Listeriosis Outbreak in Sheep Raised in Feedlots in the Southern Region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Background: A listeriosis outbreak in a sheep fattening feedlot in the Southern Region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil is described. This disease is caused by Listeria monocytogenes and represents a risk to public health since it affects not only ruminants but also humans. This agent is widely spread in the environment, such as in the soil and water. It is also found in decaying vegetable matter and the feces and fluids of domestic animals. The aim of this study was to describe a listeriosis outbreak in sheep raised in feedlots, its epidemiology, and to establish the importance of this disease in this type of sheep management system, evaluate the possible sources of infection, and suggest ways to control it.Cases: Sheep were kept in a 2-sector shed, one with east solar orientation and the other with west solar orientation, the latter with free access to domestic birds. Sheep were fed silage and concentrate. Seven sheep were affected, 5 died and 2 recovered. Clinically, the sheep displayed loss of balance, excessive drooling, and tremors; one exhibited circling, head deviation, apathy, nystagmus, lateral recumbency, paddling, and labored breathing. At necropsy, macroscopic lesions were not found, and histologically several micro-abscesses and perivascular cuffs with lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils were present in the brain stem. Listeria monocytogenes suspected colonies were observed in the microbiological culture, and the bacteria was identified by biochemical analysis. The immunohistochemistry test in brain stem sections was positive for the antibody BD DifcoTM Listeria O Antiserum Poly Serotypes 1 and 4.Discussion: A listeriosis outbreak in a feedlot sheep was confirmed through epidemiological findings, histological lesions, bacterial culture, and immunohistochemistry analysis. This infection is frequent in sheep fed silage of poor quality or other food with improper storage and lack of hygiene. In the present outbreak, the bacteria were isolated from silage. However, it is likely that domestic birds, which were raised in the same place and had free access to the west sector of the feedlot, were the initial source of infection, because the sheep from the opposite sector (east) did not get ill. The disease caused by environmental contamination or through contact with fluids and feces of ducks, chickens, cattle, and pigs has already been described in outbreaks that occurred in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul. Sheep aggregation in feedlot systems is also a favorable factor for the development of the bacteria and the occurrence of outbreaks because the accumulation of feces and urine cause humidity on the stalls. This allows outbreaks to occur in other seasons of the year, such as in the outbreak reported herein. The exchange of silage that served as food for sheep was another control measure, and new cases were not reported 8 months after these procedures were taken. In the outbreak studied, 2 sheep that exhibited clinical signs were treated with oxytetracycline and recovered. Some authors report that treatment for listeriosis is inefficient because neurological lesions are irreversible. Nonetheless, other studies have reported the recovery of some animals when they were treated with oxytetracycline or a combination of oxytetracycline and dexamethasone or ampicillin and gentamicin like in the outbreak described in this paper.Keywords: Listeria monocytogenes, central nervous system, silage, feedlot, ovine.

Domestic Birds as Source of Cryptococcus deuterogattii (AFLP6/VGII): Potential Risk for Cryptococcosis

Cryptococcosis is an infection caused by encapsulated basidiomycetous yeasts belonging to the Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complexes. It is acquired through inhalation of infectious propagules, often resulting in meningitis and meningoencephalitis. The ecological niche of these agents is a wide variety of trees species, as well as pigeon, parrot and passerine excreta. The objective of this study was to isolate Cryptococcus yeasts from excreta of commercially traded parrots and passerines. The 237 samples were collected between October 2018 and April 2019 and processed using conventional methodologies. Nineteen colonies with a dark brown phenotype, caused by phenol oxidase activity, were isolated, suggesting the presence of pathogenic Cryptococcus yeasts. All isolates tested positive for urease activity. URA5-RFLP fingerprinting identified 14 isolates (68.4%) as C. neoformans (genotype AFLP1/VNI) and 5 (26.3%) as C. deuterogattii (genotype AFLP6/VGII). Multi-locus sequence typing was applied to investigate the relatedness of the C. deuterogattii isolates with those collected globally, showing that those originating from bird-excreta were genetically indistinguishable from some clinical isolates collected during the past two decades.

Study of ectoparasitic fauna diversity in wild birds from various anthropic biotopes of the Republic of Moldova

The results of the complex parasitological studies conducted in the wild birds of hunting interest as well as domestic birds demonstrates that the phenomenon of the poliparasitism is a static one, although the poliparasitic quantitative and qualitative structure is continuously changing. This is due to instantaneous contact of the wild birds with the domestic ones, irregular deparasiting of domestic animals and their crates, reduced areas for animals breading and maintenance that ensures the permanent contact with the wild birds as the infestation source. The findings of the study on the diversity of the ectoparasitic fauna in wild birds from various anthropic biotopes of Moldova revealed that the wild and domestic birds are infested with multiple parasites and that the most identified parasitoses are common for major birds of hunting interest as well as for the domestic birds.

First record of helminths parasitizing Vanellus chilensis (Aves, Charadriiformes) in Acre state, southwestern Brazilian Amazon

ABSTRACT The southern lapwing, Vanellus chilensis, is a bird frequently seen in most of Brazil. Although it is widely distributed in other Brazilian biomes, including some parts of the Brazilian Amazon, it has only been recorded in the western Amazonian state of Acre since 2000. We report the presence of intestinal parasites in individuals of V. chilensis from the Cazumbá-Iracema Extractive Reserve in Acre through a coproparasitological analysis. Seven of the nine sampled individuals were parasitized. We observed larvae of Strongyloides sp. (28.5% of the samples), and eggs of Ascaridia sp. (28.5%), Ancylostoma sp. (14.2%), and Choanotaenia sp. (42.8%). These parasites are reported for the first time parasitizing V. chilensis in Brazil. The parasitized birds may act as reservoirs and were recorded in a peridomicile area, which may facilitate their contact with domestic birds.

