Endoparasite Infections in Pet and Zoo Birds in Italy

Faecal samples were individually collected from pet (n=63) and zoo (n=83) birds representing 14 orders and 63 species. All the samples were examined by faecal flotation technique. In a subgroup of samples (n=75), molecular assays were also used to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia duodenali...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:TheScientificWorld 2012-01, Vol.2012 (2012), p.1-9
Main Authors: Marangi, Marianna, Papini, Roberto, Giangaspero, Annunziata, Mancianti, Francesca, Girivetto, Martine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Base Sequence
Birds
Birds - parasitology
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium meleagridis
Cryptosporidium parvum
Cysts
Diagnosis
Diseases
DNA Primers
Endoparasites
Feces
Flotation
Giardia
Giardia duodenalis
Italy
Molecular chains
Oocysts
Parasites
Parasites - classification
Parasites - isolation & purification
Parasitic diseases
Pets - parasitology
Public health
Subgroups
Testing
Zoonoses
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Summary:Faecal samples were individually collected from pet (n=63) and zoo (n=83) birds representing 14 orders and 63 species. All the samples were examined by faecal flotation technique. In a subgroup of samples (n=75), molecular assays were also used to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia duodenalis cysts. Overall, 35.6% of the birds harboured parasites (42.2% of zoo birds and 27% of pet birds), including Strongyles-Capillarids (8.9%), Ascaridia (6.8%), Strongyles (5.5%), G. duodenalis Assemblage A (5.3%), Coccidia (4.1%), Cryptosporidium (4%), Porrocaecum (2.7%), Porrocaecum-Capillarids (2%), and Syngamus-Capillarids (0.7%). The zoonotic G. duodenalis Assemblage A and Cryptosporidium were exclusively found in Psittaciformes, with prevalences of 10.3% and 7.7% within this bird group. Zoo birds were more likely to harbor mixed infections (OR = 14.81) and symptomatic birds to be parasitized (OR = 4.72). Clinicians should be aware of the public health implications posed by zoonotic G. duodenalis Assemblages and Cryptosporidium species in captive birds.
ISSN:2356-6140
1537-744X
1537-744X
DOI:10.1100/2012/253127