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Sato AP, da Silva TCE, de Pontes TP, Sanches AWD, Prakas P, Locatelli-Dittrich R. Molecular characterization of Sarcocystis spp. in seabirds from southern Brazil. Parasitol Int 2022; 90:102595. [PMID: 35552005 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sarcocystis spp. are cyst forming apicomplexan parasites that infect many vertebrates including birds. Sarcocystis spp. infection was investigated in tissue samples (pectoral muscles, heart, and brain) of 47 dead seabirds collected from the coastline of Santa Catarina State SC - Brazil, between August 2019 and March 2020. A portion of each tissue was fixed in 10% buffered formalin for histopathologic analysis while DNA was extracted from another portion and screened using nested-PCR targeting ITS1. Based on molecular analysis, Sarcocystis spp. were identified in 15/47 (31.9%) seabirds of five species, kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus), neotropic cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus), brown booby (Sula leucogaster) and great skua (Stercorarius skua). Microscopically visible sarcocysts were observed only in the pectoral muscle of four seabirds 8.5% (4/47), while in one brown booby, sarcocysts were seen in both pectoral and cardiac muscles. Two types of sarcocysts, thin walled (≤1 μm) and thick-walled (≥ 2 μm) were identified. Based on ITS1 sequence comparison, S. halieti, S. falcatula and three not yet described Sarcocystis spp. were detected. Phylogenetically, S. falcatula isolates were classified as two distinct clusters. This is the first confirmation of S. halieti in seabird's species in South America and S. falcatula in birds of the order Charadriiformes. Further molecular studies are needed to understand the epidemiology of the Sarcocystis spp. infection and its impact on the health of seabirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Sato
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários 1540, CEP 80035-050, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Tiffany Christiny Emmerich da Silva
- Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project (PMP-BS), Seabird Rehabilitation Laboratory, University of Vale do Itajaí, Rua Maria Emília da Costa, CEP: 88-385-00090, Armação, Penha, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Thamires Pires de Pontes
- Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project (PMP-BS), Seabird Rehabilitation Laboratory, University of Vale do Itajaí, Rua Maria Emília da Costa, CEP: 88-385-00090, Armação, Penha, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | | | - Petras Prakas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rosangela Locatelli-Dittrich
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários 1540, CEP 80035-050, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
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Llano HAB, Zavatieri Polato H, Borges Keid L, Ferreira de Souza Oliveira TM, Zwarg T, de Oliveira AS, Sanches TC, Joppert AM, Gondim LFP, Martins Soares R. Molecular screening for Sarcocystidae in muscles of wild birds from Brazil suggests a plethora of intermediate hosts for Sarcocystis falcatula. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 17:230-238. [PMID: 35282411 PMCID: PMC8914476 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The genus Sarcocystis and the species Toxoplasma gondii are the most prevalent sarcocystid organisms found in birds. Molecular phylogenies based on the first internal transcribed spacer of the ribosomal coding DNA (ITS1) have been widely used to identify them. Here, pectoral muscles from 400 wild birds from Brazil were screened by means of molecular methods using nested PCR, and Sanger sequencing yielded amplicons. A pan-sarcocystid ITS1-directed nested PCR revealed 28 birds infected by Sarcocystis falcatula (ten Piciformes, eight Psittaciformes, five Columbiformes, two Accipitriformes, one Anseriformes, one Passeriformes and one Strigiformes); one infected by Sarcocystis halieti (one Accipitriformes); nine infected by unknown or undescribed Sarcocystis (six Passeriformes, one Piciformes, one Cathartiformes and one Cuculiformes); and six harboring Toxoplasma gondii DNA (three Pelecaniformes, two Falconiformes and one Columbiformes). Samples harboring S. falcatula-related ITS1 sequences were further characterized by means of PCR and sequencing of genetic sequences of three surface antigen coding genes (SAGs). From this, 10 new allelic combinations of SAGs (SAG2, SAG3 and SAG4) were identified, in addition to 11 SAG allelic combinations already found in Brazil. Samples with S. falcatula-unrelated ITS1 sequences were further characterized by means of PCR and sequencing of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I coding sequences (CO1) and 18S ribosomal DNA gene (18S rDNA). This study was the first extensive survey of wild birds in Brazil for Sarcocystidae species. It provides the first molecular evidence of natural S. falcatula infection in 14 species, including in the order Piciformes, and shows the high genetic diversity of S. falcatula in intermediate hosts in South America. Evidence of occurrence of at least three non-described species of Sarcocystis was also presented in this study. This survey corroborated the ubiquity of T. gondii infection but revealed surprisingly low prevalence of this parasite (1.5%). Extensive survey of free-living wild birds in Brazil for Sarcocystidae species. Sarcocystis falcatula was detected in Piciformes birds for the first time. Sarcocystis falcatula has an extensive genetic diversity in Brazil. Three non-described species of Sarcocystis were detected. Sarcocystis halieti was detected for the first time in the Americas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Horwald A B Llano
- Investigation Group (GINVER), School of Veterinary Medicine, Corporación Universitaria Remington, Medellín, Colombia.,Department of Preventive Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicina and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Heloise Zavatieri Polato
