Determination of the hematological values and detection of Chlamydophila psittaci antibodies in captive Palawan Hill Mynah at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center

Abstract

Background: Gracula religiosa palawanensis is a subspecies of the avian species Gracula religiosa under the order Passeriformes. Birds belonging to this order are famously and distinctly known for their unique ability to imitate sounds. The particular subspecies is endemic to the Philippines, solely found in the elevated points of Balabac, Busuanga, Culion, and the Mainland Palawan. Aims and Objectives: Being indigenous to the Philippines, the initial reports of hematological values and the common diseases of this subspecies are significant to be determined and studied. The study aimed to provide an initial report on the hematological values and to detect the presence of antibodies against Chlamydophila psittaci in the blood serum of Palawan hill mynah held captive at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center. Materials and Methods: Captive birds at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center in the Philippines were used as samples. Blood was collected and subjected to hematology and serum analysis. Results: The packed cell volume (PCV), total red blood cell (RBC) count, RBC indices, hemoglobin concentration, total and differential white blood counts, and total thrombocyte counts were accounted for the hematological values of the three sampled G. religiosa palawanensis. Values of 45.00 ± 3.00%, 3.61 ± 0.20 × 1000000 cells/mm3, 13.47 ± 0.78 g/dL, and 14.86 ± 2.05 × 1000 cells/mm3 were, respectively, observed for the PCV, total RBC counts, hemoglobin concentration, and total white blood cell (WBC) count. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), MCH concentration, and mean cell volume values, the RBC indices, were found to be 37.35 ± 2.40 pg, 29.77 ± 2.08%, and 126.05 ± 14.76 femtoliter, respectively. The following showed the differential WBC count with their mean relative values and their mean absolute values enclosed in parentheses: 60.00 ± 8.00 % (8.95 ± 2.19 × 1000 cells/mm3), 1.00 ± 1.00 % (0.15 ± 0.16 × 1000 cells/mm3), 1.00 ± 1.00 % (0.20 ± 0.10 × 1000 cells/mm3), 37.00 ± 8.00% (5.33 ± 0.60 × 1000 cells/mm3), and 0.00 ± 1.00 % (0.05 ± 0.09 × 1000 cells/mm3). The values correspond to the heterophil, eosinophil basophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts accordingly. The presence of C. psittaci was observed from the avian specimens but was merely observed at low concentrations, having a low positive ImmunoComb® reading. Conclusion: The blood values of the Palawan Hill Mynah do not differ from their close relatives. Furthermore, the presence of Chlamydophila psittaci may show the previous infection to the bacteria.