Phylogenetic analyses of Chlamydia psittaci ompA gene sequences from captive blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) with hepatic disease in Brazil.

Chlamydia psittaci was detected in 152 (72%) blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva, parrot from the Psittacidae family) out of a population of 212 that died during 2009-2011 in a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre in Minas Gerais, Brazil, following rescue from illegal wildlife trafficking. The macroscopic changes observed in these animals were hepatomegaly with multifocal white foci visible at the serosal surfaces of the liver, and extending into the parenchyma, and splenomegaly. The microscopic lesions observed in the liver included multifocal to coalescing miliary necrosis of hepatocytes with infiltration by heterophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells. In the spleen, loss of the normal architecture and infiltration by macrophages and plasma cells were observed. Stained tissue sections (Gimenez technique) revealed small round clusters suggestive of C. psittaci (reticulate bodies) in the cytoplasm of macrophages from the liver and spleen. Nine sequences of segments of the ompA gene, obtained from different individuals, were randomly selected for sequencing. The phylogenetic analyses showed that all strains clustered with genotype A, which is the most virulent genotype for birds. This genotype is involved in mortality of psittacines, is easily transmitted in captivity and represents a problem for successful rehabilitation. The results indicate the necessity to improve biosecurity in triage and to provide individual personal protection for professionals and caretakers.

Chlamydia psittaci a été détectée chez 152 (72 %) amazones à front bleu (Amazona aestiva, perroquet de la famille des Psittacidés) sur un total de 212 individus rescapés du trafic illégal et décédés en 2009 et 2011 dans un centre de sauvetage et de réhabilitation de la faune sauvage à Minas Gerais (Brésil). Les modifications macroscopiques observées sur ces oiseaux étaient une hépatomégalie avec des foyers blancs multifocaux visibles sur les surfaces séreuses du foie et s'étendant dans le parenchyme, et une splénomégalie. Les lésions microscopiques observées dans le foie comprenaient une nécrose miliaire multifocale à coalescente des hépatocytes avec infiltration d'hétérophiles, de lymphocytes et de plasmocytes. Dans la rate, une perte de l'architecture normale et l'infiltration de macrophages et de plasmocytes ont été observées. La coloration de coupes de tissus (technique de Gimenez) a révélé de petites grappes rondes évoquant C. psittaci (corps réticulés) dans le cytoplasme des macrophages du foie et de la rate. Neuf produits segmentés d'une partie du gène ompA, obtenus de différents individus, ont été sélectionnés de manière aléatoire pour le séquençage. Les analyses phylogénétiques ont montré que toutes les souches se regroupaient dans le génotype A, qui est le plus virulent pour les oiseaux. Ce génotype est responsable de cas de mortalité chez les psittacidés et se transmet facilement en captivité, ce qui représente un risque pour la réussite des opérations de réhabilitation. Au vu de ces résultats, les auteurs soulignent la nécessité d'améliorer la biosécurité lors du tri des animaux dans les centres de soins et de fournir une protection individuelle aux professionnels et aux gardiens.

Se detectó Chlamydia psittaci en 152 (72%) amazonas frentiazules (Amazona aestiva, loro de la familia Psittacidae) de un total de 212 que murieron durante 2009­2011 en un centro de rescate y rehabilitación de fauna silvestre de Minas Gerais, Brasil, tras haber sido rescatadas del tráfico ilegal. Los cambios macroscópicos que se observaron en estos animales fueron hepatomegalia con focos blancos multifocales visibles en las superficies serosas del hígado y que se extendían hacia el parénquima, y esplenomegalia. Las lesiones microscópicas observadas en el hígado consistieron en necrosis miliar multifocal a coalescente de hepatocitos con infiltración de heterófilos, linfocitos y células plasmáticas. En el bazo, se observó pérdida de la arquitectura normal y infiltración de macrófagos y células plasmáticas. Cortes de tejido teñidos (con la técnica de Giménez) revelaron pequeños racimos redondos que sugerían la presencia de C. psittaci (cuerpos reticulados) en el citoplasma de macrófagos del hígado y del bazo. A partir de distintos individuos, se escogieron aleatoriamente nueve segmentos del gen ompA para ser secuenciados. Los análisis filogenéticos mostraron que todas las cepas correspondían al genotipo A, que es el más virulento para las aves. Este genotipo está involucrado en la mortalidad de psitácidas, se transmite fácilmente en cautiverio y supone un riesgo para el éxito de la rehabilitación. Los resultados indican la necesidad de mejorar la bioseguridad en el triaje y de procurar protección personal individual a profesionales y cuidadores.

