Oldřich Sychra

Antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolates in cattle and house sparrows on two Czech dairy farms.

Rectal smears of calves, cows and young bulls, as well as cloacal smears of house sparrows (Passer domesticus), from farms at the villages of Sumice and Troskotovice, Czech Republic, were examined for E. coli resistant to 12 antimicrobials. The resistant isolates were tested for antimicrobial-resistance genes and integrons. Totals of 40% (n=183), 3% (n=95), 0% (n=33), and 9% (n=54) of Escherichia coli isolates from calves, cows, young bulls and house sparrows, respectively, were antimicrobial resistant. The following genes were identified in cattle E. coli isolates: tetA, tetB (isolates resistant to tetracycline), bla(TEM) (beta-lactams), strA, aadA (streptomycin), sul1, sul2 (sulphonamides), and cat, floR (chloramphenicol). Seven of 16 antimicrobial-resistant calf isolates from the Sumice farm possessed class 1 integrons with the aadA1 gene cassette integrated, 1 kb in size. On the Troskotovice farm, eight of 57 antimicrobial-resistant calf isolates possessed class 1 integrons. Integrons of 1.5kb with the dhfr1- aadA1 gene cassette were found in four isolates, followed by a 1kb integron with the aadA1 gene found in three isolates, and a 1.7kb integron with the dhfr17-aadA5 gene cassette and the phenotype ASSuTSxtNaCipCCfG. The prevalence of resistant E. coli in calves compared to adult cattle was much higher and probably was influenced by oral antimicrobial usage in calves, feeding with milk and colostrum from treated cows, as well as mechanisms unrelated to antimicrobial drug selection. Although house sparrows lived together with the cattle and came into contact with cattle waste on the farm, they were not infected by resistant E. coli isolates with the same characteristics as those found in cattle.

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) on chickens (Gallus gallus) from small backyard flocks in the eastern part of the Czech Republic

One hundred and sixty chickens (Gallus gallus) from 31 small, private backyard flocks in the eastern part of the Czech Republic were examined for chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera). At least one species of chewing lice was found on every bird examined. Seven species of chewing lice were identified in all; they had the following prevalences and mean intensities: Goniocotes gallinae (100%; 110 lice), Menopon gallinae (88%; 50), Menacanthus stramineus (48%; 17), Lipeurus caponis (35%; 12), Menacanthus cornutus (12%; 9), Cuclotogaster heterographus (1%; 4) and Goniocotes microthorax (1%; 3). Just two birds from a single flock were heavily infested with the ischnoceran species G. gallinae.

Avipoxvirus in blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla)

From July to September 2005, 1075 wild birds of 37 species were mist-netted at a location in the north-eastern part of the Czech Republic. The birds were examined for the presence of avipoxvirus lesions. This was demonstrated by electron microscopy in skin lesions in nine of 244 blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) examined (4% prevalence). Blackcaps skin bioptates were processed using the ultrathin section method. In skin bioptates, avipoxviruses were demonstrated in intracytoplasmic inclusions where, in addition to mature viruses, lipids and filamentous structures concentrated into large circular formations were found. The so-called additional inclusions were also found. These did not contain any virus components, and they served as the precursor of A-type intracytoplasmic inclusions. Blackcap avipoxvirus was isolated by passage on the chorioallantoic membrane of 9-day-old chicken embryos. The virus was successfully adapted after 11 passages (each passage lasted 5 to 7 days), at which time a marked changes in the form of tiny nodules 2 to 3 mm in diameter were observed on the chorioallantoic membrane. Further identification of field isolates and of the cultured virus was carried out using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Sequences were compared with consensus sequences of both canarypoxviruses and fowlpoxviruses. Our sequence was found to be 98.8% identical to the canarypox consensus sequence, but only 63% identical to the fowlpox consensus sequence. Our avipoxvirus sequence was proven to be significantly more closely related to canarypoxviruses than to fowlpoxviruses also by phylogenetic analysis.

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) from wild birds in Senegal, with descriptions of three new species of the genera Brueelia and Philopteroides

A total of 170 wild birds from Senegal, belonging to 48 species and 9 orders, were searched for lice in 2005 and 2007. Chewing lice were found on 58 birds of 18 species and 5 orders (Columbiformes, Cuculiformes, Coraciiformes, Galliformes and Passeriformes). Twenty-two species of chewing lice of 13 genera were determined. Other nine samples of chewing lice that represent a new host-parasite association were determined at generic level only, because only one sex or nymph of these lice were found. Our records represent the first louse records from passerines Camaroptera brachyura (Cisticolidae), Chalcomitra senegalensis (Nectariniidae), Corvinella corvina (Laniidae), Laniarius barbarus (Malaconotidae), Prinia erythroptera (Cisticolidae) and Turdus pelios (Turdidae). Descriptions and illustrations are given for Brueelia chalcomitrae Najer et Sychra sp. nov. ex Chalcomitra senegalensis (Nectariniidae), Brueelia priniae Najer et Sychra sp. nov. ex Prinia subflava (Cisticolidae), and Philopteroides terpsiphoni Najer et Sychra sp. nov. ex Terpsiphone viridis (Monarchidae).

