Marta Brito Guimarães

Genotyping of Cryptosporidium spp. from free-living wild birds from Brazil.

In wild and domestic birds, cryptosporidiosis is often associated with infections by Cryptosporidium galli, Cryptosporidium baileyi and Cryptosporidium meleagridis. In addition to these species, a number of avian Cryptosporidium species yet to be fully characterized are commonly found among exotic and wild avian isolates. The present study aimed to detect and identify samples of Cryptosporidium spp. from free-living wild birds, in order to contribute to the knowledge of the variability of this parasite in the free-living population of Brazil. Stool samples were collected from 242 birds, with the following proportions of individuals: 50 Emberizidae (20.7%), 112 Psittacidae (46.3%), 44 Cardinalidae (18.2%), 12 Turdidae (5.0%), eight Ramphastidae (3.3%), seven Icteridae (2.9%), three Estrilididae (1.2%), two Contigidae (0.8%), two Thraupidae (0.8%) and two Fringilidae (0.8%). Among the 242 fecal samples from wild birds, 16 (6.6%) were positive for the presence of oocysts of Cryptosporidium. Molecular characterization of the 16 samples of Cryptosporidium, were performed with phylogenetic reconstructions employing 292 positions of 18S rDNA. None of the samples of birds was characterized as C. meleagridis. C. galli was identified in one rufous-bellied thrush (Turdus rufiventris), five green-winged saltators (Saltator similis), one slate-coloured seedeater (Sporophila schistacea), one goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) and three saffron finches (Sicalis flaveola). One goldfinch isolate, one buffy-fronted seedeater (Sporophila frontalis), one red-cowled cardinal (Paroaria dominicana) and one other saffron finch (S. flaveola) were identified as C. baileyi. Avian genotype II was found in an isolate from a white-eyed parakeet (Aratinga leucophthalma). Clinical symptoms of cryptosporidiosis in birds have already been described and the number of wild birds which were shedding parasites was high. Therefore, further epidemiological research and disease surveillance of birds in the wild is warranted.

Survey of bornaviruses in pet psittacines in Brazil reveals a novel parrot bornavirus.

Avian bornaviruses are the causative agents of proventricular dilatation disease (PDD), a fatal neurological disease considered to be a major threat to psittacine bird populations. We performed a survey of the presence of avian bornaviruses and PDD in pet psittacines in Brazil and also studied PDDs clinical presentation as well as the genomic variability of the viruses. Samples from 112 psittacines with clinical signs compatible with PDD were collected and tested for the presence of bornaviruses. We found 32 birds (28.6%) positive for bornaviruses using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Twenty-one (65.6%) of the 32 bornavirus-positive birds presented neurological signs, seven (21.9%) presented undigested seeds in feces, four (12.5%) showed proventricular dilatation, six (18.8%) regurgitation, three (9.4%) feather plucking and three (9.4%) sudden death. The results confirm that avian bornaviruses are present in pet psittacines in Brazil, and sequence analysis identified a distinct virus, named parrot bornavirus 8 (PaBV-8).

Caracterização molecular dos fatores de virulência de estirpes de Escherichia coli isoladas de papagaios com colibacilose aviária

Oito amostras de Escherichia coli isoladas de papagaios com colibacilose aviaria foram sorogrupadas e investigadas para a presenca dos fatores de virulencia: pili associado a pielonefrite (pap), fimbria S (sfa), adesina afimbrial (afa), capsula K1 (neu), curli (crl, csgA), hemaglutinina termosensivel (tsh), enterotoxinas termo-labil (LT) e termo-estavel (STa e STb), Shiga-like toxinas (Stx1 e Stx2), Fator citotoxico necrotizante (cnf1), hemolisina (hly), aerobactina (iuc) e resistencia serica (iss). Os resultados mostraram que os isolados pertenciam a seis sorogrupos: O23; O54; O64; O76; O128 e O152. Os genes de virulencia detectados foram: crl+ em todos os isolados; pap+; iss+ e iuc+ em tres isolados, tsh+ em dois isolados. Todas as amostras foram negativas para os genes neu, csgA, sfa, afa, hly, cnf e para as toxinas LT, STa, STb, Stx1 e Stx2. Estes resultados sugerem que amostras de E. coli isoladas de papagaios apresentam alguns fatores de virulencia das amostras do patotipo de E. coli patogenica para aves (APEC).

Retrospective study of ocular disorders in Amazon parrots

A retrospective study was conducted to identify the occurrence and types of ocular disorders in 57 Amazon parrots admitted to the Ophthalmology Service, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil from 1997 to 2006. The most frequent observed disorder was cataracts, present in 24 of the 114 examined eyes (57 parrots). Uveitis, ulcerative keratitis and keratoconjunctivitis were frequently diagnosed as well. The cornea was the most affected ocular structure, with 28 reported disorders. Uveal disorders also were commonly observed. Conjunctiva and eyelid disorders were diagnosed in lower frequency. Results suggest that cataracts are common and that cornea, lens and uvea are the most affected ocular structures in Amazon parrots.