Isolation and molecular identification of lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacterium spp. from faeces of the blue-fronted Amazon parrot in Brazil.

In Brazil, the blue-fronted Amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva) is a common pet. The faecal microbiota of these birds include a wide variety of bacterial species, the majority of which belong to the Gram-positive lactic acid bacteria (LAB) clade. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the diversity and abundance of LAB and Bifidobacterium spp. in the cloacae between wild and captive birds and to select, identify and characterise LAB for consideration as a parrot probiotic. Cloacal swabs were collected from 26 wild and 26 captive birds. Bacterial DNA was extracted, and the 16S rRNA genes were amplified. The numbers of PCR-positive Enterococcus, Pediococcus, and Lactobacillus species isolated from wild and captive birds were significantly different (P<0.05). Enterococcus was the most frequently isolated genus, followed by Pediococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus and Bifidobacterium. Enterococcus faecium, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus coryniformis, Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis and Bifidobacterium bifidum were the most frequently isolated species from all birds. This study increases our understanding of the faecal microbiota, and may help to improve the nutrition and habitat management of captive and wild parrots. The bacterial population identified in the faecal microbiota of clinically healthy wild and captive parrots can serve as a database to analyse variations in the gut microbiota of pathogen-infected parrots and to develop probiotics specific to these genera.

Distribuição configurada pela artéria celíaca em papagaios-verdadeiros (Amazona aestiva) / Configured distribution of the celiac artery in blue-fronted amazon (Amazona aestiva)

Foram descritas a origem e a distribuição da artéria celíaca em 20 papagaios-verdadeiros (Amazona aestiva), por meio do preenchimento do sistema arterial com solução de látex corado, fixado em solução de formol, para posterior dissecação de seus ramos colaterais. Como primeiro ramo, a artéria célica emitiu a artéria proventricular dorsal, que seguiu para o ventrículo como artéria gástrica dorsal e, em seguida, enviou a artéria proventricular ventral, que em 85 por cento dos exemplares se originou diretamente da artéria celíaca, ou do seu ramo esquerdo em 15 por cento. Em 25 por cento dos casos, a artéria esplênica foi emitida antes da bifurcação em ramo esquerdo e direito. O ramo esquerdo foi responsável pela origem de ramos proventriculares, ramos pilóricos, artéria esplênica e artéria proventricular ventral, a qual emitiu ramos ao proventrículo e ao esôfago. A artéria celíaca também originou as artérias gástrica ventral e gástrica esquerda, que foram responsáveis pela emissão da artéria hepática esquerda. O ramo direito emitiu artérias esplênicas - que variaram de uma a sete -, duodenal - destinada ao segmento mais caudal da alça ascendente do duodeno, hepática direita - para o lobo direito do fígado. Em seu segmento terminal, o ramo direito dividiu-se em artérias gástrica direita - para o ventrículo -, pancreaticoduodenal - para o pâncreas, alças ascendente e descendente do duodeno e segmentos cranial do íleo e caudal do jejuno. A irrigação determinada pela artéria celíaca nos papagaios segue o que é proposto para aves de outros gêneros, apresentando divergências como ausência das artérias vesicular e ileocecal, bem como da vesícula biliar e ceco.

