ABSTRACT
Introducción: Chlamydophila psittaci es una bacteria zoonótica e intracelular estricta, que provoca la psitacosis humana y su principal hospedero son las aves psitácidas. La cotorra argentina es un ave psitácida nativa de Sudamérica y actualmente considerada una especie invasora en 19 países, incluyendo Chile. Objetivo: Determinar positividad contra C. psittaci en muestras de suero y torulados de cotorras argentinas de vida libre capturadas en la Región Metropolitana de Chile. Métodos: Se analizaron 95 muestras de suero de pichones e individuos adultos de cotorras argentinas, a través de una prueba de ELISA indirecto utilizando un kit comercial. Posteriormente, se analizaron 40 tórulas nasotraqueales y cloacales de individuos adultos a través de una RPC en tiempo real específica para C. psittaci. Resultados: Se detectaron anticuerpos en muestras de suero de cinco individuos adultos de cotorras argentinas (n = 68), mientras que ninguno de los pichones analizados fue seropositivo (n = 27). Todas las muestras analizadas a través de RPC en tiempo real fueron negativas. Conclusión: Estos resultados demuestran por primera vez en Chile la exposición a C. psittaci en cotorras argentinas de vida libre, lo cual puede representar un riesgo importante para la transmisión de este patógeno a poblaciones humanas y animales.
Background: Chlamydophila psittaci is a zoonotic obligate intracellular bacterium that causes the human psittacosis, and its main host are psittacine birds. The monk parakeet is a psittacine bird native to South America, currently being considered an invasive species in 19 countries, including Chile. Aim: To determine positivity to C. psittaci in serum samples and swabs from free-ranging monk parakeets captured in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. Methods: Ninety-five serum samples from nestling chicks and adult monk parakeets were tested using an indirect ELISA test kit. Cloacal and nasotracheal swabs from 40 adult parakeets were further analyzed by C. psittaci-specific real-time PCR. Results: We found antibody titers in sera of five adult monk parakeets (n = 68) while none of the nestlings were seropositive (n = 27). All samples tested with real-time PCR were negative. Conclusions: Our results demónstrate for the first time in Chile the exposure to C. psittaci in free-ranging monk parakeets which may represent a significant risk of pathogen transmission to human and animal populations.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Myiopsitta monachus is an invasive psittacine with wide distribution due to the pet trade. Its large communal nests and synanthropic nature contribute to its successful colonization of cities, from where it seems to be expanding in range and numbers. This is relevant with regard to pathogens that invasive species may harbor, especially when host populations thrive. We aimed to identify an abundant mite found in invasive monk parakeet chicks that had been collected in Santiago during 2017 and 2018. Through morphological and molecular identification of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene, we confirmed the presence of Ornithonyssus bursa. This was the first report of this mite in Chile. This mite is common in native and invasive monk parakeet populations and may affect other birds, including domestic fowl. Further, this mite bites people and can be a potential vector of pathogens such as bacteria or viruses. We conclude that this parasite was likely introduced with the parakeet and discuss possible ecological, health and economic consequences of this new potential pest.
Resumo Myiopsitta monachus é um psitacídeo invasor amplamente distribuído devido ao tráfico de animais selvagens. Os grandes ninhos comunitários construídos e sua condição de espécies sinantrópicas contribuem para a colonização bem-sucedida das cidades, onde parece estar expandindo sua distribuição e número de indivíduos. Isso é relevante, quando se trata de patógenos que os invasores podem abrigar, especialmente quando as populações hospedeiras prosperam. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar um ácaro abundante, encontrado em filhotes de periquitos-monge introduzidos em Santiago, Chile, coletados durante 2017 e 2018. Por meio da identificação morfológica e molecular do gene do RNA ribossômico 18S, foi confirmada a presença de Ornithonyssus bursa, sendo o primeiro registro para o Chile. Esse ácaro é comum em populações nativas e introduzidas de periquitos-monge e pode afetar outras aves, incluindo aves domésticas. Além disso, esse ácaro pode picar pessoas e pode ser um potencial vetor de patógenos, como bactérias ou vírus. Conclui-se que esse parasita provavelmente foi introduzido com o periquito e foram discutidas as possíveis consequências ecológicas de saúde e econômicas dessa nova praga em potencial.
