Parámetros hematológicos y de estrés oxidativo en pingüinos de Magallanes rehabilitados por contaminación con petróleo / Blood and oxidative stress parameters of oil-spill rehabilitated magallanic penguins

Los pingüinos de Magallanes son entre las aves marinas, la especie más afectada por la contaminación con petróleo en Chubut y Santa Cruz. Una de las consecuencias adversas de la exposición a hidrocarburos y otros contaminantes es el aumento de los niveles celulares de especies reactivas del oxígeno o estrés oxidativo, considerados herramientas útiles como biomarcadores del impacto de la exposición a contaminantes químicos peligrosos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar parámetros hematológicos y marcadores de estrés oxidativo durante la rehabilitación de tres pingüinos empetrolados provenientes del Área Natural Protegida Punta Tombo, Chubut, Argentina. Se tomaron tres muestras de sangre por individuo: la primera muestra al arribo de los pingüinos al centro de rehabilitación, la segunda una semana después y una última muestra antes de ser liberados. Se obtuvieron la cantidad total de leucocitos, la razón heterófilos/linfocitos, el hematocrito y las concentraciones de glucosa y de proteínas totales. Se analizó la actividad de la enzima catalasa, responsable de la degradación del peróxido de hidrógeno, los niveles de tioles totales no proteicos y el daño a lípidos evaluando las especies reactivas al ácido tiobarbitúrico, como indicadores de estrés oxidativo. El estudio se complementó con la obtención del peso de los pingüinos. En general, los parámetros medidos, aumentaron o se mantuvieron constantes desde la primera toma de muestra hasta la última. Si bien algunas de las variables para cada pingüino se comportaron diferentes durante el tratamiento, en general se observó una tendencia a normalizarse hacia el momento de su liberación. Se concluye que los pingüinos se liberaron en buen estado físico luego de la rehabilitación.

Magellanic penguins are among the most affected seabirds by oil contamination in Patagonia. Hydrocarbons and other pollutants cause an increase in the cellular levels of reactive oxygen species that lead oxidative stress and in this way, the evaluation of oxidative stress parameters could be useful tools as biomarkers to evaluate the exposure to hazardous chemical contaminants. The aim of the present work was to evaluate hematological parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers during the rehabilitation of three oil-spill penguins from Punta Tombo Natural Protected Area in Chubut, Argentina. Three blood samples were taken from each individual, the first sample was obtained at arrival of penguin to the rehabilitation center, the second one was the following one week and last sample was taken before animals were freed. Hematocrit, white blood cell count, heterophil/ lymphocyte ratio as a measure of stress, and concentrations of glucose and total proteins were determined. The thiobarbituric acid reactive species, a well-established method for monitoring lipid peroxidation, the activity of catalase enzyme (involved in the catabolism of hydrogen peroxide) and the thiol levels were evaluated as oxidative stress indicators. In general, the measured parameters remained constant or increased their values from the first to the last blood sampling. While some of the variables for each penguin behaved differently during treatment, generally they tended to normalize when penguins were released. We conclude that penguins were released in good physical condition after rehabilitation.

Valores hematológicos e bioquímicos de pinguins-de-Magalhães em reabilitação no Espírito Santo, sudeste do Brasil / Hematological and biochemical values of Magellanic penguins in rehabilitation in Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil

Este trabalho apresenta valores hematológicos e bioquímicos de pinguins-de-Magalhães (Spheniscus magellanicus) juvenis que arribaram no Espírito Santo e Rio de Janeiro, litoral sudeste do Brasil, e foram encaminhados a reabilitação. Os valores médios obtidos foram: eritrócitos 2.55±0.54 milhões/µL; hemoglobina 13,37±3,91g/dL; hematócrito 41,5±0,04%; proteína plasmática 6,34±0,81g/dL; leucócitos 16.301±6.402/µL; trombócitos 20.516±4.591 células/µL; volume corpuscular médio (VCM) 172,0±53,0 fL; concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média (CHCM) 26,41±0,02%; alanina transaminase (ALT) 50,0±17,89 U/L; ácido úrico 8,93±3,0mg/dL; albumina 1,68±0,53g/dL; cálcio 9,7±0,57mg/dL; fósforo 10,39±8,5mg/dL e glicose 211,6±30,3mg/dL. Valores de eritrócitos, VCM e CHCM foram discrepantes em relação aos valores de referência atuais. Valores de leucócitos e trombócitos tem significado inconclusivo. Hematócrito, hemoglobina, proteína plasmática e valores bioquímicos forneceram importante contribuição para o estabelecimento de parâmetros de referência.(AU)

This paper reports hematological and biochemical values of juveniles Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) stranded in Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil, that were sent for rehabilitation. The average values were: erythrocytes 2.55±0,54 milhões/µL, hemoglobin 13.37±3,91g/dL, hematocrit 41.5±0.04%, plasma protein 6.34±0.81g/dL, leukocytes 16,301±6,402/µL, thrombocytes 20,516±4,591 células/µL3, mean cell volume (MCV) 172.0±53.0 fL, mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) 26.41±0.02%, alanine transaminase (ALT) 50.0±17.89 U/L, uric acid 8.93±3.0mg/dL, albumin 1.68±0.53mg/dL, calcium 9.7±0.57mg/dL, phosphorus 10.39±8.5mg/dL and glucose 211.6±30.3mg/dL. Values of erythrocytes, MCV and MCH were discrepant in relation to the current reference values. Leukocytes and thrombocytes values has meant inconclusive. Hematocrit, hemoglobin, plasma protein and biochemical values provided important contribution for the establishment of reference parameters.(AU)

Study of bacteria isolated from the foot pad of Spheniscus magellanicus with and without bumblefoot / Estudo de bactérias isoladas de coxins plantares de Spheniscus magellanicus com e sem bumblefoot

The bumblefoot or pododermatitis is among the diseases with the highest morbidity in Magellanic penguins, sometimes evolving to septicemia and death. Therefore, this study aimed to relate the main species involved in the disorder, as well as the in vitro susceptibility profile of the microorganisms against routine antimicrobial usage in Veterinary Medicine. During two years in vivo material was harvested from 200 footpads (n=100 animals) for microbiological analysis and in vitro susceptibility tests against the Antibiotic enrofloxacin, streptomycin, penicillin and cephalosporin. Bacteria have been identified both as part of permanent and transient microbiota, also being associated to 100% of the pododermatitis cases. The most prevalent genus were Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium. The antibiograms of all the isolated bacteria resulted in greater susceptibility of the strains facing cephalosporin, followed by enrofloxacin, streptomycin and penicillin.

O bumblefoot ou pododermatite está entre as afecções de maior morbidade em pinguins-de-magalhães, podendo evoluir para septicemia e óbito. Portanto, o presente estudo objetivou relacionar as principais espécies bacterianas envolvidas na afecção, bem como o perfil de susceptibilidade in vitro destes microrganismos frente a antimicrobianos de uso rotineiro em medicina veterinária. Durante o período de dois anos, foi realizada colheita de material in vivo de 200 coxins plantares (n=100 animais) para análise microbiológica e testes de susceptibilidade in vitro frente aos antibióticos enrofloxacina, estreptomicina, penicilina e cefalosporina. Bactérias foram identificadas tanto como parte da microbiota permanente quanto da transitória, bem como estiveram associadas a 100% dos casos de pododermatite. Os gêneros mais prevalentes foram Staphylococcus e Corynebacterium. Os antibiogramas de todas as bactérias isoladas resultaram em maior sensibilidade das cepas frente à cefalosporina, seguida de enrofloxacina, estreptomicina e penicilina.

Investigation on Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) and Avian Poxvirus (APV) in magellanic penguins in Southern region of Brazil

To investigate the exposure of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) and avian poxvirus (APV) in Magellanic penguins found on the beaches in Southern regions of Brazil, the frequency of serum antibodies was estimated in 89 samples taken during 2005 and 2006. All the penguins were negative for the presence of antibodies against NDV by hemagglutination inhibition test and to APV by indirect ELISA. The reactivity was similar to the positives controls using ELISA kit for the IBDV made in the chickens in 50 samples. This reactivity also was demonstrated in 42 samples using agar gel immunodiffusion. No clinical signs related to IBDV infection were observed. The results indicated the absence of infection by NDV and APV but suggested IBDV exposure in the population of penguins studied.