Molecular identification of Cryptosporidium baileyi in Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata domesticus) in free-range production systems

ABSTRACT: Cryptosporidiosis is considered an infection with impact on animal health. It has been associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, leading to significant economic losses to the poultry industry. This study investigated the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in domestic ducks of family Anatidae (Cairina moschata) from two rustic commercial aviaries located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A total of 315 fecal samples were collected from domestic ducks in two different areas (N=186 in area A and N=129 in area B). The microscopic analysis was conducted using a sugar centrifugal flotation technique for the identification of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, followed by PCR/sequencing analyses of the partial sequence of the 18S rDNA gene to determine the Cryptosporidium species. Of the 315 samples collected, only 10 (186/5.38%) from area A were positive for Cryptosporidium. The nucleotide sequence and phylogenetic analyses identified that all samples were identical (100%) and belonged to Cryptosporidium baileyi species, which is closely related to gastric species and of importance in animal health.

The Role of Ducks (Muscovy) and Catfish (Clarias Lazera) Meat in Transmitting Trichinella Spiralis Infection

Trichinellosis is a worldwide zoonotic food-borne disease that causes public health problems. The present study investigated the role of domestic ducks (Muscovy) and catfish (Clarias lazera) in transmitting Trichinella spiralis infection in Egypt. Ducks, fish, and rats were inoculated by high doses of Trichinella spiralis (T. Spiralis) larvae in naturally infected muscles of pigs and by free larvae extracted from artificial digestion. Both methods failed to develop an infection in ducks. No worms or cysts could be detected in ducks slaughtered 10, 25, and 45 days after inoculation. Moreover, there was no significant increase in the mean ELISA optical density (OD) value, compared to the control non-inoculated ducks. Inoculation of fish resulted in a significant increase in the mean ELISA OD value, compared to the control non-inoculated fish. This elevation was associated with the temporary detection of a few adult worms in the intestine of these fish which decreased with time till disappeared 45 days after inoculation but a non-significant increase was observed, compared to that obtained in the inoculated rats at the same stages. A large number of T. spiralis adult worms and cysts associated with a significant increase in the mean ELISA OD were recorded in the inoculated rats. Infection of rats (xenodiagnosis) by muscles collected from the inoculated ducks or fish failed to induce infection or elevation in the level of anti-T. spiralis antibodies (ATs-Ab) in their sera. In conclusion, Muscovy ducks and Clarias lazera could not be infected by T. spiralis in their muscles and the consumption of their meat could not transmit this infection to consumers in Egypt. However, proper cooking of meat is still necessary to avoid infection with other species.

Retrospective analysis of post-mortem findings in domestic ducks and geese from non-commercial flocks in Sweden, 2011–2020

Background Small poultry flock ownership has become a popular hobby in Europe and North America in recent years but there is a general lack of information regarding bird health and welfare. This retrospective analysis of routine post-mortem cases of non-commercial anseriform poultry aimed at providing information on causes of mortality mostly in relation to mortality events. For this purpose, birds that were submitted for routine post-mortem diagnostics to the National Veterinary Institute (SVA) in Sweden in 2011–2020 were retrospectively reviewed to determine main causes of mortality. Results Records from 79 necropsy submissions involving 120 birds (domestic ducks n = 41, Muscovy ducks n = 45, hybrid ducks n = 2 and domestic geese n = 32) were retrieved and analysed. Most submissions (72.2%) represented flock disease events and unexpected mortality was the most common cause of submission (70.9% of submissions). Twenty-two submissions (27.8%) were referred by veterinarians. There was a wide range of diagnoses of infectious and noninfectious aetiologies. Infectious causes of mortality included parasitic (19.2%), bacterial (13.3%), fungal (10.0%) and viral infections (3.3%) (at bird level of all 120 birds). Some of these infections such as duck virus enteritis (DVE), highly pathogenic influenza (HPAI H5N8) in Muscovy ducks and leucocytozoonosis (Leucocytozoon sp.) in all three species were most likely acquired from contact with wild free-living waterfowl. Generalised yeast infection (Muscovy duck disease) was diagnosed in Muscovy ducks and in a Muscovy duck/domestic duck hybrid. Other diseases were related to generalised noninfectious causes (27.5% of all birds) including diseases such as kidney disease, amyloidosis, cardiac dilatation, reproductive diseases and idiopathic inflammatory conditions. Nutritional or management-related diseases were diagnosed in 14.2% of all birds including rickets and gastrointestinal impaction/obstruction. Congenital/developmental, neoplastic, toxic and traumatic causes of mortality were rare. Conclusions The information obtained in this study can be used to identify and evaluate risks and help owners and veterinarians to prevent disease and provide adequate veterinary care for non-commercial anseriform poultry.

