Age, sex, and season affect the risk of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis in a southeastern house finch population

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 755-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Altizer ◽  
Andrew K Davis ◽  
Katherine C Cook ◽  
John J Cherry
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Host Susceptibility ◽  
Eye Disease ◽  
Carpodacus Mexicanus ◽  
House Finch ◽  
House Finches ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Severe Infections

House finches (Carpodacus mexicanus (Muller, 1776)) in eastern North America have been affected by annual epidemics of an eye disease caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma gallisepticum since 1994. To identify factors associated with seasonal changes in prevalence and variation in host susceptibility, we monitored mycoplasmal conjunctivitis among wild house finches in a region of high prevalence in southeastern North America. We captured 888 birds between August 2001 and December 2003 and observed seasonal outbreaks characterized by rapid increases in prevalence from August to October each year. During periods of high prevalence, infection probability was significantly higher among juveniles than adults, and the severity of conjunctivitis among juvenile females was greater than for any other host category. We found no evidence linking moulting status to elevated infection risk among adult birds. Finally, house finches with conjunctivitis were in poorer condition than birds with no clinical signs of infection, particularly among those with severe infections. Results from this study are consistent with recent reports of seasonal and regional variation in mycoplasmal conjunctivitis and suggest that annual changes in host reproduction, behaviour, and age structure might be important determinants of the timing and magnitude of local epidemics.

scholarly journals Dynamics of Conjunctivitis and Mycoplasma Gallisepticum Infections in House Finches

The Auk ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry K. Hartup ◽  
Jean M. Bickal ◽  
Andre A. Dhondt ◽  
David H. Ley ◽  
George V. Kollias
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuation ◽  
Host Density ◽  
Mycoplasma Gallisepticum ◽  
Disease Prevalence ◽  
Significant Decline ◽  
Carpodacus Mexicanus ◽  
House Finch ◽  
House Finches

Abstract Conjunctivitis, an infectious disease caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), has produced a significant decline in eastern House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) of North America. In this paper, we present findings from two complementary studies designed to clarify annual and seasonal trends of MG infections in House Finches from the northeastern United States. The first was a field study of House Finches common to urban and residential habitat from Mercer County, New Jersey. We documented conjunctivitis in 11% (188/1,651) of the birds examined. Conjunctivitis prevalence in House Finches ranged from 0 to 43% per month, and exhibited marked seasonal fluctuation (elevations during fall and winter months and lower disease prevalence during the breeding season). There was excellent intermethod agreement on disease prevalence when measured by either presence of physical signs (conjunctivitis) or MG infection (kappa = 0.75). During the peak of the breeding season (April through June), conjunctivitis was present in a greater proportion of males lacking a cloacal protuberance than males with a cloacal protuberance (P < 0.01), but was similar between breeding and nonbreeding females. The second study, a volunteer survey, revealed the proportion of northeastern U.S. monitoring sites with at least one diseased House Finch each month ranged from a peak of 59% (August 1995) to a minimum of 12% (July 1999). Subsequent to the epidemic peak of disease in 1995, a series of recurring cycles occurred, with elevations in those proportions noted in late fall and winter and minima during the breeding season. Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis now appears endemic among House Finches of that region and demonstrates dynamics consistent with annual variation in host density.

Electrically Elicited Vocalization From the Brain of the House Finch (Carpodacus Mexicanus)

Behaviour ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 60 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 75-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Epro
Keyword(s):  
Local Anesthetic ◽  
Carpodacus Mexicanus ◽  
House Finch ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
House Finches ◽  
Call Type ◽  
Anatomical Localization ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Brain

AbstractVocalizations were electrically elicited from the brains of thirty-eight male and female house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) using acute procedures and local anesthetic. Nine types of call notes were produced including notes which sounded like song elements, but complete normal song was never evoked. Vocalizations could be electrically elicited from all parts of the brain except the cerebellum, but the widest variety of calls and the points yielding vocalizations at the lowest threshold were located in the midbrain around the nucleus mesencephalicus lateralis pars dorsalis. Precise anatomical localization of call type was not found and all calls were elicited from both males and females.

Parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds and productivity of House Finch hosts

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 1714-1721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel R Kozlovic
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Molothrus Ater ◽  
Carpodacus Mexicanus ◽  
House Finch ◽  
House Finches ◽  
Cowbird Parasitism ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Egg Removal ◽  
Established Population

The effect of parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) on the reproductive success of a recently established population of House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) was studied at St. Catharines, Ontario, during 1983-1985. House Finches began to colonize Ontario in 1972 and breeding was first observed there in 1978. Cowbirds laid in 40.2% of House Finch nests and parasitism was most prevalent during the peak of House Finch nesting. Clutches initiated early in the season were free of cowbird eggs. Most (76%) House Finch nests were parasitized within 2 days after the first House Finch egg was laid. Parasitized House Finch nests contained 1-3 cowbird eggs and the mean number of cowbird eggs per parasitized nest was 1.30. Frequency of multiple parasitism was 24.2% and the number of cowbird eggs per nest was not significantly different from a truncated Poisson distribution. Cowbird parasitism depressed House Finch clutch size and number of hatchlings and fledglings, but the proportion of surviving eggs in parasitized nests that yielded hatchlings and fledglings was not influenced by parasitism. Overall growth of House Finch nestlings did not differ significantly between parasitized and unparasitized nests. Thus, House Finches were able to successfully rear most of their young irrespective of parasitism. The decrease in reproductive output of House Finches was mainly due to egg removal by cowbirds, which effectively reduced the clutch size of parasitized nests by about 1 House Finch egg.

Nest mites (Pellonyssus reedi) and the reproductive biology of the house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (12) ◽  
pp. 2126-2133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M Stoehr ◽  
Paul M Nolan ◽  
Geoffrey E Hill ◽  
Kevin J McGraw
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Carpodacus Mexicanus ◽  
House Finch ◽  
East Central ◽  
House Finches ◽  
Male Plumage ◽  
Initial Appearance ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Mite Infestations ◽  
Male House

We investigated the effects of a hematophagous nestling mite (Pellonyssus reedi, Acari: Macronyssidae) on the reproductive biology of the house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) in east-central Alabama, U.S.A. Mites were absent from nests for the first half of the breeding season, but after their initial appearance they increased in number and were present in almost all nests. High nest-mite levels were associated with decreased nestling mass and hematocrit, but not with decreased nestling tarsus length. Experimental elimination of mites from some nests confirmed that the effects observed were mite-induced, not seasonal. The plumage colour of breeding adult male house finches was not correlated with nest-mite levels, nor did it appear that redder males' offspring suffered less from the effects of mites. Adult house finches fed nestlings from highly parasitized nests less often than those from nests with few or no mites. It appears unlikely that mites are directly involved in the sexual selection of bright male plumage coloration in this population of house finches. However, it is known that early-nesting females preferentially pair with redder males, therefore the benefit of nesting early and avoiding mite infestations is greater for redder male house finches.

scholarly journals Wing Shape in House Finches Differs Relative to Migratory Habit in Eastern and Western North America

The Condor ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 825-829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy R. Egbert ◽  
James R. Belthoff
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Wing Length ◽  
Wing Shape ◽  
Migratory Behavior ◽  
Eastern North America ◽  
Carpodacus Mexicanus ◽  
Western North America ◽  
Wing Morphology ◽  
House Finches ◽  
Outer Primary

Abstract We investigated whether wing morphology differed between the sedentary House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) of western North America and the introduced population of eastern North America, as the latter has developed migratory behavior since its inception. Wing morphology differed between eastern and western House Finches. Eastern House Finches had shorter proximal primaries and a longer outer primary, perhaps reflecting a thinner and more pointed wing, although no disparity in wing length was detected. Since we interpret these differences in wing shape as modifications for flight capability, we believe that initial evidence for morphological divergence relative to migratory habit between eastern and western House Finches has been established here. Confirmatory studies to determine if wing morphology varies according to the gradient in expression of migratory behavior throughout the range of eastern House Finches are now warranted. La Forma Alar en Carpodacus mexicanus Difiere en Relación a los Hábitos Migratorios entre el Este y Oeste de Norte América Resumen. Investigamos si la morfología del ala difería entre individuos sedentarios de Carpodacus mexicanus del oeste de Norte América y la población introducida en el este de Norte América, la cual ha desarrollado un comportamiento migratorio desde su inserción. La morfología del ala difirió entre las poblaciones de C. mexicanus del este y del oeste. Los individuos del este tuvieron primarias proximales más cortas y primarias externas más largas, lo que quizás refleja un ala más fina y más puntiaguda, aunque no se detectó una diferencia en el largo del ala. Ya que interpretamos estas diferencias en la forma del ala como modificaciones para la capacidad del vuelo, creemos que se ha establecido una evidencia inicial de divergencia morfológica en relación con el hábito migratorio entre las poblaciones de C. mexicanus del este y del oeste de Norte América. Actualmente, son necesarios estudios que confirmen y determinen si la morfología del ala varía de acuerdo al gradiente de expresión del comportamiento migratorio a través del rango de distribución de la población de C. mexicanus del este.

