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The occurrence and pathogenicity of Serratospiculum tendo (Nematoda: Diplotriaenoidea) in birds of prey from southern Italy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 March 2015

M. Santoro*
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, ‘Sapienza - University of Rome’, P. le Aldo Moro n. 5, 00185Rome, Italy
N. D'Alessio
Affiliation:
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute n. 2, Portici, Italy
F. Di Prisco
Affiliation:
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute n. 2, Portici, Italy
J.M. Kinsella
Affiliation:
Helm West Laboratory, 2108 Hilda Avenue, Missoula, Montana59801, USA
L. Barca
Affiliation:
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute n. 2, Portici, Italy
B. Degli Uberti
Affiliation:
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute n. 2, Portici, Italy
B. Restucci
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
M. Martano
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
S. Troisi
Affiliation:
Istituto Di Gestione Della Fauna – Onlus (IGF), Via Mezzocannone n. 8, 80134Naples, Italy
G. Galiero
Affiliation:
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute n. 2, Portici, Italy
V. Veneziano
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
*

Abstract

The air sacs of free-ranging birds of prey (n= 652) from southern Italy, including 11 species of Accipitriformes and six of Falconiforms, were examined for infections with Serratospiculumtendo (Nematoda: Diplotriaenoidea). Of the 17 species of birds examined, 25 of 31 (80.6%) peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) from Calabria Region and a single northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) from Campania Region were infected with S. tendo, suggesting a strong host specificity for the peregrine falcon. The northern goshawk and 18 of 25 infected peregrine falcons showed cachexia and all infected birds had bone fractures. At gross examination, air sacculitis and pneumonia were the most common lesions in infected birds. Microscopically, the air-sac walls showed thickening of the smooth muscle cells, resulting in a papillary appearance, along with hyperplasia of the mesothelium and epithelium, and foci of plasma cell infiltration and macrophages associated with several embryonated eggs and adult parasites. Extensive areas of inflammation were found in the lungs, characterized by lymphocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts surrounding embryonated eggs. The northern goshawk also had detachment of the dextral lung with several necrotic foci. In this case, the death of the bird was directly attributed to S. tendo infection. Lesions and pathological changes observed here suggest that S. tendo can cause disease.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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