Avaliação dos níveis séricos de hormônios tireoidianos em araras (Ara spp) pelo método de quimioluminescência / Evaluation of serum levels of thyroid hormones in macaws (Ara spp) by chemiluminescence

Este trabalho investigou a eficiência do método de quimioluminescência para obtenção das concentrações séricas de hormônios tireoidianos em 23 exemplares de araras [Ara ararauna (n=12) e Ara chloropterus (n=11)], de ambos os sexos [machos (n=11) e fêmeas (n=12)], mantidas em cativeiro. Os valores de T4 total, T4 livre, T3 livre e TSH variaram, respectivamente, de 0,3 a 2,5µg/dL (média=0,94µg/dL), 0,11 a 0,46ɳg/dL (média=0,28ɳg/dL), 1,46 a 3,59pg/mL (média= 2,42pg/mL) e 0,01 a 0,12µUI/mL (média=0,04µUI/mL). Houve interação entre espécie e sexo (P<0,05) sobre as concentrações de T4 total: os machos possuem maiores valores do que as fêmeas de Ara ararauna, enquanto as fêmeas de Ara chloropterus dispõem de níveis mais altos do que os machos desta espécie. Efeito de sexo não foi observado (P>0,05) para os valores de T4 livre, T3 livre e TSH, mas o efeito de espécie foi constatado (P<0,05) para as concentrações de T3 livre. Neste caso, as concentrações de T3 livre são menores em Ara ararauna do que em Ara chloropterus. Os intervalos de referência obtidos sugerem que é possível mensurar as concentrações séricas de hormônios tireoidianos em araras pelo método de quimioluminescência, devendo-se considerar variações relevantes entre diferentes espécies e sexos.(AU)

This paper investigated the efficiency of chemiluminescence in obtaining serum concentrations of thyroid hormones in twenty-three macaws kept in captivity, from two sexes [male (n=10) and female (n=12)] and two species [Ara ararauna (n=12) and Ara chloropterus (n=11)]. Reference intervals for the hormones sampled were indicated and the effects of species and sex on these values were analyzed. Concentration values of total T4, free T4, free T3 and TSH varied respectively from 0,3 to 2,5µg/dL (average =0,94µg/dL), 0,11 - 0,46ɳg/dL (average = 0,28ɳg/dL), 3,59 - 1,46pg/mL (average =2,42pg/mL), and 0,01 - 0,12µUI/mL (average= 0,04µUI/mL). There was interaction between species and sex (P<0.05) on total T4 concentrations. Males had higher values than females in Ara ararauna, while females had higher values than males in Ara chloropterus. Sex effect was not observed (P>0.05) for concentrations of free T4, free T3 and TSH, but species effect was observed (P<0.05) for free T3 concentrations. In this case, concentrations of free T3 were lower in Ara ararauna than in Ara chloropterus. The results of this study suggest that it is possible to measure serum concentration of thyroid hormones in macaws by means of chemiluminescence method, as long as relevant variations between different species and sexes are taken into account.(AU)

Isolation of Salmonella spp. in captive Psittaciformes from zoos and a commercial establishment of Fortaleza, Brazil / Isolamento de Salmonella spp. em Psittaciformes de zoológicos e estabelecimento comercial de Fortaleza, Brasil

This study showed a low prevalence of Salmonella spp. in captive psittacines from zoos and a commercial establishment of Fortaleza. None of the isolated serotypes (S. Lexington, S. Saintpaul and S. Newport) have yet been reported in Amazona aestiva, Ara chloroptera or Melopsittacus undulatus. However, the fact that most birds presented negative for Salmonella spp. may not imply the absence of this pathogen in these birds, since the intermittent excretion is a well-known characteristic of this microorganism...

A manutenção de aves em cativeiro reúne condições que favorecem a disseminação de doenças infecciosas, sendo a Salmonella uma dessas doenças infecciosas que acomete os psitacídeos. Portanto o objetivo do presente estudo foi isolar e identificar Salmonella spp. em Psittaciformes mantidos em criatórios comerciais e conservacionistas da Região Metropolitana de Fortaleza. Para o estudo, foram coletados swabs cloacais de 182 psitacídeos clinicamente sadios. Os resultados mostraram que três psitacídeos avaliados (1,65%) foram positivos: Amazona aestiva (Salmonella Lexington), Ara chloroptera (Salmonella Saintpaul) e Melopsittacus undulatus (Salmonella Newport). De acordo com a literatura científica, não há registro desses sorotipos em psitacídeos. Esta pesquisa evidenciou uma baixa prevalência de Salmonella spp. em Psittaciformes mantidos em criatórios comerciais e conservacionistas da Região Metropolitana de Fortaleza...

