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Chwoyka C, Linhard D, Durstberger T, Zaller JG. Ornamental plants as vectors of pesticide exposure and potential threat to biodiversity and human health. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:49079-49099. [PMID: 39044056 PMCID: PMC11310276 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34363-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
The production of conventional ornamental plants is pesticide-intensive. We investigated whether pesticide active ingredients (AIs) are still present in ornamentals at the time of purchase and assessed their potential ecotoxicity to non-target organisms. We purchased 1000 pot plants and 237 cut flowers of different species from garden centers in Austria and Germany between 2011 and 2021 and analyzed them for up to 646 AIs. Ecotoxicological risks of AIs were assessed by calculating toxic loads for honeybees (Apis mellifera), earthworms (Eisenia fetida), birds (Passer domesticus), and mammals (Rattus norvegicus) based on the LD50 values of the detected AIs. Human health risks of AIs were assessed on the basis of the hazard statements of the Globally Harmonized System. Over the years, a total of 202 AIs were detected in pot plants and 128 AIs in cut flowers. Pesticide residues were found in 94% of pot plants and 97% of cut flowers, with cut flowers containing about twice as many AIs (11.0 ± 6.2 AIs) as pot plants (5.8 ± 4.0 AIs). Fungicides and insecticides were found most frequently. The ecotoxicity assessment showed that 47% of the AIs in pot plants and 63% of the AIs in cut flowers were moderately toxic to the considered non-target organisms. AIs found were mainly toxic to honeybees; their toxicity to earthworms, birds, and mammals was about 105 times lower. Remarkably, 39% of the plants labeled as "bee-friendly" contained AIs that were toxic to bees. More than 40% of pot plants and 72% of cut flowers contained AIs classified as harmful to human health. These results suggest that ornamental plants are vectors for potential pesticide exposure of consumers and non-target organisms in home gardens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecily Chwoyka
- Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Institute of Zoology, BOKU University, 1180, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dominik Linhard
- Umweltforschungsinstitut & Umweltorganisation Global 2000 (Friends of the Earth Austria), Neustiftgasse 36, 1070, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Durstberger
- Umweltforschungsinstitut & Umweltorganisation Global 2000 (Friends of the Earth Austria), Neustiftgasse 36, 1070, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johann G Zaller
- Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Institute of Zoology, BOKU University, 1180, Vienna, Austria.
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Patson CN, Elsmo EJ, Trepanier L, Garner MM, Murray MJ, Bronson E, Clarke LL, Cox SK, Ossiboff RJ, Iredale ME, Miller BM, Waxman L, Littman E, Thurber MI. FATAL ACUTE HEMOLYSIS FOLLOWING TRIAZOLE THERAPY IN AFRICAN PENGUINS ( SPHENISCUS DEMERSUS). J Zoo Wildl Med 2024; 55:479-489. [PMID: 38875206 DOI: 10.1638/2023-0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Aspergillosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in penguins, with triazole antifungal drugs being commonly used for prophylaxis and treatment. This report describes 15 cases of fatal hemolysis associated with liquid itraconazole and voriconazole formulations administered to African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) from four institutions. All penguins underwent stressful events (e.g. relocation, induced molt) and were administered commercial liquid itraconazole formulations or compounded voriconazole liquid suspension. Observed clinical signs in affected penguins prior to death included hyporexia, weight loss, lethargy, dyspnea, red-tinged droppings, and obtunded mentation. Intra- and extravascular hemolysis and hemoglobinuric nephrosis were the primary pathologic manifestations on postmortem examination. The concentration-dependent hemolytic potentials of itraconazole, voriconazole, and commercial and compounded vehicle suspensions were evaluated in vitro by exposing chicken whole blood as a surrogate for penguin blood. Hemoglobin content in blood plasma was then measured by spectrophotometry. Neither itraconazole nor voriconazole alone induced hemolysis in vitro. The vehicle ingredients sorbitol and hydromellose induced hemolysis, but not at predicted plasma levels in chicken erythrocytes, suggesting neither the azole antifungals nor their major vehicles alone were likely to contribute to hemolysis in vivo in these penguins. Potential mechanisms of toxicosis include generation of an unmeasured reactive metabolite causing hemolysis, preexisting erythrocyte fragility, or species-specific differences in hemolytic thresholds that were not assessed in the chicken erythrocyte model. More research is needed on the potential for toxicosis of azole antifungal drugs and carrier molecules in this and other avian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney N Patson
- Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | | | - Lauren Trepanier
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | | | | | | | - Lorelei L Clarke
- Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Sherry K Cox
- University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA
| | - Robert J Ossiboff
- Department of Comparative Diagnostic and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Marley E Iredale
- Department of Comparative Diagnostic and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Bryce M Miller
- Department of Comparative Diagnostic and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | | | | | - Mary I Thurber
- Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA,
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Arné P, Risco-Castillo V, Jouvion G, Le Barzic C, Guillot J. Aspergillosis in Wild Birds. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:241. [PMID: 33807065 PMCID: PMC8004873 DOI: 10.3390/jof7030241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitous fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus are able to proliferate in a large number of environments on organic substrates. The spores of these opportunistic pathogens, when inhaled, can cause serious and often fatal infections in a wide variety of captive and free-roaming wild birds. The relative importance of innate immunity and the level of exposure in the development of the disease can vary considerably between avian species and epidemiological situations. Given the low efficacy of therapeutic treatments, it is essential that breeders or avian practitioners know the conditions that favor the emergence of Aspergillosis in order to put adequate preventive measures in place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Arné
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vétérinaire de la Faune Sauvage (Chuv-FS), 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (V.R.-C.); (C.L.B.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Dynamic Research Group UPEC, EnvA, USC Anses, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (G.J.); (J.G.)
| | - Veronica Risco-Castillo
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vétérinaire de la Faune Sauvage (Chuv-FS), 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (V.R.-C.); (C.L.B.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Dynamic Research Group UPEC, EnvA, USC Anses, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (G.J.); (J.G.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Biopôle Alfort, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Grégory Jouvion
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Dynamic Research Group UPEC, EnvA, USC Anses, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (G.J.); (J.G.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Biopôle Alfort, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Cécile Le Barzic
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vétérinaire de la Faune Sauvage (Chuv-FS), 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (V.R.-C.); (C.L.B.)
| | - Jacques Guillot
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Dynamic Research Group UPEC, EnvA, USC Anses, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (G.J.); (J.G.)
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Biopôle Alfort, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
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