ABSTRACT
Abstract Portugal has some rehabilitation centers for wild animals, which are responsible for the rehabilitation and reintroduction of birds, among other animals, into the wild. Coccidian parasites of these wild birds in rehabilitation centers are especially important because these centers can introduce coccidian species into new environments through the reintroduction of their respective hosts. In this context, the current study aimed to identify intestinal coccidia from wild birds at two rehabilitation centers for wild animals located in two municipalities of Portugal. Eighty-nine wild birds of 9 orders and 11 families were sampled, of which 22 (25%) were positive for Coccidia. Avispora spp. were found in raptors. Sporocysts of Sarcocystinae subfamily were recovered from owls. An Isospora sp. was found in Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758, and an Eimeria sp. was found in Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758. Among the coccidian species, Avispora bubonis (Cawthorn, Stockdale, 1981) can be highlighted. The finding of this species indicates that transmission of coccidians from the New World to the Old World may be occurring, potentially through dispersion by Bubo scandiacus (Linnaeus, 1758) through Arctic regions or by means of anthropic activities, and/or through other unknown mechanisms.
Resumo Portugal possui alguns centros de reabilitação de animais silvestres, responsáveis pela reabilitação e reintrodução de aves, entre outros animais, na natureza. Os coccídios parasitas dessas aves silvestres em centros de reabilitação são especialmente importantes porque esses centros podem introduzir espécies de coccídios em novos ambientes através da reintrodução de seus respectivos hospedeiros. Neste contexto, o presente estudo visou identificar coccídios intestinais de aves silvestres em dois centros de reabilitação de animais silvestres localizados em dois municípios de Portugal. Oitenta e nove aves silvestres de 9 ordens e 11 famílias foram amostradas, das quais 22 (25%) foram positivas para coccídios. Avispora spp. foram encontradas em aves de rapina. Esporocistos de coccídios da subfamilia Sarcocystinae foram encontrados em corujas. Uma Isospora sp. foi encontrada em Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758 e uma Eimeria sp. foi encontrada em Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758. Entre as espécies de coccídios, Avispora bubonis (Cawthorn, Stockdale, 1981) pode ser destacada. O encontro dessa espécie indica que a transmissão de coccídios do Novo Mundo para o Velho Mundo pode estar ocorrendo, potencialmente através da dispersão por Bubo scandiacus (Linnaeus, 1758) pelas regiões árticas ou por meio de atividades antrópicas, e/ou através de outros mecanismos desconhecidos.
Subject(s)
Animals , Bird Diseases/parasitology , Birds/parasitology , Coccidia/isolation & purification , Coccidiosis/veterinary , Portugal , Rehabilitation Centers , Birds/classification , Coccidia/classification , Coccidiosis/diagnosis , Feces/parasitology , Animals, WildABSTRACT
Coccidian oocysts containing 16 sporocysts with 4 sporozoites in each were observed in a faecal sample from Sclerurus scansor collected in the Itatiaia National Park, southeastern region of Brazil. The oocysts are characterized by ellipsoidal shape measuring 42.5 x 32.8 µm, with smooth, thick doublelayered wall of a greenish-orange colour. An oocyst residuum of numerousscattered granules among the sporocysts in sporulated ones; 16 round sporocysts, averaging 10.5 x 10 µm each containing four elongated sporozoites; presence of residuum; absence of Stieda body. The presently described coccidian, recorded for the first time in birds, is a new species named P. scleruri.
Subject(s)
Animals , Birds/parasitology , Coccidia/classification , Parks, RecreationalABSTRACT
In the last years Cyclospora sp. has been increasingly associated to human intestinal diseases. The first studies have been reported to this parasite as a Cyanobacterium-like body, large Cryptosporidium or coccidian-like body. The ultrastructural characteristic and the "in vitro" sporulation have revealed the existence of oocyst constituted for two sporocysts with two sporozoites per sporocyst. This evidence has allowed its classification as a coccidian within the genus Cyclospora and its designation as a new pathogen species in humans, Cyclospora cayetanensis. Recently phylogenetic analysis based on rDNA sequences suggested that Cyclospora sp. was closely related to the Eimeria genus. The identification, morphological characteristics, clinical evaluation and chemotherapy of the human intestinal disease asssociated to Cyclospora sp. are commented in the present paper