Detection of a Novel Reassortant H9N9 Avian Influenza Virus in Free-Range Ducks in Bangladesh

Wild aquatic birds are the primary natural reservoir for influenza A viruses (IAVs). In this study, an A(H9N9) influenza A virus (A/duck/Bangladesh/44493/2020) was identified via routine surveillance in free-range domestic ducks in Bangladesh. Phylogenetic analysis of hemagglutinin showed that the H9N9 virus belonged to the Y439-like lineage. The HA gene had the highest nucleotide identity to A/Bean Goose (Anser fabalis)/South Korea/KNU 2019-16/2019 (H9N2). The other seven gene segments clustered within the Eurasian lineage.

Longitudinal Analysis of Influenza A(H5) Sero-Surveillance in Myanmar Ducks, 2006–2019

Between 2006 and 2019, serological surveys in unvaccinated domestic ducks reared outdoors in Myanmar were performed, using a haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test, to confirm H5 avian influenza virus circulation and assess temporal and spatial distribution. Positive test results occurred every year that samples were collected. The annual proportion of positive farms ranged from 7.1% to 77.2%. The results revealed silent/sub-clinical influenza A (H5) virus circulation, even in years and States/Regions with no highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks reported. Further analysis of the 2018/19 results revealed considerable differences in seroconversion rates between four targeted States/Regions and between years, and showed seroconversion before and during the sampling period. By the end of the trial, a high proportion of farms were seronegative, leaving birds vulnerable to infection when sold. Positive results likely indicate infection with Gs/GD/96-lineage H5Nx HPAI viruses rather than other H5 subtype low-pathogenicity avian influenza viruses. The findings suggested persistent, but intermittent, circulation of Gs/GD/96-lineage H5Nx HPAI viruses in domestic ducks, despite the veterinary services’ outbreak detection and control efforts. The role of wild birds in transmission remains unclear but there is potential for spill-over in both directions. The findings of this study assist the national authorities in the design of appropriate, holistic avian influenza control programs.

Positive selection of skeleton-related genes during duck domestication revealed by whole genome sequencing

Background Domestication alters several phenotypic, neurological, and physiological traits in domestic animals compared to those in their wild ancestors. Domestic ducks originated from mallards, and some studies have shown that spot-billed ducks may have also made minor genetic contributions to domestication. Compared with the two ancestral species, domestic ducks generally differ in body size and bone morphology. In this study, we performed both genomic and transcriptomic analyses to identify candidate genes for elucidating the genetic mechanisms underlying phenotypic variation. Methods In this study, the duck genome data from eight domestic breeds and two wild species were collected to study the genetic changes during domestication. And the transcriptome data of different tissues from wild ducks and seven domestic ducks were used to reveal the expression difference between wild and domestic ducks. Results Using fixation index (Fst) algorithm and transcriptome data, we found that the genes related to skeletal development had high Fst values in wild and domestic breeds, and the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the ossification pathway. Our data strongly suggest that the skeletal systems of domestic ducks were changed to adapt to artificial selection for larger sizes. In addition, by combining the genome and transcriptome data, we found that some Fst candidate genes exhibited different expression patterns, and these genes were found to be involved in digestive, immune, and metabolic functions. Conclusions A wide range of phenotypic differences exists between domestic and wild ducks. Through both genome and transcriptome analyses, we found that genes related to the skeletal system in domestic ducks were strongly selected. Our findings provide new insight into duck domestication and selection effects during the domestication.

Accumulation of heavy metals in ducks exposed to heavy metals-contaminated water

The objective of this study was to determine the bioaccumulation of heavy metals (HM) (Cu, Zn, Hg, Pb and Cd) in 15 tissues (brain, breast muscle, sternum, thigh muscle, femur, blood, heart, lung, gizzard, liver, intestine, spleen, pancreas, bile and kidney) of domestic ducks exposed to HM-contaminated water with levels equal to values specified in the column B of QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT. The experiment was a completely randomized design with two treatments: without exposure to HM (CT) and with exposure to HM (ET). Each treatment was replicated 3 times. Ducks were randomly allocated to the treatments with a stocking density of 10 ducks per cage and reared for 8 weeks. The results showed that concentrations of HM, particularly toxic metals such as Hg, Pb and Cd, in all tissues of duck in the CT were lower than those in the ET. The highest levels of HM in tissues were found in the liver and kidney. In the ET, Pb levels in kidney and bone and Cd levels in liver and kidney exceeded the permissible exposure limit according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health of Vietnam and the European Commission. This study demonstrated that the accumulation of HM in duck tissues could happen even though ducks were exposed to relatively low concentrations of HM in water. Thus, further investigation on the bioaccumulation of HM in farmed ducks as well as wild water-birds should be conducted in the near future.

