Application of In-situ Hybridization for the Detection and Identification of Avian Malaria Parasites in Paraffin Wax-embedded Tissues from Captive Penguins

Dinhopl, Nora; Mostegl, Meike M.; Richter, Barbara; Weissenböck, Herbert

doi:10.1016/j.jcpa.2010.09.120

Cited by 11 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Naïve individuals, such as chicks, juvenile birds and adults that have not had previous exposure to mosquitoes (such as recently wild-caught birds or those raised in an arthropod-free environment), show the highest levels of susceptibility (Beier & Stoskopf, 1980;Dinhopl et al, 2011;Wallace, 2014). The most severe presentation of disease occurs after primary exposure.…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(Bennett et al, 1993a;Dufva, 1996;Quillfeldt et al, 2011). These birds share habitats with captive penguins and act as reservoirs for the parasite (Beier & Trpis, 1981;Bueno et al, 2010;Dinhopl et al, 2011Dinhopl et al, , 2015. As a result, the Plasmodium spp.…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Histopathological examination often reveals tissue meronts in endothelial cells and tissue macrophages, especially in the spleen, lungs, liver and heart (Rodhain, 1939;Fleischman et al, 1968;Fix et al, 1988;Cranfield, 2003;Dinhopl et al, 2011;Vanstreels et al, 2015). It is important to note that, unlike mammal-infecting Plasmodium spp.…”

Section: Lesionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, erythrocytic infection by parasites may produce direct haemolysis or induce erythrocyte sequestration and extravascular haemolysis (Atkinson & Van Riper, 1991;Valkiūnas, 2005;Williams, 2005;Marzal, 2012). Some authors suggest that because penguins have low-level parasitaemia, the destruction of erythrocytes is not sufficient to cause clinical anaemia (Cranfield et al, 1994;Dinhopl et al, 2011).…”

Section: Lesionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Malaria in penguins – current perceptions

Grilo

Vanstreels

Wallace³

et al. 2016

Avian Pathology

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Avian malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by protozoans of the genus Plasmodium, and it is considered one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in captive penguins, both in zoological gardens and rehabilitation centres. Penguins are known to be highly susceptible to this disease, and outbreaks have been associated with mortality as high as 50-80% of affected captive populations within a few weeks. The disease has also been reported in wild penguin populations, however, its impacts on the health and fitness of penguins in the wild is not clear. This review provides an overview of the aetiology, life cycle and epidemiology of avian malaria, and provides details on the strategies that can be employed for the diagnostic, treatment and prevention of this disease in captive penguins, discussing possible directions for future research.

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Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Lesionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Lesionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Malaria in penguins – current perceptions

Grilo

Vanstreels

Wallace³

et al. 2016

Avian Pathology

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“…The detection of parasites in blood smears is still the routine diagnostic method, but may present a low sensitivity rate and is a cumbersome procedure (Perkins & Schall 2002, Belo 2007 (Griner 1974, Fix et al 1988, Brossy et al 1999, Levin et al 2009, Bueno et al 2010, Dinhopl et al 2011. Graczyk et al (1994), in search of Plasmodium spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of hematologic and serum chemistry values of Spheniscus magellanicus with molecular detection of avian malarial parasites (Plasmodium spp.)

et al. 2014

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ABSTRACT.-Campos S.D.E., Pires J.R., Nascimento C.L., Dutra G., Torres-Filho R.A., Toma H.K., Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) routinely migrate from their breeding colonies to Southern Brazil often contracting diseases during this migration, notably avian malaria, which has been already reported in Brazil and throughout the world. Detection of Plasmodium spp. in blood smears is the routine diagnostic method of avian malaria, however it has a low sensitivity rate when compared to molecular methods. Considering the negative impact of avian malaria on penguins, the aim of this study was to detect the presence of Plasmodium spp. in Magellanic penguins using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and by verifying clinical, hematological, and biochemical alterations in blood samples as well as to verify the likely prognosis in response to infection. Blood samples were obtained from 75 penguins to determine packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), uric acid, total protein, albumin, globulin and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity levels. Whole blood samples were used for PCR assays. Plasmodium spp. was detected in 32.0% of the specimens using PCR and in 29.3% using microscopic analyses. Anorexia, diarrhea and neurological disorders were more frequent in penguins with malaria and a significant weight difference between infected and non-infected penguins was detected. PCV and MCV rates showed no significant difference. RBC and WBC counts were lower in animals with avian malaria and leukopenia was present in some penguins. Basophil and lymphocyte counts were lower in infected penguins along with high monocyte counts. There was no significant difference in AST activities between infected and non-infected animals. There was a significant increase in uric acid values, however a decrease in albumin values was observed in infected penguins. Based on this study, we concluded that Plasmodium spp. occurs in Magellanic penguins of rehabilitation centers in Southeastern Considerando o impacto negativo da malária aviária nos pinguins, o objetivo deste estudo foi detectar a presença de Plasmodium spp. em pinguins--de-Magalhães usando a Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR), verificar as alterações clínicas, hematológicas e bioquímicas e o provável prognóstico em resposta à infecção. Amostras de sangue foram obtidas de 75 pinguins para determinar o hematócrito (Ht), contagens totais de eritrócitos e leucócitos, volume globular médio (VGM), concentração de ácido úrico, proteínas totais, albumina, globulinas e atividade da aspartato aminotransferase (AST). O sangue total foi usado para ensaios de PCR. A detecção de Plasmodium spp. foi obtida em 32,0% dos indivíduos pela PCR e em 29,3% pela análise microscópica. Anorexia, diarreia e alterações neurológicas foram mais frequentes nos pinguins com malária, e uma diferença significativa no peso entre pinguins infetados e não infectados foi detectada. Ht e VGM não mostraram diferença significativa. A contagem ...

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Avian malaria affecting penguins in zoological gardens, aquariums and wildlife parks in the UK

et al. 2021

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Background: Avian malaria has caused mortalities in captive penguins worldwide and it is a conservation threat for some wild penguins. The experience of staff working on penguins is highly valuable for the improvement of captivity conditions. Methods: An online questionnaire was designed to collect avian malaria information in penguins in the UK. Volunteers with diverse experience reviewed it for scientific value and clarity, and it was supported by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Results: Forty-two institutions were contacted by email, obtaining 27 complete and five partial responses. Eighteen institutions reported avian malaria in 38 suspected and 37 confirmed outbreaks in the past 20 years, mainly occurring in the summer and recent years. Proportional risk was higher in the south east region of England. Humboldt and African penguins were more commonly affected, and prevalence was mostly low or medium, but lethality was high. Different treatment protocols were reported with inconsistent outcomes. Conclusions: Penguins' susceptibility, their translocation across institutions, and the wide distribution of avian malaria make this disease a constant threat. Preventive and control measures are recommended, including testing for early diagnosis and treatment, avoiding prolonged stressful events in penguins, and monitoring and controlling mosquito vectors.This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Application of In-situ Hybridization for the Detection and Identification of Avian Malaria Parasites in Paraffin Wax-embedded Tissues from Captive Penguins

Cited by 11 publications

References 13 publications

Malaria in penguins – current perceptions

Malaria in penguins – current perceptions

Analysis of hematologic and serum chemistry values of Spheniscus magellanicus with molecular detection of avian malarial parasites (Plasmodium spp.)

Avian malaria affecting penguins in zoological gardens, aquariums and wildlife parks in the UK

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