scholarly journals First Case of Mycoplasma Gallisepticum Infection in the Western Range of The House Finch (Carpodacus Mexicanus)

The Auk ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 528-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renee A. Duckworth ◽  
Alexander V. Badyaev ◽  
Kristy L. Farmer ◽  
Geoffrey E. Hill ◽  
Sharon R. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Mycoplasma Gallisepticum ◽  
Western Montana ◽  
Carpodacus Mexicanus ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
House Finch ◽  
Eastern United States ◽  
House Finches ◽  
First Case ◽  
Evolution Of Resistance ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract We report the first case of mycoplasmosis in the western range of the House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus). This disease originated in the eastern United States and has been previously documented only in eastern introduced House Finch populations where it reached epizootic proportions causing extensive and widespread mortality. Documentation of this dis-ease in western Montana suggests that previously disjunct eastern and western populations of House Finches are now mixing in the northern part of their range. More importantly, as native House Finches are highly susceptible to this novel pathogen, western populations may now be at risk of high mortality, similar to that experienced by non-native eastern populations. Close monitoring of this disease in the western part of the House Finch range will provide important insight into the dynamics of the emerging disease and evolution of resistance to the pathogen.

Evaluation of factors associated with recurrent and/or severe infections in patients with Down's syndrome

2003 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana M.A. Ribeiro ◽  
Cristina M. A. Jacob ◽  
Antonio C. Pastorino ◽  
Chong A. E. Kim ◽  
Ângela B. F. Fomin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Down's Syndrome ◽  
Down’S Syndrome ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Severe Infections

scholarly journals Porcine Gammaherpesviruses in Italian Commercial Swine Population: Frequent but Harmless

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Giovanni Franzo ◽  
Michele Drigo ◽  
Matteo Legnardi ◽  
Laura Grassi ◽  
Maria Luisa Menandro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Porcine Circovirus ◽  
Swine Industry ◽  
Positive Interaction ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Swine Population ◽  
Clinical Conditions

Differently from alpha- and betaherpesviruses affecting swine, interest in the recently discovered Suid gammaherpesvirus 3, Suid gammaherpesvirus 4, and Suid gammaherpesvirus 5, also known as porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses (PLHV-1, PLHV-2, and PLHV-3), has largely focused on their role as potential zoonotic agents in cases of xenotransplantation. However, their role as primary pathogens of swine or as co-factors for other lymphotropic infections has essentially been neglected. The present study aims at filling this gap, evaluating the association between PLHVs infection and different clinical conditions and/or porcine circovirus (PCV) co-infection. One hundred seventy-six samples were obtained from different animals located in a high-density pig area of Northern Italy in the period 2017–2020. The presence of PLHVs and PCVs was tested and quantified by specific real-time PCR: PLHVs were widespread among pigs (PLHV-1, PLHV-2, and PLHV-3 prevalence was 28.97%, 10.79%, and 4.54%, respectively) and detected in all considered tissues and clinical conditions. Frequent co-infections were also observed among PLHVs and with PCVs, although a significant association was not detected with the exception of a positive interaction between PLHV-1 and PLHV-3, and a negative one between PLHV-2 and PCV-2. Significantly, no association between PLHVs, alone or in co-infection, emerged with any of the considered clinical signs, their frequency being comparable between healthy and diseased animals. Based on these pieces of evidence and despite their high prevalence, PLHVs’ relevance for the swine industry appears negligible, either as primary pathogens or as predisposing factors for circovirus-induced diseases.

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