A systematic review of the parasites (Acanthocephala) of the domestic waterfowl

The article presents the information about a systematic review of parasitic worms – acanthocephalans of the domestic waterfowl. Based on our own and literature data, 12 acanthocephala species belonging to the 1 order, 1 family and 5 genera were identified in domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos dom.) and geese (Anser anser dom.). Three species of worms are found in domestic waterfowl in Azerbaijan. The acanthocephala Polymorphus magnus have been reported for the first time in Azerbaijan – Khachmaz region in both birds. Six species of acanthocephals parasitize only in anseriformes, and the remaining six species parasitize including other orders of birds (Ciconiiformes, Gruiformes, Galliformes, Podicipediformes, Gaviiformes, Falconiformes, Charadriiformes et al.) and even mammals (Rodentia, Carnivora). Of the registered acanthocephals, 3 species have a small area of distribution, and the remaining 9 species have a wide area. Each species is provided with the following data: scientific name, authority and year, synonyms, final, intermediate and auxiliary hosts, habitat in the bird body, collecting localities and geographic distribution, prevalence (PI) and intensity (II) of infection, literature sources. Keywords: geese, duck, acanthocephala, systematic review, area, hosts

EV SU QUŞLARINDA PARAZİTLİK EDƏN TİKANBAŞLILARIN (ACANTHOCEPHALA) SİSTEMATİK İCMALI

Açar sözlər: qaz, ördək, tikanbaşlılar, sistematik icmal, areal, sahiblər A systematic review of the parasites (Acanthocephala) of the domestic waterfowl Summary The article presents the information about a systematic review of parasitic worms – acanthocephalans of the domestic waterfowl. Based on our own and literature data, 12 acanthocephala species belonging to the 1 order, 1 family and 5 genera were identified in domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos dom.) and geese (Anser anser dom.). Three species of worms are found in domestic waterfowl in Azerbaijan. The acanthocephala Polymorphus magnus have been reported for the first time in Azerbaijan – Khachmaz region in both birds. Six species of acanthocephals parasitize only in anseriformes, and the remaining six species parasitize including other orders of birds (Ciconiiformes, Gruiformes, Galliformes, Podicipediformes, Gaviiformes, Falconiformes, Charadriiformes et al.) and even mammals (Rodentia, Carnivora). Of the registered acanthocephals, 3 species have a small area of distribution, and the remaining 9 species have a wide area. Each species is provided with the following data: scientific name, authority and year, synonyms, final, intermediate and auxiliary hosts, habitat in the bird body, collecting localities and geographic distribution, prevalence (PI) and intensity (II) of infection, literature sources. Keywords: geese, duck, acanthocephala, systematic review, area, hosts

A systematic review of tapeworms (Plathelminthes, Cestoda) of domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos dom.)

Tapeworms of domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos dom.) causing helminthiasis and serious damage to the hosts, cause economic damage in the poultry industry. Helminthological research devoted to the study of the parasite fauna, including tapeworms of domestic ducks, has been carried out in many countries. But there is no review information on the study of the helminth fauna of domestic ducks. We take our own materials and literature data and summarise the information on cestode parasites of Anas platyrhynchos dom., which have been recorded in the world until 2020. Each species is provided with the following data: scientific name, authority and year, intermediate and auxiliary hosts, habitat in the host body, collecting localities and geographic distribution, prevalence and intensity of infection and literature sources. Based on our own research and analysis of literature data, it was revealed that hitherto there are 419 species of helminths (Trematoda – 213, Cestoda – 89, Nematoda – 79, Acanthocephala – 11) recorded parasitising domestic ducks. The tapeworms found in Azerbaijan belong to four families (Dilepididae – 3, Hymenolepididae – 68, Davaineidae – 13, Diphyllobothriidae – 5). In Azerbaijan, 11 out of 89 species of helminths have been found in domestic ducks. Six of them were also noted in the course of our helminthological studies. The cestoda Diorchis inflata was recorded the first time in domestic ducks in Azerbaijan. Most species of cestodes were found in the north-eastern regions of Azerbaijan (Shabran – 11 species, Khachmaz – 6 species) and the southern region (Astara – 4 species). All of these areas are located on the shores of the Caspian Sea and are located on the annual migration route of wild birds involved in the spread of cestodes, which are considered biohelminths. Six species (Drepanidotaenia lanceolata, Hymenolepis apodemi, Hymenolepis diminuta, Ligula interrupta, Ligula intestinalis, Schistocephalus solidus) of cestodes parasitize both birds and mammals (D. lanceolata, H. diminuta in humans).