DEMONSTRATION OF ASPERGILLUS SP. IN TISSUES OF THE COMMON LOON, GAVIA IMMER: INCIDENCE, PROGRESSION AND SEVERITY

By studying a large group of loons affected by an oil spill, much can be learned about the toxic effects of petroleum hydrocarbons in exposed birds, their ability to handle these environmental stressors, and their ability to combat natural pathogens. On January 19, 1996 the North Cape oil barge ran...

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Main Authors: D Horowitz, R Haebler
Format: Text
Language:unknown
Published: 2005
Subjects:
Online Access:http://oaspub.epa.gov/eims/eimsapi.dispdetail?deid=64549
id ftepa:oai:epaEIMS:64549
record_format openpolar
spelling ftepa:oai:epaEIMS:64549 2023-05-15T17:37:59+02:00 DEMONSTRATION OF ASPERGILLUS SP. IN TISSUES OF THE COMMON LOON, GAVIA IMMER: INCIDENCE, PROGRESSION AND SEVERITY D Horowitz R Haebler 2005-12-22T16:38:41Z http://oaspub.epa.gov/eims/eimsapi.dispdetail?deid=64549 unknown NATIONAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS RESEARCH LABORATORY Text 2005 ftepa 2007-11-21T14:00:52Z By studying a large group of loons affected by an oil spill, much can be learned about the toxic effects of petroleum hydrocarbons in exposed birds, their ability to handle these environmental stressors, and their ability to combat natural pathogens. On January 19, 1996 the North Cape oil barge ran aground off the coast of Rhode Island, releasing 800,000 gallons of #2 fuel oil into marine environment. Several hundred sea birds overwintering in near shore waters were exposed to the chemical stressors found in this highly refined oil. One hundred and fourteen oiled birds were captured alive, and the most abundant of these birds was the common loon, Gavia immer. As a result of oil toxicity, which caused stress and weakened the immune system in the loons, all efforts of treatment and rehabilitation were unsuccessful. Gross necropsies and histopathological examinations were performed on the loons lost in captivity. At necropsy, lesions of various sizes were observed covering many organs in the most severely affected birds. Histo-chemical techniques revealed dramatic growths of Aspergillus sp., showing the morphology, mode of reproduction, and spread of this fungus. Over time, the Aspergillus infection became more prevalent, correlating to the increased physiological stress. By using histopathology to trace the incidence, progression, and severity of the fungal infections throughout organ systems, we could assess the health impacts. Text North Cape Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Science Inventory North Cape ENVELOPE(165.700,165.700,-70.650,-70.650)
institution Open Polar
collection Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Science Inventory
op_collection_id ftepa
language unknown
description By studying a large group of loons affected by an oil spill, much can be learned about the toxic effects of petroleum hydrocarbons in exposed birds, their ability to handle these environmental stressors, and their ability to combat natural pathogens. On January 19, 1996 the North Cape oil barge ran aground off the coast of Rhode Island, releasing 800,000 gallons of #2 fuel oil into marine environment. Several hundred sea birds overwintering in near shore waters were exposed to the chemical stressors found in this highly refined oil. One hundred and fourteen oiled birds were captured alive, and the most abundant of these birds was the common loon, Gavia immer. As a result of oil toxicity, which caused stress and weakened the immune system in the loons, all efforts of treatment and rehabilitation were unsuccessful. Gross necropsies and histopathological examinations were performed on the loons lost in captivity. At necropsy, lesions of various sizes were observed covering many organs in the most severely affected birds. Histo-chemical techniques revealed dramatic growths of Aspergillus sp., showing the morphology, mode of reproduction, and spread of this fungus. Over time, the Aspergillus infection became more prevalent, correlating to the increased physiological stress. By using histopathology to trace the incidence, progression, and severity of the fungal infections throughout organ systems, we could assess the health impacts.
format Text
author D Horowitz
R Haebler
spellingShingle D Horowitz
R Haebler
DEMONSTRATION OF ASPERGILLUS SP. IN TISSUES OF THE COMMON LOON, GAVIA IMMER: INCIDENCE, PROGRESSION AND SEVERITY
author_facet D Horowitz
R Haebler
author_sort D Horowitz
title DEMONSTRATION OF ASPERGILLUS SP. IN TISSUES OF THE COMMON LOON, GAVIA IMMER: INCIDENCE, PROGRESSION AND SEVERITY
title_short DEMONSTRATION OF ASPERGILLUS SP. IN TISSUES OF THE COMMON LOON, GAVIA IMMER: INCIDENCE, PROGRESSION AND SEVERITY
title_full DEMONSTRATION OF ASPERGILLUS SP. IN TISSUES OF THE COMMON LOON, GAVIA IMMER: INCIDENCE, PROGRESSION AND SEVERITY
title_fullStr DEMONSTRATION OF ASPERGILLUS SP. IN TISSUES OF THE COMMON LOON, GAVIA IMMER: INCIDENCE, PROGRESSION AND SEVERITY
title_full_unstemmed DEMONSTRATION OF ASPERGILLUS SP. IN TISSUES OF THE COMMON LOON, GAVIA IMMER: INCIDENCE, PROGRESSION AND SEVERITY
title_sort demonstration of aspergillus sp. in tissues of the common loon, gavia immer: incidence, progression and severity
publishDate 2005
url http://oaspub.epa.gov/eims/eimsapi.dispdetail?deid=64549
long_lat ENVELOPE(165.700,165.700,-70.650,-70.650)
geographic North Cape
geographic_facet North Cape
genre North Cape
genre_facet North Cape
op_source NATIONAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS RESEARCH LABORATORY
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