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von Dohlen AR, Scott D, Dubey JP, Lindsay DS. Prevalence of Sarcocysts in the Muscles of Raptors from a Rehabilitation Center in North Carolina. J Parasitol 2019; 105:11-16. [PMID: 30807729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The life cycle of Sarcocystis species is heteroxenous (2-host), with carnivores being the definitive host and herbivores serving as intermediate hosts in predator-prey relationships. Raptors (eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls) are apex predators and are not consumed routinely by other carnivores, making the occurrence of sarcocysts in their muscles unusual. Recent reports of sarcocysts in eagles and owls with Sarcocystis encephalitis suggests that this condition may be becoming more frequent, and Sarcocystis falcatula has been implicated as the agent of encephalitis in golden ( Aquila chrysaetos) and bald eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus) as well as great horned owls ( Bubo virginianus). The present study was done to determine the prevalence of sarcocysts of Sarcocystis species in the muscles of raptors from the southeastern United States. Pectoral and heart muscle from 204 raptor patients from the Carolina Raptor Center, Huntersville, North Carolina were tested for the presence of Sarcocystis species using histology. Only a few sarcocysts were seen in sections of pectoral muscle from 39 of 204 raptors (19.1%) and heart muscle from 9 that also had sarcocysts in their pectoral muscle. Two structural types of sarcocysts, thin-walled (1 μm; 62%) or thick-walled (>2 μm, 38%), were seen. Statistical analysis of raptor age and gender was done by Fisher's exact test on samples from raptors with 20 or more samples per group. The prevalence of sarcocysts by age (2 yr or more) was significant for red-shouldered hawks ( Buteo lineatus) ( P = 0.022) and Cooper's hawks ( Accipiter cooperii) ( P = 0.028). Sarcocyst prevalence in male raptors from these groups evaluated statistically were always less than in females. Prevalence in female red-tailed hawks ( Buteo jamaicensis) (42.1%) was significantly greater than in males (6.7%) using Fisher's exact test ( P = 0.047). Examination of case histories from the 39 sarcocyst-positive raptors did not reveal an association with sarcocysts in raptor pectoral or heart muscle and in a diagnosis of encephalitis. Additional studies are needed to determine the epidemiology and relationships of Sarcocystis spp. that use raptors as intermediate hosts and the importance of Sarcocystis spp. in the overall wellbeing of raptors in their natural environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Rosypal von Dohlen
- 1 Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, North Carolina 28216
| | - David Scott
- 2 Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, North Carolina 28078
| | - J P Dubey
- 3 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705
| | - David S Lindsay
- 4 Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Center for One Health Research, Virginia Tech, 1410 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
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Dubey JP, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Murata FHA, Mowery JD, Scott D, von Dohlen AR, Lindsay DS. Confirmation of Sarcocystis jamaicensis Sarcocysts in IFN-γ Gene Knockout Mice Orally Inoculated with Sporocysts from a Red-Tailed Hawk ( Buteo jamaicensis). J Parasitol 2019; 105:143-145. [PMID: 30807718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we report confirmation of sarcocysts of Sarcocystis jamaicensis in an experimental intermediate host, IFN-γ gene knockout (KO) mice orally inoculated sporocysts from its natural definitive host, a red-tailed hawk ( Buteo jamaicensis) (RTH). A RTH submitted to the Carolina Raptor Center, Huntersville, North Carolina, was euthanized because it could not be rehabilitated and released. Fully sporulated sporocysts from intestinal scrapings of the RTH were orally fed to 2 laboratory-reared outbred Swiss Webster mice (SW; Mus musculus) and to 2 KO mice. The sporocysts were infective for KO mice but not to SW mice. Both SW mice remained asymptomatic, and neither schizonts nor sarcocysts were found in their tissues when euthanized on day 54 post-inoculation (PI). The KO mice developed neurological signs and were necropsied 38-54 days PI. Schizonts/merozoites were found in both KO mice euthanized and they were confined to the brain. The predominant lesion was meningoencephalitis. Microscopic sarcocysts were found in muscles of both KO mice. When viewed with light microscopy, the sarcocyst wall appeared thin (<1 μm thick) and smooth. Ultrastructural details of sarcocysts are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Dubey
- 1 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - Camila K Cerqueira-Cézar
- 1 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - Fernando H A Murata
- 1 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350
| | - J D Mowery
