Fatal avian malaria in captive Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) in Switzerland
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 experi...
Published in: | International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife |
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:65c3a86136d148ecaf4460293907df97 2023-05-15T15:27:57+02:00 Fatal avian malaria in captive Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) in Switzerland Seraina L. Meister Olivia K. Richard Stefan Hoby Corinne Gurtner Walter U. Basso 2021-04-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.12.007 https://doaj.org/article/65c3a86136d148ecaf4460293907df97 EN eng Elsevier http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224421000055 https://doaj.org/toc/2213-2244 2213-2244 doi:10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.12.007 https://doaj.org/article/65c3a86136d148ecaf4460293907df97 International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, Vol 14, Iss , Pp 97-106 (2021) Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica Avian malaria Plasmodium One-step multiplex PCR Nested PCR Zoology QL1-991 article 2021 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.12.007 2022-12-31T06:33:01Z 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 haemosporidia belonging to the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon, and a nested PCR detecting Plasmodium and Haemoproteus infections were performed on DNA extracted from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) or fresh liver and spleen tissues from five and two birds, respectively. Plasmodium spp. DNA was detected in the tissues from six of seven birds by the one-step multiplex PCR and in five of seven individuals by the nested PCR protocol. Direct sequencing of the amplification products allowed the molecular identification of Plasmodium relictum SGS1 as the involved species in three individuals and Plasmodium matutinum LINN1 in two of these fatal cases. In one bird, no haemosporidian DNA could be amplified from FFPE tissues despite of suggestive histopathological findings. These results indicate that avian malaria represents an important cause of death in captive puffins and it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in unclear or fatal cases in this threatened bird species. Article in Journal/Newspaper Atlantic puffin fratercula Fratercula arctica Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 14 97 106 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica Avian malaria Plasmodium One-step multiplex PCR Nested PCR Zoology QL1-991 |
spellingShingle |
Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica Avian malaria Plasmodium One-step multiplex PCR Nested PCR Zoology QL1-991 Seraina L. Meister Olivia K. Richard Stefan Hoby Corinne Gurtner Walter U. Basso Fatal avian malaria in captive Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) in Switzerland |
topic_facet |
Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica Avian malaria Plasmodium One-step multiplex PCR Nested PCR Zoology QL1-991 |
description |
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 haemosporidia belonging to the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon, and a nested PCR detecting Plasmodium and Haemoproteus infections were performed on DNA extracted from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) or fresh liver and spleen tissues from five and two birds, respectively. Plasmodium spp. DNA was detected in the tissues from six of seven birds by the one-step multiplex PCR and in five of seven individuals by the nested PCR protocol. Direct sequencing of the amplification products allowed the molecular identification of Plasmodium relictum SGS1 as the involved species in three individuals and Plasmodium matutinum LINN1 in two of these fatal cases. In one bird, no haemosporidian DNA could be amplified from FFPE tissues despite of suggestive histopathological findings. These results indicate that avian malaria represents an important cause of death in captive puffins and it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in unclear or fatal cases in this threatened bird species. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Seraina L. Meister Olivia K. Richard Stefan Hoby Corinne Gurtner Walter U. Basso |
author_facet |
Seraina L. Meister Olivia K. Richard Stefan Hoby Corinne Gurtner Walter U. Basso |
author_sort |
Seraina L. Meister |
title |
Fatal avian malaria in captive Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) in Switzerland |
title_short |
Fatal avian malaria in captive Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) in Switzerland |
title_full |
Fatal avian malaria in captive Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) in Switzerland |
title_fullStr |
Fatal avian malaria in captive Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) in Switzerland |
title_full_unstemmed |
Fatal avian malaria in captive Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) in Switzerland |
title_sort |
fatal avian malaria in captive atlantic puffins (fratercula arctica) in switzerland |
publisher |
Elsevier |
publishDate |
2021 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.12.007 https://doaj.org/article/65c3a86136d148ecaf4460293907df97 |
genre |
Atlantic puffin fratercula Fratercula arctica |
genre_facet |
Atlantic puffin fratercula Fratercula arctica |
op_source |
International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, Vol 14, Iss , Pp 97-106 (2021) |
op_relation |
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224421000055 https://doaj.org/toc/2213-2244 2213-2244 doi:10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.12.007 https://doaj.org/article/65c3a86136d148ecaf4460293907df97 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.12.007 |
container_title |
International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife |
container_volume |
14 |
container_start_page |
97 |
op_container_end_page |
106 |
_version_ |
1766358347817156608 |