Fatal avian malaria in captive Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) in Switzerland. ...

• Main Authors: Meister, Seraina L., Richard, Olivia K., Hoby, Stefan, Gurtner, Corinne, Basso, Walter U.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Elsevier 2021
• Subjects: 570 Life sciences; biology; 590 Animals Zoology; 630 Agriculture; fratercula; Fratercula arctica
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.48350/153518; https://boris.unibe.ch/153518/

Avian malaria is a vector-borne disease caused by Plasmodium species, which may affect a broad spectrum of bird families worldwide. In most endemic and migratory birds, Plasmodium infections seem not to cause severe harm; however, non-indigenous species kept in human care such as penguins may experience high morbidity and mortality rates. Fatal avian malaria may also occur in other non-native seabirds such as puffins (Fratercula spp.), but reported cases are scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze seven cases of sudden death in captive Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) at Berne Animal Park in Switzerland between 2010 and 2020, and to determine the involvement of haemosporidian parasites in the fatal outcome. In all cases, lymphoplasmacytic inflammation, necrotic lesions in several organs and presence of protozoan stages within tissues/erythrocytes or accumulation of iron-based pigment were observed histologically. A one-step multiplex PCR designed to simultaneously detect and discriminate ...