Host generalists and specialists emerging side by side: an analysis of evolutionary patterns in the cosmopolitan chewing louse genus Menacanthus.

Parasites with wide host spectra provide opportunities to study the ecological parameters of speciation, as well as the process of the evolution of host specificity. The speciose and cosmopolitan louse genus Menacanthus comprises both multi-host and specialised species, allowing exploration of the ecological and historical factors affecting the evolution of parasites using a comparative approach. We used phylogenetic analysis to reconstruct evolutionary relationships in 14 species of Menacanthus based on the sequences of one mitochondrial and one nuclear gene. The results allowed us to validate species identification based on morphology, as well as to explore host distribution by assumed generalist and specialist species. Our analyses confirmed a narrow host use for several species, however in some cases, the supposed host specialists had a wider host spectrum than anticipated. In one case a host generalist (Menacanthus eurysternus) was clustered terminally on a clade almost exclusively containing host specialists. Such a clade topology indicates that the process of host specialisation may not be irreversible in parasite evolution. Finally, we compared patterns of population genetic structure, geographic distribution and host spectra between two selected species, M. eurysternus and Menacanthus camelinus, using haplotype networks. Menacanthus camelinus showed limited geographical distribution in combination with monoxenous host use, whereas M. eurysternus showed a global distribution and lack of host specificity. It is suggested that frequent host switching maintains gene flow between M. eurysternus populations on unrelated hosts in local populations. However, gene flow between geographically distant localities was restricted, suggesting that geography rather than host-specificity is the main factor defining the global genetic diversity of M. eurysternus.

Chewing lice from wild passerines (Aves, Passeriformes) from Vietnam, with description of a new species of the genus Brueelia (Phthiraptera, Ischnocera, Philopteridae)

Seven species of chewing lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) were found on six species of passerine birds (Passeriformes) in northern Vietnam. A description and illustrations of Brueelia alophoixi sp. nov. ex Alophoixus pallidus (Pycnonotidae) are given. New host records are: Abroscopus superciliaris (Sylviidae) for Myrsidea sp.; and Orthotomus sutorius (Sylviidae) and Lonchura striata (Estrildidae) for Brueelia spp.

Cutaneous trematode Collyriclum faba in wild birds in Costa Rica

SummaryAn adult Collyriclum faba was found in a cutaneous cyst at the base of the lower mandible in a blue-gray tanager (Thraupis episcopus, Thraupidae) examined in the Zona Protectora Las Tablas, Costa Rica on 18 August 2010. A total of 1878 birds belonging to 217 species were examined in the country during 2004, 2009, and 2010. C. faba was found for the first time in blue-gray tanager and for the first time in Costa Rica as well.

New record of Afrimenopon waar (Eichler) (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) from budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae) from Karachi, Pakistan

Chewing lice of the species Afrimenopon waar (Eichler) were collected from captive budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus (Shaw) in Pakistan. This is the first record of amblyceran lice from this host. It is also the first record of the genus Afrimenopon from Pakistani region. The primary host species of Afrimenopon waar is the rosy-faced lovebird Agapornis roseicollis (Vieillot). The finding of A. waar on budgerigars is, most likely, a result of a contamination in captivity. Morphological variation and origin of these lice are discussed.

Chewing Lice in Azorean Blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla): A Contribution to Parasite Island Syndromes

Abstract:  Focusing upon chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera) parasitizing blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) in the Azores (Portugal), we found a lower number of louse species in the Azores compared to mainland Europe. Only chewing lice host specific to blackcaps were found in the Azores. Louse prevalences were much higher in blackcaps from the Azores compared to those of various mainland populations. Chewing lice are permanent parasites of birds, and for such parasites the parasite island syndrome could be characterized by higher parasite prevalence on the islands compared to the mainland.

Identity of Menacanthus obrteli Balát (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) from the Savi's warbler (Passeriformes: Sylviidae)

The louse Menacanthus obrteli Balát, 1981 is resurrected from synonymy as a valid species, with Locustella luscinioides, the Savi’s warbler, as the type-host. Both sexes of this louse species are redescribed and illustrated.