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicina and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lara Borges Keid
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Ticiana Zwarg
- The Fauna Division of the Municipal Secretariat for Green and Environment of the Municipality of São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alice S de Oliveira
- The Fauna Division of the Municipal Secretariat for Green and Environment of the Municipality of São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thaís C Sanches
- The Fauna Division of the Municipal Secretariat for Green and Environment of the Municipality of São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriana M Joppert
- The Fauna Division of the Municipal Secretariat for Green and Environment of the Municipality of São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luís F P Gondim
- Department of Anatomy, Pathology and Clinics, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Martins Soares
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicina and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Prakas P, Bea A, Juozaitytė-Ngugu E, Olano I, Villanúa D, Švažas S, Butkauskas D. Molecular identification of Sarcocystis halieti in the muscles of two species of birds of prey from Spain. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:414. [PMID: 34407877 PMCID: PMC8375183 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04921-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petras Prakas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Antonio Bea
- Ekos Estudios Ambientales S.L.U., Donostia Etorbidea 2, Bajo 2, 20160, Lasarte, Spain
| | | | - Iñaki Olano
- Ekos Estudios Ambientales S.L.U., Donostia Etorbidea 2, Bajo 2, 20160, Lasarte, Spain
| | - Diego Villanúa
- Navarra Environmental Management GAN-NIK, Calle Padre Adoain 219, 31015, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Saulius Švažas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Molecular identification of Sarcocystis wobeseri-like parasites in a new intermediate host species, the white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). Parasitol Res 2021; 120:1845-1850. [PMID: 33666756 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07103-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A reintroduced white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in moderate body condition was found dead and submitted for post-mortem examination. There were no signs of disease on gross pathological examination. Histopathological examination however revealed the presence of encysted protozoan parasites in pectoral and cardiac muscle sections. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of extracted genomic DNA and sequencing of four regions: the 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1, and RNA polymerase B (rpoB) loci, confirmed the presence of a Sarcocystis species in pectoral and cardiac muscle which appeared phylogenetically similar to Sarcocystis wobeseri. This is the first report of S. wobeseri-like infection in a white-tailed sea eagle revealing a new intermediate host species for this parasite.
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Sato AP, Goulart MDA, Konell AL, de Oliveira Koch M, da Fonseca FM, Morel AP, Locatelli-Dittrich R. Serosurvey of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Sarcocystis neurona in raptors and risk factor analysis. Parasitol Int 2021; 82:102312. [PMID: 33636361 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Raptors are carnivorous birds with great hunting ability. Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Sarcocystis spp. are intracellular Apicomplexan protozoans which infect a wide range of intermediate hosts, including birds. The aims of this study were to evaluate the serological reactivity of captive raptors serum to T. gondii, N. caninum and S. neurona antigens and identify possible risk factors associated with the infection. From August 2014 to September 2015, blood samples from 72 raptors were collected and serum samples were tested by immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Antigen slides were prepared using tachyzoites of T. gondii and N. caninum and using merozoites of S. neurona. Serum samples were tested at the following cut-off dilutions: 1:16 for T. gondii and 1:50 for N. caninum and S. neurona. An anti-chicken IgY antibody conjugated with FITC was used as a secondary antibody at 1:50 dilution. Out of the 72 raptors serum tested by IFAT, 2.7% reacted to N. caninum, 8.3% to T. gondii and 11.1% to S. neurona antigens. The region in which the sample was collected, the reason the raptors were kept in captivity and diet were statistically associated with seropositivity to T. gondii and the use of the birds and diet were statistically associated with seropositivity to N. caninum and S. neurona (p ≤ 0.05). We highlight the occurrence of these protozoans in birds of prey and the importance of good hygiene and feeding management of these birds in captivity to reduce the risk of protozoal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Sato
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários 1540, CEP 80035-050 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Miúriel de Aquino Goulart
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090, CEP 91540-000 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Aline Luiza Konell
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários 1540, CEP 80035-050 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Marilia de Oliveira Koch
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários 1540, CEP 80035-050 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Flávia Moreira da Fonseca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários 1540, CEP 80035-050 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Morel
- Hayabusa - Falconry Company and Environmental Consulting, Estrada da Carapina, 1001, CEP 95400-000 São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Locatelli-Dittrich
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários 1540, CEP 80035-050 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
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