Inflammatory Reaction to Fabric Collars From Percutaneous Antennas Attached to Intracoelomic Radio Transmitters Implanted in Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus)

Abstract

In wild birds implanted intracoelomically with radio transmitters, a synthetic fabric collar placed around the base of a percutaneous antenna is believed to function as a barrier to contamination of the coelom. We examined 13 fabric collars recovered from percutaneous antennas of radio transmitters implanted intracoelomically in harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) 12 months earlier. Both the transmitters and antenna collars were encapsulated in fibrous connective tissue, with adhesions to internal organs. Histologically, bacteria were evident at the fabric-plastic interface in 8 of 10 collars examined in cross section and along the length of the collar in 3 collars examined longitudinally. Bacteria were confined within the fibrotic sheath surrounding the transmitter and the antenna collar in all birds. No evidence of chronic systemic effects secondary to implantation was present on hematologic or serum biochemical testing. These findings indicate that antenna collars do not prevent the entry of bacteria along the percutaneous antenna but may help stabilize the antenna and minimize coelomic contamination. We conclude that radio transmitters implanted into the coelom of harlequin ducks do not appear to cause significant health problems for at least 1 year after implantation.

Is abdominal implantation of devices a good alternative to external attachment? A comparative study in Adélie penguins

“…In our study, although the skin incision was totally clean and completely healed before device recovery, a fibrous capsule was found around the loggers indicating the occurrence of an inflammatory response (Anderson et al 2008). However, the presence of this capsule has not been associated with physiological or behavioural deleterious effects in previous studies (Small et al 2004;Mulcahy et al 2007). A more probable reason of the extended recovery surface intervals is that the device (volume: *20 cm 3 ) may have pressurised adjacent organs such as air sacs (Small et al 2004), thus reducing the birds' efficiency to ventilate at the surface.…”

Extrusion of Intracoelomic Radiotransmitters by Hawaiian Ducks

“…Necropsies performed on Hawaiian ducks found dead 10 and 45 days after implantation revealed scar tissue had already surrounded the transmitter body (T. M. Work, USGS National Wildlife Health Center, personal observation). The fibrous capsule likely acts as a barrier and prevents contamination of the coelom during extrusion (Mulcahy et al 2007). Once extruded through the body wall, the fistula likely heals closed quickly as evidenced by one bird recaptured and fully healed 34 days after extruding its transmitter through the antenna exit site.…”

“…One concern is contamination and fatal infection of the coelomic cavity and air sacs during the extrusion process. However, studies on mallards and harlequin ducks indicate fibrous connective tissue quickly encapsulates the transmitter following implantation (Korschgen et al 1996, Mulcahy et al 2007). Necropsies performed on Hawaiian ducks found dead 10 and 45 days after implantation revealed scar tissue had already surrounded the transmitter body (T. M. Work, USGS National Wildlife Health Center, personal observation).…”