Occurrence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in scavenging black vultures (Coragyps atratus) in Brazil / Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii em urubus (Coragyps atratus) do Brasil

This is the first report of Toxoplasma gondii infection in black vultures (Coragyps atratus), which are obligate scavengers found throughout the Americas. Serum samples from 121 wild black vultures caught in urban areas of the city of São Paulo, Brazil, were tested for the presence of T. gondii antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT; cutoff point 1:5). T. gondii antibodies were found in 16 birds (13.2%), with titers of 1:5 (6 birds), 1:10 (8 birds), and 1:20 (2 birds).(AU)

Este é o primeiro relato de infecção por Toxoplasma gondii em urubus (Coragyps atratus) que são aves carniceiras obrigatórias, encontradas no continente americano. Amostras de soro de 121 urubus, capturados em área urbana da cidade de São Paulo, Brasil, foram testadas quanto à presença de anticorpos anti-T. gondii pelo teste de aglutinação modificada (MAT, ponto de corte de 1:5). Anticorpos foram encontrados em 16 (13,2%) aves com títulos de 1:5 (6 aves), 1:10 (8 aves) e 1:20 (2 aves).(AU)

Infecção por C. psittaci: uma revisão com ênfase em psitacídeos / C. psittaci infection: a review with emphasis in psittacines

A clamidiose ou ornitose é uma doença infecciosa, causada pela bactéria Chlamydophila psittaci, que acomete aves e mamíferos. Trata-se de uma das principais zoonoses de origem aviária. A transmissão ocorre principalmente por inalação de secreções contaminadas. Os sinais clínicos mais comuns incluem alterações no sistema gastrointestinal, respiratório e ocular, porém é possível encontrar aves infectadas sem sinais aparentes, dificultando a identificação da doença. O diagnóstico definitivo em aves vivas pode ser difícil, devido às características da infecção pela bactéria. Há duas principais abordagens para o diagnóstico, a primeira envolve a detecção direta da bactéria e a segunda implica a detecção de anticorpos anti-Chlamydophila sp. O tratamento é longo e envolve o uso de tetraciclinas, quinolonas ou macrolídeos, durante 21-45 dias, dependendo da espécie e do fármaco de escolha. Atualmente, o Brasil não dispõe de medidas padronizadas que visam a guiar o clínico na identificação, manejo e tratamento para a doença. Tais medidas tornam-se necessárias, bem como a pesquisa de novos métodos diagnósticos e auxiliares para a doença.

Chlamydiosis or ornitosis is an infectious disease which affects birds and mammals caused by the bacteria Chlamydophila psittaci. It is one of the most important avian zoonosis. The transmission occurs through inhalation of infected secretions. The most common clinical signs include problems in the gastrointestinal, respiratory and ocular tracts. However, it is possible to find infected birds with no clinical signs, which hinders the diagnosis. Definitive diagnosis in live birds can be difficult, because of the bacteria's infection characteristic. There are two main approaches to the diagnosis, the first one involves the direct detection of the bacteria, the second one involves the detection of antibodies anti-Chlamydophila sp. The treatment is long and includes the use of tetraciclines, quinolones and macrolides, during 21-45 days, depending of the specie or drug of choice. Currently, Brazil has no standardized procedures to guide clinicians in the identification, management, and treatment of the disease. Such measures become necessary, as well as research on new diagnostic methods.

An outbreak of chlamydiosis in captive blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) in Brazil.

Fifty-eight blue-fronted Amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva) nestlings, recovered from the illegal trade, became ill at a wildlife rehabilitation center in São Paulo State, Brazil. Clinical signs observed were nonspecific, and the mortality rate was 96.5% despite initial treatment with norfloxacin. Postmortem examinations were performed on 10 birds. Liver and spleen smears showed structures suggestive of Chlamydophila psittaci in four cases. Diagnosis was confirmed by seminested polymerase chain reaction on tissue samples. Other birds from the same location showed no clinical signs of the disease, although high complement fixation titers to C. psittaci were found in 10 adult psittacines. All birds in the facility were treated with doxycycline. The two surviving nestlings did not recover after two doxycycline treatments and were euthanatized. The high mortality rate observed in this outbreak was attributed to poor conditions of husbandry and delays in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. After diagnosis, improved control measures for chlamydiosis were instituted.

Evidence of Chlamydophila psittaci infection in captive Amazon parrots in Brazil.

The prevalence of Chlamydophila psittaci (formerly Chlamydia psittaci) infection was assessed in 95 apparently healthy, captive Amazon parrots from three breeder collections in southeastern and west-central Brazil. Cloacal swabs from 95 birds were tested for chlamydial antigen, which was detected by direct immunofluorescence (DIF), and serum samples from 44 of these birds were tested for antibodies to C. psittaci using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The prevalences of active infection as detected by DIF were 16.7%, 22.2%, and 56.1%, and seroprevalences were 100%, 87.5%, and 60% in flocks A, B, and C, respectively. We can therefore infer that C. psittaci may be widespread in captive parrot populations in Brazil.