Comparative morphometric evaluation of hepatic hemosiderosis in wild Magellanic penguins (Spbeniscus magellanicus) infected with different Plasmodium spp. subgenera

Author(s)

Ewbank, Ana Carolina ; Strefezzi, Ricardo de Francisco ; Sacristan, Carlos ; Miyaji Kolesnikovas, Cristiane Kiyomi ; Martins, Aryse ; Silva Pereira Mayorga, Luis Felipe ; Thijl Vanstreels, Ralph Eric ; Catao-Dias, Jose Luiz

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA; v. 28, n. 1, p. 12-pg., 2019-01-01.

Abstract

Avian malaria is one of the most important diseases of captive penguins. We employed morphometric techniques to evaluate hepatic hemosiderosis in rehabilitating wild Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) that were negative (n = 9) or naturally infected by different subgenera of Plasmodium spp. (n = 24), according with: Plasmodium subgenera (Haemamoeba, Huffia, Other lineages, and Unidentified lineages), severity of Plasmodium histopathological lesions, and concurrent diseases, age class (juvenile or adult plumage), sex (male, female or not determined), body score (emaciated, thin, good, excellent, not available), molt, presence or absence of oil contamination upon admission, iron supplementation, and rehabilitation center. The percentage of the area occupied by hemosiderin was called 'Index of Hepatic Hemosiderosis (IHH)'. Plasmodium-positive females presented significantly higher IHH values (17.53 +/- 12.95%) than males (7.20 +/- 4.25%; p = 0.041). We observed higher levels of congestion (p = 0.0182) and pneumonia (p = 0.0250) severity between Unidentified lineages vs. Huffia. We believe that the hepatic hemosiderosis observed in this study was multifactorial, the result of pathological processes caused by malaria, molting, hemoglobin and myoglobin catabolism during migration, anemia, concomitant diseases, and iron supplementation, all possibly potentiated by decreased liver mass. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of these hypotheses. (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)