This research was performed aiming to describe the origin and the distribution of the celiac artery in 20 blue fronted amazon (Amazona aestiva), through the completion of their circulatory system with an aqueous solution of colored latex, followed by fixation in formol for later dissection of the collateral branches. The first branch emitted the proventricular dorsal artery that headed to the ventricle as gastric dorsal artery and next emitted the proventricular ventral artery which originated on the celiac artery in 85 percent of the cases and in 15 percent had its origin on the left branch of the celiac artery. In 25 percent of the cases the splenic artery was emitted before the bifurcation on left and right branches. The left branch was responsible for the origin of the proventricular branches, piloric branches, splenic artery and proventricular artery, which emitted branches to the proventricle and esophagus. The celiac artery also emitted the gastric ventral artery and left gastric. The right branch emitted splenic arteries (that varied from a number of seven); duodenal bound for the more caudal segment of the ascendant segment of the duodenum and the right hepatica to the right liver lobe. On its terminal segment the right branch was divided into right gastric arteries to the ventricle and pancreaticduodenal to the pancreas, ascendant and descendant braces of the duodenum and to the cranial segments of the ileum and caudal of the jejune. The irrigation provided by the celiac artery in parrots remains the same as described for other bird genders showing as divergences: the lack of vesicular arteries and ileocecal as well the gall bladder and the cecos.

Distribuição configurada pela artéria celíaca em papagaios-verdadeiros (Amazona aestiva) / Configured distribution of the celiac artery in blue-fronted amazon (Amazona aestiva)

Foram descritas a origem e a distribuição da artéria celíaca em 20 papagaios-verdadeiros (Amazona aestiva), por meio do preenchimento do sistema arterial com solução de látex corado, fixado em solução de formol, para posterior dissecação de seus ramos colaterais. Como primeiro ramo, a artéria célica emitiu a artéria proventricular dorsal, que seguiu para o ventrículo como artéria gástrica dorsal e, em seguida, enviou a artéria proventricular ventral, que em 85 por cento dos exemplares se originou diretamente da artéria celíaca, ou do seu ramo esquerdo em 15 por cento. Em 25 por cento dos casos, a artéria esplênica foi emitida antes da bifurcação em ramo esquerdo e direito. O ramo esquerdo foi responsável pela origem de ramos proventriculares, ramos pilóricos, artéria esplênica e artéria proventricular ventral, a qual emitiu ramos ao proventrículo e ao esôfago. A artéria celíaca também originou as artérias gástrica ventral e gástrica esquerda, que foram responsáveis pela emissão da artéria hepática esquerda. O ramo direito emitiu artérias esplênicas - que variaram de uma a sete -, duodenal - destinada ao segmento mais caudal da alça ascendente do duodeno, hepática direita - para o lobo direito do fígado. Em seu segmento terminal, o ramo direito dividiu-se em artérias gástrica direita - para o ventrículo -, pancreaticoduodenal - para o pâncreas, alças ascendente e descendente do duodeno e segmentos cranial do íleo e caudal do jejuno. A irrigação determinada pela artéria celíaca nos papagaios segue o que é proposto para aves de outros gêneros, apresentando divergências como ausência das artérias vesicular e ileocecal, bem como da vesícula biliar e ceco.(AU)

This research was performed aiming to describe the origin and the distribution of the celiac artery in 20 blue fronted amazon (Amazona aestiva), through the completion of their circulatory system with an aqueous solution of colored latex, followed by fixation in formol for later dissection of the collateral branches. The first branch emitted the proventricular dorsal artery that headed to the ventricle as gastric dorsal artery and next emitted the proventricular ventral artery which originated on the celiac artery in 85 percent of the cases and in 15 percent had its origin on the left branch of the celiac artery. In 25 percent of the cases the splenic artery was emitted before the bifurcation on left and right branches. The left branch was responsible for the origin of the proventricular branches, piloric branches, splenic artery and proventricular artery, which emitted branches to the proventricle and esophagus. The celiac artery also emitted the gastric ventral artery and left gastric. The right branch emitted splenic arteries (that varied from a number of seven); duodenal bound for the more caudal segment of the ascendant segment of the duodenum and the right hepatica to the right liver lobe. On its terminal segment the right branch was divided into right gastric arteries to the ventricle and pancreaticduodenal to the pancreas, ascendant and descendant braces of the duodenum and to the cranial segments of the ileum and caudal of the jejune. The irrigation provided by the celiac artery in parrots remains the same as described for other bird genders showing as divergences: the lack of vesicular arteries and ileocecal as well the gall bladder and the cecos.(AU)