Viral Diagnosis in Psittacine Birds: A Scientometric and Systematic Review of 47 Years.

The first reports of viruses in psittacine birds date back to the early 1970s. Here, we elucidate the differences among these previous studies and the advances achieved. The objective of this study was to carry out a comprehensive review using both scientometric and systematic methods to analyze the evolution of published studies on viruses in psittacine birds up to 2022. The search descriptors "virus", "diagnosis", and "Psittaciformes" were used to find the articles of interest for this study. A total of 118 articles were manually selected, and the scientometric data were organized using the software VOSviewer® version 1.6.18. The present review revealed that: (i) on average, 2.5 articles/year on the diagnosis of viral infection in psittacine birds were published since 1975; (ii) the most productive research groups are concentrated in three countries: Australia, the United States, and Germany; (iii) the most important virus in psittacine birds is the Circovirus, which causes psittacine beak and feather disease; (iv) the diagnostic method of choice is polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and (v) the most studied psittacine birds were those in the Psittacidae family that were kept in captivity.

Immune response of BALB/c mice infected with two strains of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis.

This work evaluated aspects of the immune response of BALB/c mice infected with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (T1 and C57). The fifteen BALB/c mice were euthanized after 70 days of infection and morphologically evaluated, also analyzing the innate and adaptive immune responses. The C57 strain induced more pronounced morphological changes than the T1 strain. There was an increase in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells identified during infection with the C57 strain. Cytokines of the inflammatory profile IL-1α and IL-6 and regulatory IL-13 and IL-10 presented significant differences. Cytokines IL-2, IL-4, INF-γ, IL-22, IL-21, and IL-27 did not differ significantly between groups. The obtained results contribute to a better understanding of the type of response and the immunological mechanisms involved during infection with different strains of C. pseudotuberculosis.

Helminths of Wied's marmoset (Callithrix kuhlii (Coimbra-Filho, 1985) (Primates: Callitrichidae)) from the Atlantic Forest, Southern Bahia State, Brazil.

Callithrix kuhlii is present in forest mosaics, edge habitats, and abandoned fields in the Atlantic Forest. In Bahia and Minas Gerais. This study aimed to identify helminths from C. kuhlii and relate them to the clinical data, weights, and indices of the liver and gonads. Necropsies were performed on 13 adult marmosets that were run over on the BA-001 highway. A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to describe the relationships between the variables investigated. Fifty-one helminths were collected from 30.77% (4/13) of the marmosets analyzed. Helminths were classified based on their morphological and morphometric characteristics. Primasubulura jacchi (Marcel, 1857), Platynosomum illiciens (Dougherty, 1946), and Prosthenorchis confusus (Dougherty, 1946) were the species identified, with prevalence rates of 7.69%, 7.69%, and 15.38%, respectively. In addition, this is a new host record of P. confusus. The two main axes of the PCA explained a high variability (PCA=67.7%), indicating reduced weight and indices of the organs of parasitized animals. This study expands the knowledge on parasites of C. kuhlii and its vulnerability to parasites, contributing to constructing an epidemiological profile of environmental health.

Determining the Prevalence of Avian Chlamydiosis in Wild Amazona Species From Brazil Using Molecular Testing and Clinical Signs.

Avian chlamydiosis is a disease that occurs in birds, especially parrots, and is caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Chlamydia psittaci. Wild Animal Screening Centers in Brazil receive, maintain, treat, and place (preferably to nature) wild animals recovered from illegal trafficking. We performed molecular testing for avian chlamydiosis in parrots from the genus Amazona that were presented to these centers. Cloacal swab samples were collected from 59 parrots (Amazona species) and transported in aqueous or culture medium. The samples were subsequently submitted for DNA extraction by the boiling method, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using CPF/CPR primers, and agarose gel electrophoresis. Conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, and poor body condition were the clinical signs associated with a differential disease diagnosis of avian chlamydiosis. Transport medium did not have an effect on the test results. The prevalence of C psittaci in the samples was 37% (22/59, 95% confidence interval: 25-49). There was a significant (P = 0.009) association between the PCR test results and clinical signs. Follow-up testing was conducted on a subgroup of 14 individuals that initially tested negative on PCR; 50% (7/14) of these birds were found to be positive within 24 days of the first test. The results of this study confirm the feasibility of using the CPF/CFP primer-based PCR to detect C psittaci in Amazona species, describe a less costly method of transporting biological material for DNA extraction, and evaluate the temporal aspect for obtaining positive results through molecular testing for C psittaci in Amazona species.

Tradition and trade: culture and exploitation of avian fauna by a rural community surrounding protected areas in the south of Bahia's State, Northeastern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Illegal capture and trade of wild birds are some of the most present types of wildlife trade in Brazil, and are often associated with cultural and socioenvironmental aspects. Those habits are particularly present in rural communities, where bird trade can be a source of income in dire economic situations and bird-keeping is a cultural trait passed down from generations. METHODS: We conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with bird-keepers and traders within the surrounding region of the Parque Nacional de Boa Nova, inquiring about local customs and practices related to bird-keeping, bird trade and bird capture, as well as how these were affected by the establishment of protected areas nearby. We then outlined the main trends and perceptions in a quantitative and a qualitative approach. RESULTS: A total of 21 avian species were mentioned as being used as pets and in commercialization, contests and breeding, most of them occurring naturally in the region. Most respondents were men possessing low levels of education and income. We observed a series of specialized practices regarding bird-keeping, from basic maintenance of captive individuals in order to ensure the animal's health, to interspecies breeding as to produce hybrid individuals. Mentioned methods used to capture wild birds often involved specialized traps and were conducted mainly within the national park's area. Bird trade was said to occur mostly in urban settlements, and the value of captive birds was said to vary, based on species and beforehand training. The official establishment of the protected area impaired all practices related to bird-keeping and trade, mostly as a result of increased surveillance by environmental agencies. CONCLUSION: The collected information presents a series of specialized habits and practices involved in bird-keeping, bird capture and bird trade, many of them being associated with the local avifauna surrounding the region. The establishment of protected areas affected local perceptions regarding bird-keeping and related practices mostly through fear of penalty, although individuals demonstrated some knowledge about how to evade surveillance. We recommend further studies about effective ways to integrate local communities in nearby protected areas' conservation.

Evaluation of an alternative technique for preserving crustaceans in dry conditions with joint mobility: a proposal for didactic purposes

Although crustaceans are traditionally preserved in liquids (formaldehyde and/or ethyl alcohol), those substances tend to alter their morphological aspects. Glycerin, used in human anatomy, is considered a good substitute for formaldehyde, as it preserves animals in states similar to in vivo conditions. There are no records in the literature, however, concerning the use of glycerin for conserving invertebrates. The objective of this work was to elaborate and evaluate alternative techniques for conserving the crustacean Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763). Six fixatives (1, 3, 4 and 5% formaldehyde, 70% alcohol, and dietrich solution) and two controls (positive and negative) were tested, as well as the effects of freezing before fixation on the integrity of U. cordatus specimens. Our results were evaluated with respect to nine variables. The treatments that demonstrated the best aesthetic results were 4% formaldehyde and 70% ethyl alcohol. The freezing of the animals resulted in brittle organs in all treatments tested. The technique discussed here is extremely promising for the conservation of animals for educational purposes, as it produces preserved specimens that are aesthetically similar to their in vivo conditions.