- 2 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Electron and Confocal Microscopy Unit, Building 12, Beltsville, Maryland 20705
| | - D Scott
- 3 Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, North Carolina 28078
| | - A Rosypal von Dohlen
- 4 Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, North Carolina 28216
| | - David S Lindsay
- 5 Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
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Mayr SL, Maier K, Müller J, Enderlein D, Gruber AD, Lierz M. Accipiter hawks (Accipitridae) confirmed as definitive hosts of Sarcocystis turdusi, Sarcocystis cornixi and Sarcocystis sp. ex Phalacrocorax carbo. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:3041-7. [PMID: 27083188 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5059-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Sarcocystis is a large genus of protozoan parasites with complex heteroxenous life cycles. For many species, either the intermediate or the definitive host is still unknown. In this study, 116 Accipiter hawks (Eurasian sparrowhawks and northern goshawks) were investigated for the presence of Sarcocystis spp. in their intestinal tract or their faeces. To gain a wide distribution, samples were collected throughout Germany within 2 years. It was possible to detect Sarcocystis-like oocysts in 65 samples. Sequencing of the ITS region or species-specific PCR identified 33 samples as Sarcocystis turdusi/Sarcocystis sp. ex A. nisus (18), Sarcocystis calchasi (6), Sarcocystis columbae (3), Sarcocystis cornixi (3) and Sarcocystis sp. ex Phalacrocorax carbo (3). Besides the known infestation with S. columbae, S. sp. ex A. nisus and S. calchasi the Accipiter hawks were thereby confirmed as definitive host of S. turdusi, S. cornixi and S. sp. ex Phalacrocorax carbo for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia L Mayr
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 91-93, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Kristina Maier
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 91-93, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jana Müller
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 91-93, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dirk Enderlein
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 91-93, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Achim D Gruber
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 15, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Lierz
- Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 91-93, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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Santiago-Alarcon D, Whiteman NK, Parker PG, Ricklefs RE, Valkiūnas G. Patterns of Parasite Abundance and Distribution in Island Populations of Galápagos Endemic Birds. J Parasitol 2008; 94:584-90. [PMID: 18605785 DOI: 10.1645/ge-1351.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2007] [Accepted: 10/03/2007] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Santiago-Alarcon
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri-St. Louis and Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center, St. Louis, Missouri 63121, USA.
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Whiteman NK, Kimball RT, Parker PG. Co-phylogeography and comparative population genetics of the threatened Galápagos hawk and three ectoparasite species: ecology shapes population histories within parasite communities. Mol Ecol 2007; 16:4759-73. [PMID: 18028178 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2007.03512.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Noah K Whiteman
- Department of Biology and Harris World Ecology Center, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St Louis, MO 63121, USA.
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Bolette DP. A NEW OLIGACANTHORHYNCHID ACANTHOCEPHALAN DESCRIBED FROM THE GREAT HORNED OWL, BUBO VIRGINIANUS (STRIGIDAE), AND RED-TAILED HAWK, BUTEO JAMAICENSIS (ACCIPITRIDAE), FROM CENTRAL ARIZONA, U.S.A. J Parasitol 2007; 93:120-8. [PMID: 17436950 DOI: 10.1645/ge-3573.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligacanthorhynchus nickoli n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) is described from the great-horned owl, Bubo virginianus (Gmelin, 1788) (type host), and red-tailed hawk, Buteojamaicensis (Gmelin, 1788), collected in central Arizona. The new species is most similar to Oligacanthorhynchus iheringi and Oligacanthorhynchus minor, but it differs from all congeners primarily by trunk length, proboscis size and armature, egg size, geographical range, and host species. It is distinguished from the 9 Oligacanthorhynchus species occurring in avian hosts from both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Descriptions of juvenile forms of O. nickoli from the intestine of B. jamaicensis are provided from recently ingested cystacanths with everted proboscides.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P Bolette
- University of Pittsburgh, Laboratory Animal Resources, S1040 Biomedical Science Tower, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA.