Diagnosis of Avian bornavirus infection in psittaciformes by serum antibody detection and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay using feather calami.

Avian bornavirus (ABV) is the causative agent of proventricular dilatation disease (PDD), a highly devastating and contagious disease of psittacines (parrots and parakeets), which has resulted in the death of many captive birds. Accurate diagnosis of bornavirus infection is therefore important for the identification and isolation of infected birds. The current study showed that nonvascular contour (chest) feather calami provide a ready and minimally invasive source of RNA for the detection of ABV by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Storage of the feathers at room temperature for at least a month did not affect the results. Serological analysis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that identification of anti-bornaviral nucleoprotein P40 antibodies can identify many birds with a past or present infection. The presence of anti-avian bornaviral P24 phosphoprotein and P16 matrix protein antibodies was quite variable, rendering these antibodies less useful for diagnosis of ABV infection. The significance of the present findings is that the use of nonvascular feathers as a source of RNA allows sample collection under conditions where storage of other samples would be difficult. Serum detection by ELISA of anti-P40 antibodies allows the identification of infected birds when RT-PCR fails.

Serotyping of chlamydial clinical isolates from birds with monoclonal antibodies.

Forty-nine avian chlamydial strains, isolated mainly from various regions in France and from different species of birds, were analyzed and tested with a panel of nine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) by the indirect microimmunofluorescence test (MIF). The MAbs included five serovar-specific MAbs, three MAbs raised against Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia pecorum ovine strains, and one genus-specific MAb. Of the 49 isolates, 41 came from parrots or budgerigars; the rest were from pigeons, a canary, a duck, and a dove. Two additional strains were from unknown hosts. Most of these avian strains were successfully serotyped according to their reactions with five serovar-specific MAbs by the MIF test. The serovars of 44 strains were determined: 39 were of serovar A, 3 of serovar B, and 2 of serovar E. The remaining five isolates were unclassified because they did not react with any of five serovar-specific MAbs but did react with genus MAb or the MAbs produced with ovine strains. The five unclassified isolates (two from budgerigars, two from Gabon gray parrots, and one from a duck) indicate that one or more additional serovars of C. psittaci exist in birds. The heterogeneity within each subgroup was evident because the 49 avian isolates gave 10 subgroups when the results of the five serovar-specific MAbs were combined with results from the three MAbs produced with ovine strains. This heterogeneity of the serovar isolates, as shown by the combination of MAbs, could provide strain markers very useful for epidemiologic studies.

Production of a rabbit anti-cockatiel immunoglobulin G and characterization of its cross-reactivities with immunoglobulin G of other psittacine species.

The purpose of this work was to produce rabbit anti-cockatiel immunoglobulin G (IgG) and compare its cross-reactivity with sera from eight other psittacine birds: Quaker parakeet, budgerigar, green-wing macaw, blue-fronted Amazon parrot, eclectus parrot, African grey parrot, Patagonian conure, Moluccan cockatoo. Cockatiel IgG did not bind to protein A or G; therefore, these proteins could not be used in column chromatography to isolate the IgG. A combination of serum IgG precipitation by ammonium sulfate and yolk IgG extraction from egg was loaded in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel upon which the IgG was resolved by electrophoresis. The resolved IgG in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel was stained with Coomassie blue, cut, crushed in phosphate-buffered saline, and injected into rabbits. The rabbit anti-cockatiel IgG produced in this way reacted with a single protein in gel immunodiffusion assay with all nine psittacine bird sera but not with those of chicken and ostrich. Immunoelectrophoresis confirmed the cross-reactivity of different psittacine sera with the anti-cockatiel IgG serum but not with ostrich and chicken sera. This antiserum detected antibody responses in sera from cockatiels vaccinated against chlamydial major outer membrane protein in an immunoblot assay.

Survey of clinical psittacine bird sera for Salmonella typhimurium agglutinins.

Of 2407 serum samples from various kinds of psittacine birds submitted for Chlamydia serology, 2343 (97.4%) were negative, 25 (1.0%) were equivocal, and 39 (1.6%) were positive for Salmonella typhimurium agglutinins. In additional serum samples from two groups of African gray parrots, the prevalence of agglutinins was 0.0% (0/38) in the Timneh variety and 24.0% (6/25) in the Congo variety. In sera from one macaw, one cockatoo, and one Amazon parrot, which were negative for chlamydial antibody activity, there were strongly reactive agglutinins for S. typhimurium. Two Amazon parrots had antibody activity against Salmonella and Chlamydia antigens.

