Molecular survey on the occurrence of avian haemosporidia, Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis in waterfowl from central Italy

Publication date: Available online 25 July 2019Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and WildlifeAuthor(s): Valentina Virginia Ebani, Simona Nardoni, Marinella Giani, Guido Rocchigiani, Talieh Archin, Iolanda Altomonte, Alessandro Poli, Francesca ManciantiAbstractThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of some avian Haemosporidia, Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis in waterfowl from Tuscany wetlands. One-hundred and thirty-three samples of spleen were collected from regularly hunted wild birds belonging to 13 different waterfowl species. DNA extracted from each sample was submitted to PCR assays and sequencing to detect the pathogens. Thirty-three samples (24.81%) were positive with PCR for at least one pathogen: 23 (17.29%) for Leucocytozoon spp., 6 (4.51%) for Plasmodium spp., 4 (3%) for C. burnetii, 2 (1.5%) for Haemoproteus spp. No specific F. tularensis amplifications (0%) were detected. To the best of our knowledge, this study firstly reports data about haemosporidian and C. burnetii infections in waterfowl from Italy.Graphical abstractCoxiella burnetii and several haemosporidia species and strains are circulating in wild waterfowl in Central Italy. C.burnetii-infected birds are potential source of infection for humans.

Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife - July 25, 2019 Category: Parasitology Source Type: research