Virulence and antimicrobial resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from passerine and psittacine birds

ABSTRACT Klebsiella pneumoniae is considered one of the most important Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens. The contact between humans and birds poses health risks to both. The aim of this study was to investigate the resistance and virulence of K. pneumoniae isolates from psittacines and passerines, seized from illegal trade in Brazil. We analysed 32 strains isolated from birds of the orders Psittaciformes and Passeriformes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for virulence factor genes. Antibiotic resistance was assessed by disk diffusion assay and PCR. The results indicated that fimH (100%), uge (96.8%), kfu (81.2%) and irp-2 (68.7%) were the most common virulence genes, followed by kpn (46.8%), K2 (43.7%), mrkD (34.3%) and iroN (15.6%). The combination of virulence genes resulted in a great diversity of genotypes and the heterogeneity of the strains is also confirmed in the analysis by amplified fragment length polymorphism. The susceptibility profiles of the K. pneumoniae showed 25% of multiple antibiotic resistance strains. We identified seven strains that presented non-extended spectrum beta lactamase blaSHV variants SHV-1 and SHV-11 and one strain positive to the blaTEM-1 gene. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance was present in 10 strains (10/32). The data obtained in this study reveal the pathogenic potential of this pathogen and highlight the need for surveillance and monitoring.

Clostridium perfringens Type A Enteritis in Blue and Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna)

SUMMARY This study describes an outbreak of necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens type A in captive macaws (Ara ararauna). Two psittacine birds presented a history of prostration and died 18 hr after manifestation of clinical signs. The necropsy findings and histopathologic lesions were indicative of necrotic enteritis. Microbiologic assays resulted in the growth of large gram-positive bacilli that were identified as C. perfringens. PCR was used to identify clostridium toxinotypes and confirmed the identification of isolated strains as C. perfringens type A, positive to gene codifying beta 2 toxin. The infection source and predisposing factors could not be ascertained. RESUMEN Reporte de Caso—Enteritis por Clostridium perfringens tipo A en guacamayos azul y amarillo (Ara ararauna). Este estudio describe un brote de enteritis necrótica causada por Clostridium perfringens tipo A en guacamayos azul y amarillo (Ara ararauna). Dos aves psitácidas presentaron una historia de postración y murieron 18 horas después de la manifestación de los signos clínicos. Los resultados de la necropsia y las lesiones histopatológicas fueron indicativos de la enteritis necrótica. Los ensayos microbiológicos dieron como resultado el crecimiento de bacilos gram-positivos grandes que fueron identificados como C. perfringens. Se utilizó PCR para identificar los tipos de toxinas clostridiales y este método confirmó la identificación de las cepas aisladas como C. perfringens tipo A, positivas para el gene que codifica para la toxina beta 2. La fuente de la infección y los factores predisponentes no se pudieron determinar.

Pesquisa de bactérias gram-negativas em canários-da-terra (Sicalis flaveola) resgatados do tráfico ilegal de aves no Brasil

Passerines such as canaries or finches are the most unlawfully captured species that are sent to wildlife centers in São Paulo, Brazil. Captured birds may have infection by opportunistic bacteria in stressful situations. This fact becomes relevant when seized passerine are reintroduced. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health state of finches from illegal wildlife trade using microbiological approaches. Microbiological samples were collected by cloacal and tracheal swabs of 100 birds, captured during 2012 and 2013. The results indicate high frequency of gram-negative bacteria in feces and oropharynx, especially from the Enterobacteriaceae family (97.5%). The most frequent genera were Escherichia coli (46.5%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (10.4%). Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia liquefaciens, Serratia spp. Klebsiella oxytoca and Citrobacter freundii were isolated with lower frequency from asymptomatic birds. The presence of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and Shiga toxinproducing strain (STEC) confirm the zoonotic risks and public health concern.

A Case Report of Avian Polyomavirus Infection in a Blue Fronted Parrot (Amazona aestiva) Associated with Anemia

An adult Blue Fronted Amazon parrot (A. aestiva) presenting with emesis, apathy, undigested seed in feces, and severe anemia was treated for approximately 2 months. Upon radiographic examination, an enlarged kidney was the only alteration. PCR for avian Bornavirus, Circovirus, and Polyomavirus was performed for the feces and blood. The results were positive for APV in both samples and negative for the other viruses. After 6 months, the feces from the same animal were negative for APV. Because the animal was positive for APV in both the feces and the blood, it is likely that these clinical symptoms were due to Polyomavirus infection. Severe anemia is an unusual clinical sign of Polyomavirus, and this study aims to identify novel differential diagnostic criteria for the disease.