Parrot breeder's lung: first case report in China.

The authors report the first case of parrot breeder's lung in China and the study of its immunology, respiratory physiology, as well as pathology. The main characteristics of this disease are progressive dyspnea after contacting parrots, patchy or reticular shadows in the lower lung fields on chest X-ray, the presence of alveolitis, accompanied by pulmonary interstitial fibrosis as demonstrated in lung biopsy, restrictive or mixed ventilation disorders with reduction of diffusing capacity and lung compliance. The results of specific ring precipitation test and counter immunoelectrophoresis were helpful in diagnosis. The importance of early diagnosis and treatment is also discussed.

Nasal allergy to avian antigens.

This study describes the case of a patient who developed symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis on exposure to budgerigars and parrots. An IgE-mediated allergy to budgerigar, parrot and pigeon antigens was demonstrated using both in-vivo challenge tests (skin and nasal provocation tests) and in-vitro investigations (radio-allergo-sorbent test, histamine release test). The study shows that the development of nasal disease can be associated with allergy to avian antigens.

Serological evaluation of some psittaciformes for budgerigar fledgling disease virus.

Breeding psittaciform birds (psittacines) from three geographically separated aviaries experiencing fledgling mortality were monitored during 1983 and 1984 for specific serum antibody to budgerigar fledgling disease virus (BFDV) using a fluorescent-antibody virus-neutralization test. Neither the time nor the extent of exposure to the virus was known. Serological titers were positive in 45% of birds sampled from Aviary 1, 25% from Aviary 2, and 11% from Aviary 3. Several species of psittacine birds within each aviary were serologically positive for BFDV. The results indicated that a papovavirus similar to BFDV appears to infect a wide range of captive adult psittacine birds. Macaws (Ara sp. and Anodorhynchus sp.) were evaluated for distribution of infection. Each species within these two genera showed positive serological titers to BFDV. Three groups of birds showed a decrease in serum antibody titer to BFDV at 1 and 2.5 months after the first sampling. Positive titers decreased from 66 to 20% for one group and from 60 to 50% for a second group in 1 month, and they decreased from 42 to 17% for a third group in 2.5 months.

Immunization against psittacine pox.

Pox virus isolated from psittacine birds was used as a vaccine in trials with love birds (Agapornis roseicollis). The vaccine was applied by wing-web puncture using single- and double-needle applicators. Immunity was effective against challenge with virulent psittacine pox virus administered via the feather follicle/thigh. When unvaccinated contact control birds were placed with the vaccinated individuals immediately post-vaccination, virus spread was evident. However, susceptible birds placed with vaccinated ones at 27 days postvaccination remained uninfected for 11 weeks. The importance of a high vaccine virus titer was observed.

Respiratory tract allergy to household pet birds.

Pet birds may be as great an allergenic problem as cats and dogs. Some of the estimated 25 to 30 million pet birds in the United States may cause such allergic symptoms as nocturnal wheezy cough, asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis or other manifestations during a short or long period of induction. Most of the 62,000 exotic birds imported each month are members of the psittacine or parrot family. Such birds may be particularly troublesome in that they pollute the home environment by antigenic discharges from their integument.

Precipitins to different avaian serum antigens in bird fancier's lung and coeliac disease.

Precipitins to avian serum antigens have been found in the sera of bird fanciers and, until now, they have been considered strong supporting evidence for a clinical diagnosis of bird fancier's lung (BFL). We now report that 35% of patients with coeliac disease, none of whom had recently kept a bird, had precipitins against an avian serum antigen common to all the avian species tested, but which was distinct from the antigens usually associated with BFL. This antigen was a component of hen egg yolk but not of bird droppings. In patients with BFL the antibody response results from inhaled antigens in the bird droppings, whereas the antibody response in patients with coeliac disease probably results from eating uncooked or soft-boiled eggs.

Hypersensitive lung disease due to avian antigens.

Five patients, three exposed to budgerigars (parakeets) and two to chickens, had immunological lung reactions. A Type III hypersensitivity response likely accounts for the pulmonary alteration. The inflammatory exudate accumulates within the alveolar walls and adjacent lobular septa. Radiologically, this is manifested as reticular linear densities and/or multiple small nodules, the interstitial pattern. With spillage into the distal air spaces, an acinar pattern emerges. As this disease is reversible in its early stages, increased awareness and proper management may lead to a reduction in the number of patients who are subsequently diagnosed as having "idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis".