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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Epidemiology and pathology of avian malaria in penguins undergoing rehabilitation in Brazil

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Author(s):
Thijl Vanstreels, Ralph Eric [1] ; da Silva-Filho, Rodolfo Pinho [2] ; Miyaji Kolesnikovas, Cristiane Kiyomi [3] ; Campos Bhering, Renata Cristina [4] ; Ruoppolo, Valeria [5, 1] ; Epiphanio, Sabrina [6] ; Amaku, Marcos [7] ; Ferreira Junior, Francisco Carlos [8] ; Braga, Erika Martins [8] ; Catao-Dias, Jose Luiz [1]
Total Authors: 10
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Patol, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Lab Patol Comparada Anim Selvagens, BR-05088000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Rio Grande, Museu Oceanog Prof Eliezer de Carvalho Rios, Ctr Recuperacao Anim Marinhos, BR-92200580 Rio Grande, RS - Brazil
[3] Assoc R3 Anim, BR-88061500 Florianopolis, SC - Brazil
[4] Inst Estadual Meio Ambiente & Recursos Hidr, Inst Pesquisa & Reabilitacao Anim Marinhos, BR-29140130 Cariacica, ES - Brazil
[5] Int Fund Anim Welf, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 - USA
[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut, Dept Anal Clin & Toxicol, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[7] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Med Vet Prevent & Saude Anim, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Lab Epidemiol & Bioestat, BR-05088000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[8] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Parasitol, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 8
Document type: Journal article
Source: VETERINARY RESEARCH; v. 46, MAR 13 2015.
Web of Science Citations: 25
Abstract

Seabird rehabilitation is a valuable strategy to mitigate the impacts of oil pollution and other anthropogenic factors, and can significantly contribute to the conservation of penguins. However, infectious diseases such as avian malaria (Plasmodium spp.) can hamper the success of rehabilitation efforts. We combined morphological and molecular diagnostic methods to investigate the epidemiology and pathology of Plasmodium in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) at rehabilitation centers along 2500 km of the coastline of Brazil. True prevalence of malarial parasites was estimated between 6.6% and 13.5%. We identified five species, three of which had not been described infecting penguins (P. cathemerium, P. nucleophilum, P. unalis); an additional five distinct Plasmodium lineages were also distinguished, and albeit unidentified these clearly correspond to species that also have not yet been reported in penguins. Our results indicate that the diversity of plasmodia that may infect these birds is greater than previously recognised. Considering the well-defined seasonality observed in this study, it is clear that rehabilitation centers could benefit by narrowing their preventative efforts on penguins maintained or admitted during the Austral spring-summer, particularly by preventing mosquitoes from coming into contact with penguins. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 10/51801-5 - Avian malaria and penguins in Brazil: epidemiological and pathological investigations of a disease with potential risks to avian conservation
Grantee:Jose Luiz Catao Dias
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 09/53956-9 - Study of avian malaria in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) kept in selected Brazilian coast rehabilitation centers
Grantee:Ralph Eric Thijl Del Val Onoro Vanstreels
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)