Parasites, Bacteria, and Associated Pathological Changes in the Digestive System of Diurnal and Nocturnal Raptors in Central Italy

Abstract

The knowledge of raptor pathogens and associated lesions may be extremely important to enhancing raptor conservation efforts and reducing pathogen spillover to humans and domesticated animals and vice versa. Parasite infections of the digestive system and associated bacteria and pathological changes were evaluated in deceased diurnal and nocturnal raptors in central Italy. Overall, the prevalence of parasites (nematodes, cestodes, trematodes, acanthocephalans, and protozoa) identified in the examined birds was 72.41%, and most of the positive raptors (71.42%) showed multiple parasite infections. Among bacteria, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enterica subspecies diarizonae, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Pasteurella multocida were identified. The results obtained showed that both parasites and bacteria may cause severe lesions in the digestive system of diurnal and nocturnal raptors; parasites and bacteria may concur in causing these lesions; most severe lesions are caused by the interaction of multiple pathogens, both parasites and bacteria; and the same pathogen taxa are frequently associated with the same pathological changes. This study is the first report of S. typhimurium and S. enterica subspecies diarizonae in Buteo buteo, while Andracantha mergi, Spirocerca spp., Sarcocystis dispersa, Sarcocystis columbae, and Eumonospora spp. were recorded for the first time in Italy.

Prevalence of Different Salmonella enterica Subspecies and Serotypes in Wild Carnivores in Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy

“…Lesser Salmonella subspecies are frequently isolated from reptiles and birds, which may become the source of infection for wildlife, domestic mammals and humans. In particular, infection in wild carnivores is probably related to predation and scavenging of reptiles and birds [ 11 , 38 ]. Concerning S. enterica subsp.…”

“…On the other hand, interactions between wildlife and human-related activities may result in infections for wild animals, threatening the numbers of various wild populations. Many studies in literature have described Salmonella infections in predators such as alligators and caimans [ 8 , 9 ] raptors [ 10 , 11 ] and mammalian predators such as foxes and badgers [ 12 , 13 ]. In Italy, and in particular in the Apennines area, interactions between wildlife and human activities are more frequent due to a high population density.…”

Morphologic and Genetic Analysis of Synhimantus (Synhimantus) laticeps from a Long-Eared Owl (Asio otus)

“…The parasite locates in the gastrointestinal tract, namely in the gizzard [ 1 , 2 ], stomach [ 3 ], and small intestine [ 1 ]. Clinically, a heavy infection with S. laticeps may cause ulcers in the proventriculus [ 4 , 5 ]. The species S. latipes has been identified in several birds around the world [ 3 ], including the black-winged kite ( Elanus caeruleus ), the Eurasian sparrow hawk ( Accipiter nisus ), the barn owl ( Tyto alba ), the long-eared owl ( Asio otus ), the tawny owl ( Strix aluco ), the common kestrel ( Falco tinnunculus ), the common buzzard ( Buteo buteo ), and the Eurasian eagle owl ( Bubo bubo ) [ 1 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…Clinically, a heavy infection with S. laticeps may cause ulcers in the proventriculus [4,5]. The species S. latipes has been identified in several birds around the world [3], including the black-winged kite (Elanus caeruleus), the Eurasian sparrow hawk (Accipiter nisus), the barn owl (Tyto alba), the longeared owl (Asio otus), the tawny owl (Strix aluco), the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), the common buzzard (Buteo buteo), and the Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) [1,[5][6][7][8][9]. Despite its widespread distribution, information about this nematode is still scarce.…”