Characteristics of naturally acquired avian malaria infections in naive juvenile African black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus)

Antibody responses to naturally acquired Plasmodium relictum and P. elongatum infections, blood parasitemia, and disease signs were investigated in 23 naive juvenile African black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus). Anti-Plasmodium spp. immunoglobulins were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Parasitology Research 1994, Vol.80 (8), p.634-637
Main Authors: GRACZYK, T. K, CRANFIELD, M. R, MCCUTCHAN, T.F, BICKENESE, E. J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal protozoal diseases
Animals
Animals, Zoo
Antibodies, Protozoan - biosynthesis
Antibodies, Protozoan - blood
Biological and medical sciences
Birds
Infectious diseases
Malaria, Avian - immunology
Malaria, Avian - parasitology
Malaria, Avian - transmission
Male
Medical sciences
Parasitemia - immunology
Parasitemia - veterinary
Parasitic diseases
Plasmodium - immunology
Protozoal diseases
Time Factors
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Summary:Antibody responses to naturally acquired Plasmodium relictum and P. elongatum infections, blood parasitemia, and disease signs were investigated in 23 naive juvenile African black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus). Anti-Plasmodium spp. immunoglobulins were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using P. falciparum antigens. All birds rapidly developed antibody to P. relictum and P. elongatum. Five penguins showed detectable parasitemia and signs of the disease. Parasitemia was not related to the timing of the maximal antibody response or to the antibody titer. Two of the five parasitemic birds died and gross examination revealed splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and congested, edematous lungs. Although the other 17 birds were clearly exposed to the disease, none showed signs of infection. No subsequent episode of parasitemia was observed in individual penguins. A comparison of the fate of 1993 penguins with those from other years showed a great variability in the proportion of birds exhibiting signs of malaria.
ISSN:0932-0113
0044-3255
1432-1955
DOI:10.1007/BF00932944