Emerging MDR-Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium in house-reared domestic birds as the first report in Egypt

Background Avian tuberculosis is a chronic and zoonotic disease that affects a wide variety of birds, mammals, and humans. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium in some domestic birds based on molecular diagnosis, antibiogram profile, and PCR-based detection of inhA, rpoB, rpsL, and otrB antibiotic resistance-related genes. Methods A total of 120 fecal samples were collected from small flocks of house-reared domestic birds at Ismailia Governorate, Egypt. The collected samples were processed and subjected to the bacteriological examination. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the recovered isolates was performed using the broth microdilution method for the detection of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). The genetic detection of the IS901confirmatory gene, inhA, rpoB, rpsL, and otrB genes was carried out using PCR. Results The frequency of M. avium subsp. avium was 4.1% (5/120); 10% (4/40) in ducks, and 2.5% (1/10) in geese. The identification of the recovered isolates was confirmed using PCR, where all the tested isolates were positive for IS901confirmatory gene. The results of the broth microdilution method revealed that most of the recovered isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR) to isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin, oxytetracycline, and doxycycline, and harbored the inhA, rpoB, rpsL, and otrB genes. Conclusion In brief, to the best of our knowledge this is the first report that emphasized the emergence of avian tuberculosis in house-reared domestic birds in Egypt. The emergence of MDR- M. avium subsp. avium is considered a public health threat. Emerging MDR-M. avium subsp. avium in domestic birds are commonly harbored the IS901, inhA, rpoB, rpsL, and otrB genes. Azithromycin and clofazimine revealed a promising in-vitro antibacterial activity against M. avium subsp. avium.

West Nile Virus in the State of Ceará, Northeast Brazil

In June 2019, a horse with neurological disorder was diagnosed with West Nile virus (WNV) in Boa Viagem, a municipality in the state of Ceará, northeast Brazil. A multi-institutional task force coordinated by the Brazilian Ministry of Health was deployed to the area for case investigation. A total of 513 biological samples from 78 humans, 157 domestic animals and 278 free-ranging wild birds, as well as 853 adult mosquitoes of 22 species were tested for WNV by highly specific serological and/or molecular tests. No active circulation of WNV was detected in vertebrates or mosquitoes by molecular methods. Previous exposure to WNV was confirmed by seroconversion in domestic birds and by the detection of specific neutralizing antibodies in 44% (11/25) of equids, 20.9% (14/67) of domestic birds, 4.7% (13/278) of free-ranging wild birds, 2.6% (2/78) of humans, and 1.5% (1/65) of small ruminants. Results indicate that not only equines but also humans and different species of domestic animals and wild birds were locally exposed to WNV. The detection of neutralizing antibodies for WNV in free-ranging individuals of abundant passerine species suggests that birds commonly found in the region may have been involved as amplifying hosts in local transmission cycles of WNV.

The Effect of Heavy Metal Pollution on Some Haematological Parameters in Domestic Birds: A Study in Camp2 Village, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to evaluate the concentrations of heavy metals in the blood of birds reared for food in Camp2 Community of Akamkpa, Cross River State, Nigeria. Twelve (12) male indigenous jungle fowls (Gallus domestica), six each from the control site (Ugep) and from Camp2 were sampled for the studies. Venous blood samples from the wings of the blood were collected and used for hematological and metal analysis. After digestion of the blood, heavy metals [cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (As), and Nickel (Ni)] were detected using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results indicated that Cd, Pb, As and Hg) levels in birds from camp2 village was significantly higher (p<0.05; p = 0.0070) than those of the Ugep control site. The average value of nickel in the blood of Camp2 birds (4.72+1.32mg/L) was significantly higher (p>0.05; p= 0.003) than that of the Ugep control site (4.22+1.07mg/L). The result shows that nickel, lead and Cadmium in blood samples were significantly (p<0.05; p = 0.023) higher in Camp2 compared to the control site. Hence, these values were above WHO standard (0.1mg/l) and FAO/WHO standards of (0.2mg/kg) while others were within joint FAO/WHO standard limit. The studies show that domestic birds can bioaccumulate heavy metals in their blood, which in turn, presents serious health risks to humans who consume these birds within the communities.

Checklist of chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera and Ischnocera) of the birds of Peru

Peru is one of the countries with the highest diversity of birds worldwide, having about 1,876 species in its territory. However, studies focused on chewing lice (Phthiraptera) have been carried out on only a minority of bird species. The available data are distributed in 87 publications in the national and international literature. In this checklist we summarize all the records to date of chewing lice on wild and domestic birds in Peru. Among the 301 species of birds studied, 266 species of chewing lice were recorded. The localities with the highest records were the Departments of Cusco, Junín, Lima and Madre de Dios. No records of birds parasitized by these lice have been found in seven departments of Peru. Studies related to lice have only been reported in 16 % of bird species in the country, indicating that research concerning chewing lice has not yet been performed for the the majority of birds in Peru. Dataset published through GBIF (Doi: 10.15470/u1jtiu)