally have a more diverse array of pathogens such as parasites, as well as higher intensities of infection. However, it is not clear whether this is driven by the metabolic and physiological demands of migration, differential selection on host life-history traits or basic ecological differences between migratory and non-migratory species. Parasitic helminths can cause significant pathology in their hosts, and many are trophically transmitted such that host diet and habitat use play key roles in the acquisition of infections. Given the concurrent changes in avian habitats and migratory behaviour, it is critical to understand the degree to which host ecology influences their parasite communities. We examined nematode parasite diversity in 153 species of Anseriformes (water birds) and Accipitriformes (predatory birds) in relation to their migratory behaviour, diet, habitat use, geographic distribution and life history using previously published data. Overall, migrators, host species with wide geographic distributions and those utilizing multiple aquatic habitats had greater nematode richness (number of species), and birds with large clutches harboured more diverse nematode fauna with respect to number of superfamilies. Separate analyses for each host order found similar results related to distribution, habitat use and migration; however, herbivorous water birds played host to a less diverse nematode community compared to those that consume some animals. Birds using multiple aquatic habitats have a more diverse nematode fauna relative to primarily terrestrial species, likely because there is greater opportunity for contact with parasite infectious stages and/or consumption of infected hosts. As such, omnivorous and carnivorous birds using aquatic habitats may be more affected by environmental changes that alter their diet and range. Even though there were no overall differences in their ecology and life history compared with non-migrators, migratory bird species still harboured a more diverse array of nematodes, suggesting that this behaviour places unique demands on these hosts and warrants further study.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nematode parasite diversity in birds: the role of host ecology, life history and migration

Leung

Koprivnikar

2016

Journal of Animal Ecology

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“…Any predator that consumes these tissue cysts will be infected, form cysts themselves and serve as a reservoir of infection; however, completion of the T. gondii life cycle and oocyst production occur only in felids. Mammals can also be infected in utero by an affected mother, but this vertical transmission route is not expected to occur in birds (Cabezón et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interaction of diet and habitat predicts Toxoplasma gondii infection rates in wild birds at a global scale

Wilson¹,

Lapen

Mitchell

et al. 2020

Global Ecol Biogeogr

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This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made. Abstract Aim: Free-ranging wildlife are valuable sentinels for zoonotic, multi-host pathogens, and new insight into parasite transmission patterns is possible through a macroecological approach. Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan capable of infecting all warmblooded animals, including humans, primarily through a free-living oocyst and/or tissue cyst life stage. Anthropogenic disturbance is facilitating the spread of T. gondii, making it crucial to understand the general ecological and life-history drivers of T. gondii infections in wild birds, which are important intermediate hosts. Our goal was to determine how habitat (terrestrial versus aquatic), dietary trophic level and scavenging behaviour influence the prevalence of T. gondii infection in wild birds at a global scale. Location: Global. Time period: 1952-2017. Major taxa studied: Birds.Methods: Our analysis used the serological, bioassay and molecular prevalence data of T. gondii in avian species compiled from 81 studies conducted worldwide and encompassing 24,344 individuals from 393 avian species from 84 families. Results:We showed that at a global scale, trophic level and habitat interacted significantly to influence T. gondii prevalence in avian intermediate hosts. In the terrestrial environment, T. gondii prevalence increased with trophic level, consistent with predominant tissue cyst transmission. The highest prevalence was in terrestrial omnivores, which might reflect their synanthropic foraging behaviour. In aquatic species, prevalence was more consistent across trophic levels, but high prevalence in aquatic herbivores and insectivores reflects significant waterborne exposure to oocysts.Contrary to our predictions, generalized scavenging per se was not associated with increased prevalence. Main conclusions:This study highlights the value of comparing pathogen prevalence among multiple ecological guilds and ecosystem types for a more comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology of generalist pathogens, such as T. gondii. Increased B I OS K E TCH S U PP O RTI N G I N FO R M ATI O NAdditional supporting information may be found online in the Supporting Information section.We are a group of governmental and non-governmental researchers with a research focus on anthropogenic impacts on wildlife and human health. We adopt a One Health approach to examine zoonotic diseases whose epidemiology is linked to anthropogenic activities, such as urbanization and agricultural activity.

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“…In this respect, T . gondii has been used as a model for the study of land-to-sea pathogen contamination [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Higher flow of T .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxoplasma gondii infection in wild mustelids and cats across an urban-rural gradient

et al. 2018

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The increase in human population and domestic pets, such as cats, are generating important consequences in terms of habitat loss and pathogen pollution of coastal ecosystems with potential to generate negative impacts in marine biodiversity. Toxoplasma gondii is the etiological agent of zoonotic disease toxoplasmosis, and is associated with cat abundance and anthropogenic disturbance. The presence of T. gondii oocysts in the ocean has negatively affected the health status of the threatened Southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) populations. The present study analyzed seroprevalence and presence of T. gondii DNA in American mink (Neovison vison), Southern river otters (Lontra provocax) and domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) in four different areas in Southern Chile comprising studies in rivers and lakes in Andean foothills and mountains, marine habitat and island coastal ecosystems. Mean seroprevalence of T. gondii in the study was 64% of 151 total animals sampled: 59% of 73 American mink, 77% of 13 Southern river otters, 68% of 65 domestic cats and in two of two kodkods (Leopardus guigna). Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in tissues from one American mink and one Southern river otter. The present study confirms the widespread distribution of T. gondii in Southern Chile, and shows a high exposure of semiaquatic mustelids and domestic cats to the parasite. Cats and anthropogenic disturbance have a role in the maintenance of T. gondii infection in ecosystems of southern Chile.

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Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Seagull Chicks Is Related to the Consumption of Freshwater Food Resources

Cited by 26 publications

References 38 publications

Nematode parasite diversity in birds: the role of host ecology, life history and migration

Nematode parasite diversity in birds: the role of host ecology, life history and migration

Interaction of diet and habitat predicts Toxoplasma gondii infection rates in wild birds at a global scale

Toxoplasma gondii infection in wild mustelids and cats across an urban-rural gradient

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