Survey of pathogens in threatened wild red-tailed Amazon parrot (Amazona brasiliensis) nestlings in Rasa Island, Brazil

Author(s):Show less -

Vaz, Frederico Fontanelli ; Serafini, Patricia Pereira ; Locatelli-Dittrich, Rosangela ; Meurer, Rafael ; Durigon, Edison Luiz ; de Araujo, Jansen ; Thomazelli, Luciano Matsumiya ; Ometto, Tatiana ; Bastos Sipinski, Elenise Angelotti ; Sezerban, Rafael Meirelles ; Abbud, Maria Cecilia ; Raso, Tania Freitas

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brazilian Journal of Microbiology; v. 48, n. 4, p. 7-pg., 2017-10-01.

Abstract

The red-tailed Amazon parrot (Amazona brasiliensis) is a threatened species of psittacine bird that inhabit coastal regions of Brazil. In view of the threat of this species, the aim of this study was to perform a health evaluation in wild nestlings in Rasa Island, determining the prevalence of enterobacteria and infectious agents according to type of nest. Blood samples were collected from 64 birds and evaluated for antibodies of Chlamydia psittaci by commercial dot-blot ELISA. Cloacal and oropharyngeal swabs samples were collected from 23 birds from artificial wooden nests, 15 birds from PVC nests and 2 birds from natural nests for microbiological analysis. Swab samples were collected from 58 parrots for C. psittaci detection by PCR and from 50 nestlings for Avian Influenza, Newcastle Disease and West Nile viruses' detection analysis by real-time RT-PCR. Ten bacterial genera and 17 species were identified, and the most prevalent were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella oxytoca. There was no influence of the type of nest in the nestlings' microbiota. All samples tested by ELISA and PCR were negative. There is currently insufficient information available about the health of A. brasiliensis and data of this study provide a reference point for future evaluations and aid in conservation plans. (C) 2017 Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/05485-2 - Study of Newcastle disease virus by real-time RT-PCR method in wild birds from different regions of Brazil and the Antarctic
• Grantee: Luciano Matsumiya Thomazelli
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/13821-7 - Comparative eco-epidemiology of avian influenza virus in migratory birds in Brazilian territory
• Grantee: Jansen de Araujo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 09/05994-9 - Surveillance of West Nile Virus in Brazil
• Grantee: Tatiana Ometto de Araujo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)