Studies on the molecular epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of avian mycobacteriosis

We investigated the molecular epidemiology, differential susceptibility to infection and disease, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of avian mycobacteriosis in captive ringneck doves (Streptopelia risoria) and in the endangered white-winged duck (Cairina scutulata), both naturally infected with Mycobacterium a. avium. Our studies in doves demonstrated lower susceptibility to infection and less severity of lesions in the white color morph compared with the non-white. Genetic mechanisms of immunity to mycobacteriosis may be contributing or determining these differences. Given that the genes that code for white coloration are sex linked in birds, it is very likely that the gene or genes modulating this different immune response to M. a. avium infection in these doves could be associated to these loci or at least located in the same sexual (Z) chromosome, as the association with white color suggest. In the same birds, spleen biopsies followed by liver biopsies had the greatest potential for the diagnosis of mycobacteriosis by the demonstration of acid-fast organisms. Additional culturing of spleen or liver biopsies significantly increased the diagnosis of mycobacteriosis. The use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was the less sensitive techniques. Uneven distribution and low number of organisms in the liver, spleen and bone marrow may have contributed with the low diagnostic value of PCR. In a second group of sixteen doves with mycobacteriosis from the same flock, the combination of azithromycine, ethambutol and rifampin for 180 days was well tolerated but failed to cure them. Furthermore, this study demonstrated the inefficacy of liver biopsy to evaluate treatment as well the presence of antibiotic resistance in two isolates. These results highlight that erradication of mycobacteriosis in birds is not easy to achieve. Together with the possible emergence of antibiotic resistance in potentially zoonotic mycobacteria our results suggest that the treatment of mycobacteriosis in birds should not be recommended. Finally, the last study shows that white-winged ducks are highly susceptible to at least two sequevars of M. a. avium and that mycobacteriosis is a major threat to the ex situ conservation program. The minimal heterozygosis previously shown in these ducks could be contributing to this apparently ineffective immune response

Test Patagonia's raptors for rodenticides

Thousands of owls and other predators die each year globally after eating rodents that have been poisoned with anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) (1–3). In Andean Patagonia, where wilderness areas coexist with human settlements (including tourist destinations), ARs are unregulated and routinely used to prevent human contact with rodents (4, 5). This strategy puts raptors in the region at risk and may be the cause of mass mortality events. However, because testing for ARs is difficult, the extent of ARs’ effects on raptors and other wildlife remains unknown. Given their potential for harm, it is crucial to test for ARs, especially when raptor mass mortality events occur, and to enact policies that regulate their use.Fil: Saggese, Miguel Daniel. Western University Of Health Sciences.; Estados UnidosFil: Plaza, Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Casalins, Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Ortiz, Gala. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Ojeda, Valeria Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentin

Air Sac Nematode ( Serratospiculum tendo) Infection in an Austral Peregrine Falcon ( Falco peregrinus cassini) in Argentina.

ARTÍCULO PUBLICADO EN REVISTA EXTERNA. We report a case of air sac nematode (Serratospiculum tendo) infection in an adult male Austral Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus cassini) admitted to a rehabilitation center in Mendoza Province, Argentina, in September 2017. This case of air sac nematodes reported in an Argentine raptor is only the second report of S. tendo in South America. We recommend examination of all raptors, especially those falcon species that include insects in their diet and inhabit open lands and those in rehabilitation centers or kept for falconry, education, or captive breeding. Fecal analysis and microscopic examination of oral swabs for evidence of parasites are simple noninvasive diagnostic procedures that allow easy detection of these parasites under field and captive circumstances. Sitio de la revista: https://meridian.allenpress.com/jwd/article/55/1/179/9623/Air-Sac-Nematode-Serratospiculum-tendo-Infectio