Avian Cholera in Waterfowl: The Role of Lesser Snow and Ross's Geese as Disease Carriers in the Playa Lakes Region

Abstract

We collected samples from apparently healthy geese in the Playa Lakes Region (USA) during the winters of 2000-01 and 2001-02 to determine whether carriers of Pasteurella multocida, the bacterium that causes avian cholera, were present in wild populations. With the use of methods developed in laboratory challenge trials (Samuel et al., 2003a) and a serotypespecific polymerase chain reaction method for identification of P. multocida serotype 1, we found that a small proportion of 322 wild birds (Ͻ5%) were carriers of pathogenic P. multocida. On the basis of serology, an additional group of these birds (Ͻ10%) were survivors of recent avian cholera infection. Our results confirm the hypothesis that wild waterfowl are carriers of avian cholera and add support for the hypothesis that wild birds are a reservoir for this disease. In concert with other research, this work indicates that enzootic infection with avian cholera occurs in lesser snow goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) populations throughout their annual cycle. Although fewer Ross's geese (Chen rossii) were sampled, we also found these birds were carriers of P. multocida. Even in the absence of disease outbreaks, serologic evidence indicates that chronic disease transmission and recent infection are apparently occurring year-round in these highly gregarious birds and that a small portion of these populations are potential carriers with active infection.

Pasteurella multocida: from Zoonosis to Cellular Microbiology

“…P. multocida is a common commensal or opportunistic pathogen found in the upper respiratory tracts of most livestock, domestic, and wild animals (34), including chickens (126)(127)(128)(129)(130)(131), turkeys (132,133), and other wild birds (123,(134)(135)(136)(137)(138)(139)(140)(141)(142)(143)(144), cattle and bison (121,(145)(146)(147), swine (34, 148-151), rabbits (152)(153)(154), dogs (41, [155][156][157], cats (domestic house cats as well as large wild cats, such as tigers, leopards, cougars, and lions) (39, 42-46, 49, 157-166), goats (125,139,167,168), chimpanzees (169), marine mammals (seals, sea lions, and walruses) (170), and even komodo dragons (171,172). The manifestation and pathological symptoms associated with Pasteurella infection, or "pasteurellosis," range from asymptomatic or mild chronic upper respiratory inflammation to acute, often fatal, pneumonic and/or disseminated disease.…”

Avian Cholera emergence in Arctic-nesting northern Common Eiders: using community-based, participatory surveillance to delineate disease outbreak patterns and predict transmission risk

“…P. multocida is known to remain infective in wetlands for a period of days to months (Friend 1999, Samuel et al 2007); however, it does not appear to overwinter in the environment (Samuel et al 2004, Blanchong et al 2006. Instead, carrier birds are thought to play an essential role in the cross-seasonal perpetuation and geographic dispersal of the disease (Samuel et al 2005).…”

“…Serological investigations have proven effective for detecting recent infections, and vaccination studies suggest that at least short-term immunity is likely for surviving individuals (Samuel et al 2005). P. multocida is known to remain infective in wetlands for a period of days to months (Friend 1999, Samuel et al 2007); however, it does not appear to overwinter in the environment (Samuel et al 2004, Blanchong et al 2006.…”

Multi-Species Patterns of Avian Cholera Mortality in Nebraska's Rainwater Basin

“…Although there is considerable uncertainty about the ecology of avian cholera, recent evidence indicates that lesser snow geese, Ross's geese (Anser rossii), and possibly other waterbirds, are likely carriers of P. multocida and serve as reservoirs for this disease (Samuel et al, 1999a(Samuel et al, , 2005. In addition, factors such as severe weather, crowding, stress, and other conditions can increase the risk or severity of disease outbreaks (Smith et al, 1990;Botzler, 1991;Windingstad et al, 1998;Samuel et al, 1999b).…”