A new Haemocystidium (Apicomplexa: Plasmodiidae) species of the dhub lizard, Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis , in Abu Dhabi, distinguished by the absence of pigment.

The spiny-tailed lizard, Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis , in Abu Dhabi is parasitized by Haemocystidium apigmentada n. sp., and 2 species of Hepatozoon . The elongate gametocytes of H. apigmentada are 13-19 × 6-9 µm, with length × width (LW) 90-133 µm(2), and L/W ratio 1.56-3.17. Gametocyte dimensions do not differ by sex. Gametocytes are unpigmented. Hepatozoon species 1 has gamonts with a consistently terminal nucleus, with dimensions of 13-16 × 4.5-7 µm, LW of 58-104 µm(2), and L/W ratio of 2.00-3.22. Hepatozoon species 2 gamonts have a broad nucleus at the midbody, and dimensions of 13-15.5 × 5-7 µm, LW of 71-109 µm(2), and L/W ratio of 1.93-3.00.

Paraspiralatus sakeri n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Spiruroidea, Spirocercidae) from saker falcons, Falco cherrug in Saudi Arabia and the first report of larvae from the subcutaneous tissues of houbara bustards, Chlamydotis undulata macqueeni in Pakistan.

A new nematode genus and species, Paraspiralatus sakeri, is described from the stomach of a wild-caught, female saker falcon in Saudi Arabia. This spirurid differs from the nearest genus and species Spiralatus baeri Chabaud, Brygoo & Durette, 1963 in the shape of the pseudolabia, shape of the buccal capsule and absence of a large cephalic vesicle. In addition, third stage spirurid larvae were recovered for the first time from subcutaneous tissues of two houbara bustards. These had died in the Rahim Yar Khan Rehabilitation Center (Houbara Foundation International, Lahore, Pakistan) in Pakistan and were examined at the National Avian Research Center in the United Arab Emirates. The morphology of the larvae and host pathology are described. Comparative studies with the adult spirurids from the saker falcon showed each to have similar cephalic and pharyngeal morphological features to the adults described indicating they are probably the same species. Spirurid nematodes of the suborder Spirurina normally have an arthropod intermediate host. In view of the host, the site from which the larvae were recovered and the fact that this is a rare occurrence, the houbara bustard is considered to be a paratenic host.

Radiographic analysis of the growth rate of long bones in bustards.

A serial radiographic study was conducted on seven houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii), 10 rufous-crested bustard (Eupodotis ruficrista), four white-bellied bustard (Eupodotis senegalensis) and eight kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) chicks to determine the growth rate of long bones and to establish radiographic standards for assessing skeletal maturity. The growth rates of the tarsometatarsus and tibiotarsus in the bustard species investigated were similar to those in domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) and some long-legged avian species. Maturation of long bones occurred earlier in houbara bustards compared with rufous-crested, white-bellied and kori bustards.

Age-related plasma chemistry changes in houbara and kori bustards in the United Arab Emirates.

Plasma chemistry parameters were measured in adult (> 1.5 yr) and juvenile (4-8 and 9-16 wk) captive houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii) and from adult (> 1.5 yr) and juvenile (4-8, 9-16, 17-24, 25-32, 33-40 and 41-52 wk) captive kori bustards (Ardeotis kori) to study age-related changes. A comparison of the values obtained was made between adult and juvenile bustards of both species and from the literature with other bustard species. Significant differences between adult and juvenile bustards of both species were found for glucose, total protein, alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), aspartate amino transferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase, and calcium. Some parameters, such as calcium, showed comparable age-related changes in both species. In contrast, other parameters showed clear differences in the type (ALT, AST) or magnitude (ALKP) of age-related change between the species, demonstrating the importance of determining normal values for individual species. The results obtained from this study provide blood chemistry values for these species and demonstrate age-related differences between adult and juvenile birds.

Intestinal protozoa and associated bacteria in captive houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata) in the United Arab Emirates.

