Acute Fatal Toxoplasmosis in a Great Spotted Woodpecker (<i>Dendrocopos major</i>)

Jokelainen, Pikka; Vikøren, Turid

doi:10.7589/2013-03-057

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 16 publications

(19 reference statements)

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“…Woodpeckers have been shown to help control forest insect populations (Fayt et al, 2005) and may help disperse fungi that act as agents of decay (Jusino et al, 2016). Documented woodpecker mortalities attributed to pathogens have been represented by case studies describing single individuals (Gerhold and Yabsley, 2007; Siegel et al, 2012; Garigliany et al, 2014; Jokelainen and Vikøren, 2014), leading to little baseline information on etiological agents of mortality. Health factors, such as haemosporidian infections, impacting population growth rates or the ability of the species to maintain healthy population levels could have a significant impact on forest ecosystem function.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Haemoproteosis lethality in a woodpecker, with molecular and morphological characterization of Haemoproteus velans (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae)

Groff

Lorenz

Crespo

et al. 2019

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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A juvenile White-headed woodpecker ( Dryobates albolarvatus ) fitted with a radio tag was located dead at approximately 22-days post-fledging in Yakima county in central Washington in July 2015. Postmortem examination revealed an enlarged liver and spleen plus evidence of iron sequestration. Microscopic examination observed young gametocytes within the cytoplasm of erythrocytes, and exo-erythrocytic meronts within the cytoplasm of capillary endothelial cells, hepatocytes, and myocytes, and free in the tissues. These attributes implicated a haemosporidian infection that likely resulted in mortality. Subsequent sampling results of local woodpecker species in the same area during the breeding season in June–July 2016 and May–July 2017 showed other individuals infected with Haemoproteus parasites. Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), sequencing, and microscopic analyses for avian haemosporidians revealed infections with Haemoproteus velans (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae). This parasite was characterized molecularly and morphologically. This is the first report of a haemosporidian infection in a White-headed woodpecker anywhere in its range, and the first reported suspected mortality from haemoproteosis for a woodpecker (Piciformes, Picidae). The use of radio-tagged birds is an asset in wildlife haemosporidian studies because the effect of the pathogen can be monitored in real time. Additionally, this methodology provides opportunities to collect fresh material for microscopic and histological examination from wild birds that have died from natural causes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Haemoproteosis lethality in a woodpecker, with molecular and morphological characterization of Haemoproteus velans (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae)

Groff

Lorenz

Crespo

et al. 2019

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the livestock industry, the impact of T. gondii on reproductive performance causes economic losses (Huong et al 1998;Duncanson et al 2001;Masala et al 2003;Pereira-Bueno et al 2004;Morley et al 2008;Rossi et al 2011). Further, fatal cases of T. gondii infection have been reported in several wild species (Jokelainen et al 2011Jokelainen and Nylund 2012;Jokelainen and Vikøren 2014), raising conservation issues. These concerns should also be considered in relation to the three major multilocus genotypes of T. gondii (types I, II, and III), which differ in their virulence, as reported in murine models (FAO/WHO 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spread and genotype of Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected alpine chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra)

et al. 2016

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“…As the interstitial infiltrate spreads, the exudation of fibrin along with neutrophils and macrophages into alveolar spaces can occur. This can finally evolve into a pattern of diffuse alveolar damage with pneumocyte proliferation and focal necrosis [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Section: Case Presentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tomographic findings of acute pulmonary toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients

et al. 2014

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BackgroundToxoplasmosis is one of the most common human zoonosis, and is generally benign in most of the individuals. Pulmonary involvement is common in immunocompromised subjects, but very rare in immunocompetents and there are scarce reports of tomographic findings in the literature. The aim of the study is to describe three immunocompetent patients diagnosed with acute pulmonary toxoplasmosis and their respective thoracic tomographic findings. Acute toxoplasmosis was diagnosed according to the results of serological tests suggestive of recent primary infection and the absence of an alternative etiology.Case presentationFrom 2009 to 2013, three patients were diagnosed with acute respiratory failure secondary to acute toxoplasmosis. The patients were two female and one male, and were 38, 56 and 36 years old. Similarly they presented a two-week febrile illness and progressive dyspnea before admission. Laboratory tests demonstrated lymphocytosis, slight changes in liver enzymes and high inflammatory markers. Tomographic findings were bilateral smooth septal and peribronchovascular thickening (100%), ground-glass opacities (100%), atelectasis (33%), random nodules (33%), lymph node enlargement (33%) and pleural effusion (66%). All the patients improved their symptoms after treatment, and complete resolution of tomographic findings were found in the followup.ConclusionThese cases provide a unique description of the presentation and evolution of pulmonary tomographic manifestations of toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients. Toxoplasma pneumonia manifests with fever, dyspnea and a non-productive cough that may result in respiratory failure. In animal models, changes were described as interstitial pneumonitis with focal infiltrates of neutrophils that can finally evolve into a pattern of diffuse alveolar damage with focal necrosis. The tomographic findings are characterized as ground glass opacities, smooth septal and marked peribronchovascular thickening; and may mimic pulmonary congestion, lymphangitis, atypical pneumonia and pneumocystosis. This is the largest series of CT findings of acute toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent hosts, and the diagnosis should be considered as patients that present with acute respiratory failure in the context of a subacute febrile illness with bilateral and diffuse interstitial infiltrates with marked peribronchovascular thickening. If promptly treated, pulmonary toxoplasmosis can result in complete clinical and radiological recovery in immunocompetent hosts.

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Acute Fatal Toxoplasmosis in a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)

Cited by 11 publications

References 16 publications

Haemoproteosis lethality in a woodpecker, with molecular and morphological characterization of Haemoproteus velans (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae)

Haemoproteosis lethality in a woodpecker, with molecular and morphological characterization of Haemoproteus velans (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae)

Spread and genotype of Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected alpine chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra)

Tomographic findings of acute pulmonary toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients

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