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Valim MP, Palma RL. The correct identity of a louse sample (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) from the roadside hawk, Rupornis magnirostris (Gmelin) (Falconiformes: Accipitridae). Neotrop Entomol 2007; 36:157-9. [PMID: 17420877 DOI: 10.1590/s1519-566x2007000100022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2006] [Accepted: 10/13/2006] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
A report of a louse sample identified as Colpocephalum cholibae Price & Beer by Oliveira et al. (2004), from the roadside hawk [Rupornis magnirostris (Gmelin)] in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, is regarded as a misidentification. A correction to the identity of the lice is given as Kurodaia (Kurodaia) fulvofasciata (Piaget). Key morphological differences between the genera Colpocephalum and Kurodaia are discussed, as well as possible reasons for the misidentification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel P Valim
- Programa de Pós-Graduação, Depto. Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Univ. Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. mpvalim@hotmail,com
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Whiteman NK, Matson KD, Bollmer JL, Parker PG. Disease ecology in the Galápagos Hawk (Buteo galapagoensis): host genetic diversity, parasite load and natural antibodies. Proc Biol Sci 2006; 273:797-804. [PMID: 16618672 PMCID: PMC1560217 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2005.3396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An increased susceptibility to disease is one hypothesis explaining how inbreeding hastens extinction in island endemics and threatened species. Experimental studies show that disease resistance declines as inbreeding increases, but data from in situ wildlife systems are scarce. Genetic diversity increases with island size across the entire range of an extremely inbred Galápagos endemic bird, providing the context for a natural experiment examining the effects of inbreeding on disease susceptibility. Extremely inbred populations of Galápagos hawks had higher parasite abundances than relatively outbred populations. We found a significant island effect on constitutively produced natural antibody (NAb) levels and inbred populations generally harboured lower average and less variable NAb levels than relatively outbred populations. Furthermore, NAb levels explained abundance of amblyceran lice, which encounter the host immune system. This is the first study linking inbreeding, innate immunity and parasite load in an endemic, in situ wildlife population and provides a clear framework for assessment of disease risk in a Galápagos endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Kerness Whiteman
- Department of Biology & International Center for Tropical Ecology, University of Missouri-St Louis, St Louis, MO 63121, USA.
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Abstract
A male Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni) at a rehabilitation facility in Colorado was presented with severe crusting of the skin on the medial thighs and caudal ventral body. Male and female Knemidokoptes mites were found on a cellophane tape preparation of the affected area. The hawk's clinical signs resolved with treatment with ivermectin administered at 200 microg/kg, i.m., every 10 days for three treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Miller
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1620, USA
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Abstract
Theory predicts a positive relationship between parasite infection intensity and host density. However, this generalization is complicated in natural systems by differences in life history among parasite taxa, e.g., transmissibility. Accordingly, predictions relating host density to parasite load should be specific to each parasite taxon. To illustrate this, we studied parasites that differed greatly in life history in the context of the Galapagos hawk's (Buteo galapagoensis) variably cooperative mating system. Two louse (Phthiraptera) species were collected: Colpocephalum turbinatum (Amblycera), with 53 host species, and Degeeriella regalis (Ischnocera), with 10 host species, although B. galapagoensis was the only known Galapagos host. Sixty territorial adult male hawks from 26 groups of 1-6 males were quantitatively sampled for lice. Average abundance and intensity of C. turbinatum but not D. regalis were significantly larger in large groups of hawks than small groups. Males from the same polyandrous group harbored significantly correlated abundances of C. turbinatum but not D. regalis. Prevalence, average abundance, and intensity of C. turbinatum were significantly higher than D. regalis. These are the first results to demonstrate significant differences in a suite of population responses between these louse suborders in the context of host sociality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Kerness Whiteman
- Department of Biology and International Center for Tropical Ecology, University of Missouri-St Louis, St Louis, Missouri 63121, USA.
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