A protozoal survey was carried out in 114 captive houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata) in the United Arab Emirates. Trichomonas gallinarum, Chilomastix gallinarum, Giardia spp. and Lophomonas spp. were detected from faecal samples of 49 (43%) captive houbara bustards. Culture and identification studies were carried out to assess associated bacteria. The bacteria isolated from birds negative to protozoa included Enterococcus spp., Aerococcus spp., Micrococci spp., Proteus spp., Enterobacter spp., Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp., while Enterococcus spp., Micrococci kristinae, Aerococcus spp., Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Klebsiella spp. and Alcaligenes faecalis were isolated from protozoa positive birds. Proteus spp., Enterobacter spp., E. coli , Klebsiella spp., Aerococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. are considered part of the normal intestinal bacterial flora of captive bustards and they were also isolated from the food items used to feed the captive bustards. S. sciuri possibly originated from ingested mice; Alcaligenes faecalis and Micrococcus spp. are contaminants from soil or water.

Serum bile acids in captive bustards.

Blood samples were collected from clinically normal male and female houbara (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii), kori (Ardeotis kori), buff-crested (Eupodotis ruficrista gindiana) and white-bellied bustards (E. senegalensis) to determine serum bile acid concentrations. Bile acid concentrations were determined by analysis with an Ultrospec 3000 ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometer, using an enzymatic bile acid test. The results provided values of serum bile acid concentrations for the four species, with means +/- standard errors of 35.8 +/- 2.8 mumol; 51.1 +/- 5.0 mumol; 18.4 +/- 2.1 mumol and 20.8 +/- 5.4 mumol for the houbara, kori, buff-crested and white-bellied bustard, respectively. Although no gender or age differences were detected within species, the results demonstrated significant differences in concentrations in clinically normal individuals between the different species.

Radiographic monitoring of the ossification of long bones in kori (Ardeotis kori) and white-bellied (Eupodotis senegalensis) bustards.

A serial radiographic study was conducted on eight kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) and four white-bellied bustard (Eupodotis senegalensis) chicks to determine the pattern of long bone development and to establish radiographic standards for assessing skeletal maturity. The ossification pattern, appearance of secondary ossification centres, and epiphyseal fusion of the long bones in kori and white-bellied bustards were similar to those in houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii), rufous-crested bustards (Eupodotis ruficrista), domestic fowl (Gallus gallus), house wrens (Troglodytes aedon aedon), racing pigeons (Columba livia). and barn owls (Tyto alba). Secondary ossification centres were present at the proximal and distal tibiotarsus, proximal tarsometatarsus and proximal metacarpal III. The ossification of long bones occurred earlier in female kori bustards compared with males.

Duodenal volvulus in free-living green turtles from coastal United Arab Emirates.

Post-mortem examinations performed during May and August of 1997 on three free-living green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the United Arab Emirates revealed that all had stomachs full of fresh seagrass (approximately 99% of the total ingesta) and presented with a duodenal volvulus involving a length of approximately 100 cm. Duodeni appeared empty and necrotic with diffuse purple-black mucosa. No apparent signs of obstruction by foreign objects, acute endoparasitism, or other disorders were observed. In all cases, duodenal volvulus was diagnosed, the cause of which may have been dietary in origin. The rise in water temperature, with an associated rise in the temperature of seagrass, thus enhancing the over-fermentation of ingesta with the subsequent liberation of excessive amounts of gas was the probable cause of volvulus formation. Ingestion of foreign bodies and physical movement also are discussed as causes of digestive disorders. It is recommended that handlers should avoid 360 degrees rotation when overturning turtles onto their carapaces.

Drug metabolizing enzyme systems in the houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata).

This study compared catalytic and immunochemical properties of drug metabolizing phase I and II enzyme systems in houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata) liver and kidney and rat liver. P450 content in bustard liver (0.34 +/- 0.03 nmol mg-1 protein) was 50% lower than that of rat liver (0.70 +/- 0.02 nmol mg-1 protein). With the exception of aniline hydroxylase activity, monooxygenase activities using aminopyrine, ethoxyresorufin and ethoxycoumarin as substrates were all significantly lower than corresponding rat liver enzymes. As found in mammalian systems the P450 activities in the bird liver were higher than in the kidney. Immunohistochemical analysis of microsomes using antibodies to rat hepatic P450 demonstrated that bustard liver and kidney express P4502C11 homologous protein; no appreciable cross-reactivity was observed in bustards using antibodies to P4502E1, 1A1 or 1A2 isoenzymes. Glutathione content and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in bustard liver were comparable with those of rat liver. GST activity in the kidney was 65% lower than the liver. Western blotting of liver and kidney cytosol with human GST isoenzyme-specific antibodies revealed that the expression of alpha-class of antibodies exceeds mu in the bustard. In contrast, the pi-class of GST was not detected in the bustard liver. This data demonstrates that hepatic and renal microsomes from the bustard have multiple forms of phase I and phase II enzymes. The multiplicity and tissue specific expression of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in bustards may play a significant role in determining the pharmacokinetics of drugs and susceptibility of the birds to various environmental pollutants and toxic insults.

Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin after intravenous, intramuscular and oral administration in houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii).

The in-vitro activity of enrofloxacin against 117 strains of bacteria isolated from bustards was determined. Minimum inhibitory concentrations for 72% of the Proteus spp., E. coli, Salmonella spp. and Klebsiella spp. (n = 61) and for 48% of the Streptococci spp. and Staphylococci spp. (n = 31) were < or = 0.5 microg/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 76% of Pseudomonas spp. (n = 25) was < or = 2 microg/mL. Fourteen strains were resistant to concentrations > or = 128 microg/mL. The elimination half-lives (t1/2 elim beta) (mean +/- SEM) of 10 mg/kg enrofloxacin in eight houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata) were 6.80 +/- 0.79, 6.39 +/- 1.49 and 5.63 +/- 0.54 h after oral (p.o.), intramuscular (i.m.) and intravenous (i.v.) administration, respectively. Enrofloxacin was rapidly absorbed from the bustard gastro-intestinal tract and maximum plasma concentrations of 1.84 +/- 0.16 microg/mL were achieved after 0.66 +/- 0.05 h. Maximum plasma concentration after i.m. administration of 10 mg/kg was 2.75 +/- 0.11 microg/mL at 1.72 +/- 0.19 h. Maximum plasma concentration after i.m. administration of 15 mg/kg in two birds was 4.86 microg/mL. Bioavailability was 97.3 +/- 13.7% and 62.7 +/- 11.1% after i.m. and oral administration, respectively. Plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin > or = 0.5 microg/mL were maintained for at least 12 h for all routes at 10 mg/kg and for 24 h after i.m. administration at 15 mg/kg. Plasma enrofloxacin concentrations were monitored during the first 3 days of treatment in five houbara bustards and kori bustards (Ardeotis kori) with bacterial infections receiving a single daily i.m. injection of 10 mg/kg for 3 days. The mean plasma enrofloxacin concentrations in the clinical cases at 27 and 51 h (3.69 and 3.86 microg/mL) and at 48 h (0.70 microg/mL) were significantly higher compared with the 3 h and 24 h time intervals from clinically normal birds. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax)/MIC ratio was ranked i.v. (10/mg/kg) > i.m. (15 mg/kg) > i.m. (10 mg/kg) > oral (10 mg/kg), but it was only higher than 8:1 for i.v. and i.m. administrations of enrofloxacin at 10 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg, respectively, against a low MIC (0.5 microg/mL). A dosage regimen of 10 mg/kg repeated every 12 h, or 15 mg/kg repeated every 24 h, would be expected to give blood concentrations above 0. 5 microg/mL and hence provide therapeutic response in the bustard against a wide range of bacterial infections.

Maternal transfer of paramyxovirus type 1 antibodies and antibody response to a live Newcastle disease vaccine in kori bustards.

Studies were conducted to monitor the decline of maternal antibodies to paramyxovirus type 1 (PMV-1) in kori bustard chicks (Ardeotis kori), and to determine the antibody response in birds with low levels of maternally derived immunity (MDI) after being given either one or five times the standard domestic fowl dose of a live PMV-1 La Sota vaccine intranasally. The results confirmed that PMV-1 antibodies were transferred to eggs and chicks derived from kori bustard hens immunized with inactivated vaccine 5 to 8 mo previously. The levels of inherited antibody in chicks varied considerably, with 21% of birds having no detectable antibodies at day 14 Chicks hatched from dams with high hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers had high titers of MDI. Mean antibody levels in seropositive chicks were log2 6.3 and log2 2.9 on days 14 and 42, respectively. The rate of decline of detectable antibodies (1 log2), was estimated to be 5.50 to 6.25 days and 12.25 days in 14 to 21 and 28 to 42 day old chicks, respectively. There was no significant HI antibody response in bustards given a primary vaccination of either one or five times the standard domestic fowl dose of live vaccine intranasally up to 3 wk post-vaccination. High levels of HI antibodies, log2 7.4, were detected in birds given a secondary dose of inactivated vaccine, but not in birds given a secondary dose of live vaccine at 2 wk post-vaccination.