Chlamydia psittaci Screening of Animal Workers from Argentina Exposed to Carrier Birds.

Different syndromes are involved in human psittacosis (flu-like syndrome, atypical pneumonia up to lacrimal gland lymphoma). Diagnostic methods include serology, culture, and PCR. The rate of Chlamydia psittaci (Cp) positive tests among exposed workers is still unknown. Our study aimed to assess the rate of positive tests among workers who have contact with carrier birds in natural reserves from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Secondary aims were to analyze risk factors linked to these outcomes and the occurrence of signs that suggest psittacosis. Nasopharyngeal swabs and serum pairs were collected from employees who had interacted with confirmed carrier birds. Those with detectable DNA of Cp and/or anti-Chlamydia spp. antibody baseline titer ≥ 160 mUI/ml, or at least quadruplicating, were considered positive. Activities performed with or near birds, personal protective equipment use, and previous chronic conditions were assessed. Possible Cp-related pathologies were evaluated during follow-up. A total of 63 exposed workers (71.4% men) with a median age of 35.7 years (IQR 26-39) were evaluated to detect 28.6% positives. Respiratory chronic conditions were the unique factor associated with positive tests (OR 5.2 [1.5-18.5] p < .05). Surprisingly, about a third of the workers resulted positive and all responded to medical treatment, none developing an acute atypical pneumonia syndrome associated with classical presentation of psittacosis. Active testing for early diagnosis and proper treatment in zoological workers exposed to carrier or potentially carrier birds is strongly suggested as part of zoonotic diseases preventive measures.

Veterinary pharmaceuticals as a threat to endangered taxa: Mitigation action for vulture conservation.

Overuse and misapplication of veterinary pharmaceuticals affect the ecosystem, even at low concentrations. Vultures are mainly exposed to these compounds when feeding on improperly disposed carcasses from animals treated before death. This produces diverse negative impacts on vulture health and populations, even leading to death. Using the available bibliography we determined which veterinary pharmaceuticals vultures are exposed to worldwide and assessed the potential consequences for these species. Based on the responsibilities of the different stakeholders, we also propose action to mitigate this problem. Of 104 articles addressing vulture exposure to veterinary pharmaceuticals, most came from Asia, Europe and Africa; almost no information was available on the Americas. Vultures were reported as being exposed to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, anti-parasitic and euthanizing agents. Most available information is related to the catastrophic effect of the NSAID diclofenac in South Asia. Vultures are particularly exposed to veterinary drugs when ingesting carcasses from intensive livestock production, but other potential pathways (e.g., discards from salmon farms or fisheries) have not yet been properly evaluated. It is essential to improve scientific information on this topic - increasing the range of drugs and geographical areas studied - in order to implement sustainable conservation action for these birds. A combination of strategies could prove effective in reducing the impact of pharmaceuticals on the environment and non-target species. To mitigate this conservation problem, a set of multilateral actions should therefore be implemented, involving diverse stakeholders such as government representatives, pharmaceutical companies, veterinary practitioners, scientists and conservation agents, and local communities.

Repeated conservation threats across the Americas: High levels of blood and bone lead in the Andean Condor widen the problem to a continental scale.

Wildlife lead exposure is an increasing conservation threat that is being widely investigated. However, for some areas of the world (e.g., South America) and certain species, research on this subject is still scarce or only local information is available. We analyzed the extent and intensity of lead exposure for a widely distributed threatened species, the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus). We conducted the study at two different scales: 1) sampling of birds received for rehabilitation or necropsy in Argentina, and 2) bibliographic review and extensive survey considering exposure event for the species' distribution in South America. Wild condors from Argentina (n = 76) presented high lead levels consistent with both recent and previous exposure (up to 104 µg/dL blood level, mean 15.47 ± 21.21 µg/dL and up to 148.20 ppm bone level, mean 23.08 ± 31.39 ppm). In contrast, captive bred individuals -not exposed to lead contamination- had much lower lead levels (mean blood level 5.63 ± 3.08 µg/dL, and mean bone level 2.76 ± 3.06 ppm). Condors were exposed to lead throughout their entire range in continental Argentina, which represents almost sixty percent (>4000 km) of their geographical distribution. We also present evidence of lead exposure events in Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. Lead poisoning is a widespread major conservation threat for the Andean Condor, and probably other sympatric carnivores from South America. The high number and wide range of Andean Condors with lead values complement the results for the California Condor and other scavengers in North America suggesting lead poisoning is a continental threat. Urgent actions are needed to reduce this poison in the wild.

Electrocardiography in conscious releasable Andean condors (Vultur gryphus): reference panel and unusual findings.

Electrocardiography is a useful tool when included in healthcare protocols and is increasingly utilized for monitoring wild birds. However, the lack of reference data for many species is limiting the clinical value of this technique. In this study 26 Andean condors (Vultur gryphus) coming from rehabilitation and captive breeding programs were examined to determine electrocardiographic references prior to being released. Standard bipolar (I, II, and III) and augmented unipolar limb (aVR, aVL, and aVF) leads were recorded with birds under physical restraint. Five beats were analyzed on Lead II at 50 mm/sec and 1 cm = 1 mV to determine QRS complex morphology, cardiac rhythm, heart rate, P, PR, R, S, QRS, T, QT, and ST amplitude and/or duration. P and T wave configuration was determined for all leads, and Mean Electrical Axis (MEA) in the frontal plane was determined using leads I and III. Cardiac rhythm corresponded to regular sinus rhythm in 42% of the birds, with a relevant rate of sinus arrhythmia in 58%, and rS as the most common pattern (42%) for QRS complex in lead II. We found an influence of age and heart rate but not of sex on several ECG waves and intervals. Relevant ECG findings for studied Andean condors include a high rate of T(a), R', and U wave detection. Waves T(a) and R' were considered non-pathological, while the significance of U waves remains unclear. Our results provide a useful reference to improve clinical interpretation of full electrocardiographic examination in Andean condors.