Subject(s)
Animals , Parrots , Mite Infestations/veterinary , Mites , Parakeets , Chile , CitiesABSTRACT
RESUMEN Algunas especies del género Espeletia sp. (Asteraceae) son afectados por hongos fitopatógenos e insectos en páramos de los Andes del Norte, amenazando su permanencia y la prestación de servicios que se les atribuye, como la regulación del ciclo hídrico. La escaza información sobre la afectación en el páramo de Paja Blanca (Nariño, Colombia), dificulta la comprensión de la dinámica del fenómeno y la formulación de estrategias de manejo. El objetivo de esta investigación fue identificar cambios en la composición de las comunidades de insectos asociados a E. pycnophylla durante el declive de las poblaciones de frailejones y evaluar si reflejan modificaciones en los hongos, asociados a dichos insectos. Para ello, se colectaron insectos en plantas de E. pycnophylla sanas y afectadas, a los que se aplicó índices ecológicos, para identificar posibles modificaciones en la diversidad y la composición; además, se aislaron e identificaron morfológica y molecularmente hongos, a partir de estructuras corporales de los insectos. Como resultado, se identificó una diversidad de insectos considerable y que no hay modificación en su composición de insectos entre los dos estados de frailejón analizados. Se logró aislar hongos, como Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis sp., Epicoccum nigrum, Cladosporium sp., a partir de estructuras de los géneros de insectos Neomyopites sp., Diabrotica sp., Bradysia sp. y Dyscolus sp. Este estudio aporta información sobre la entomofauna presente en E. pycnopylla del páramo de Paja Blanca y hongos asociados a estructuras corporales, como el canal alimentario y aparato bucal de los insectos.
ABSTRACT Some species of the genus Espeletia sp. (Asteraceae) are affected by phytopathogenic fungi and insects in the paramos of the Northern Andes, threatening their permanence and the provision of services attributed to them such as the regulation of the water cycle. The scarce information about the impact on the Paja Blanca páramo (Nariño, Colombia) makes it difficult to understand the dynamics of the phenomenon and the formulation of management strategies. The goal of this research was to identify changes in the composition of the insect communities associated to E. pycnophylla during the decline of the frailejon populations and to evaluate if these reflect modifications in the fungi associated with those insects. For this, insects were collected in healthy and affected E. pycnophylla plants to which ecological indices were applied to identify possible changes in diversity and composition, Also fungi were isolated and identified morphologically and molecularly from body structures of insects. As result, a considerable diversity of insects was identified and no modification in their composition of insects between the two states of frailejón were found. It was possible to isolate fungi such as Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis sp., Epicoccum nigrum, Cladosporium sp. from structures of the insect genera Neomyopites sp., Diabrotica sp., Bradysia sp. and Dyscolus sp. This study provides information about the entomofauna present in E. pycnopylla from the Paja Blanca páramo and fungi associated with body structures such as the alimentary canal and the oral system of insects.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to find out factors that are needed to be improved for the Buddhist training environment of Sramanera·Sramanerika monks, who have been newly adapted for their life style after becoming a monk, and to provide basic data for the development of the standard diet in Buddhist temples. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was applied to 365 Sramanera·Sramanerika monks at 11 Buddhist monk universities. The questionnaire was designed to investigate their dietary habits, dietary evaluation, satisfaction of food service, and food preferences. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 52.6% men, and 47.4% women. The subjects who had a vegetarian diet before joining the Buddhist priesthood were 27.7% women, and 13.5% men (p<0.01). 42.2% of the total subjects felt that they are healthy now and 19.4% felt weak. The most difficulty of dieting adaptation as soon as entering the priesthood was the strict diet rules (42.9%). The subjects considered health or nutrition (40.0%) highly when having meals. 94.8% women, 84.1% men ate breakfast every day (p<0.001). Women (55.4%) frequently ate snacks more than men (26.6%) (p<0.001). The results of the dietary evaluation indicated that the intake of milk, soy milk or dairy products and beans or tofu received lower than 3 points and women had lower point result than men (p<0.001). Foods with higher preference were grilled mushrooms, grilled laver, miso stew, sweet and sour mushrooms, steamed tofu with seasoning. CONCLUSIONS: Women were more interested in their health than men but they also required to improve the nutritional eating habits. It appeared that the lower intake rates of the calcium containing food (milk and dairy), and proteins (beans and tofu) could result in nutritional imbalance. Therefore, it is necessary to offer food based on the standard menu plan with consideration given to their food preferences in order to maintain their health and desirable dietary habits.