Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic intracellular protozoan parasite of worldwide distribution that infects many species of warm-blooded animals, including birds. To date, there is scant information about the seropositivity of T. gondii and the risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in wild bird populations. In the present study, T. gondii infection was evaluated on sera obtained from 1079 wild birds belonging to 56 species (including Falconiformes (n = 610), Strigiformes (n = 260), Ciconiiformes (n = 156), Gruiformes (n = 21), and other orders (n = 32), from different areas of Spain. Antibodies to T. gondii (modified agglutination test, MAT titer ≥1∶25) were found in 282 (26.1%, IC95%:23.5–28.7) of the 1079 birds. This study constitute the first extensive survey in wild birds species in Spain and reports for the first time T. gondii antibodies in the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), short-toed snake-eagle (Circaetus gallicus), Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus), Western marsh-harrier (Circus aeruginosus), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), long-eared owl (Asio otus), common scops owl (Otus scops), Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), white stork (Ciconia ciconia), grey heron (Ardea cinerea), common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus); in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) “vulnerable” Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti), lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) and great bustard (Otis tarda); and in the IUCN “near threatened” red kite (Milvus milvus). The highest seropositivity by species was observed in the Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) (68.1%, 98 of 144). The main risk factors associated with T. gondii seropositivity in wild birds were age and diet, with the highest exposure in older animals and in carnivorous wild birds. The results showed that T. gondii infection is widespread and can be at a high level in many wild birds in Spain, most likely related to their feeding behaviour.
Highlights
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic intracellular protozoan parasite of worldwide distribution [1,2]
The present study included a wide range of wild bird species and a high number of analyzed samples supplements the existing data on seropositivity of T. gondii in wild birds worldwide, and adds numerous new species of wild birds to the possible intermediate host list for T. gondii infection
This is the first report of T. gondii antibodies in griffon vulture, short-toed snakeeagle, Bonelli’s eagle, golden eagle, bearded vulture, osprey, Montagu’s harrier, Western marsh-harrier, peregrine falcon, longeared owl, common scops owl, Eurasian spoonbill, white stork, grey heron, common moorhen, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ‘‘vulnerable’’ Spanish imperial eagle, lesser kestrel and great bustard; and the IUCN ‘‘near threatened’’ red kite and it is the first survey of these wild bird species in Spain
Summary
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic intracellular protozoan parasite of worldwide distribution [1,2]. Humans and virtually all warm-blooded species, including birds, can be intermediate hosts and can become infected by ingestion of food and water contaminated with sporulated T. gondii oocysts, by consumption of tissue cysts in infected animal tissues, or congenitally [1,2]. Toxoplasma gondii infection is prevalent in many avian species including poultry, game and other species in the wild [3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. The investigation of T. gondii infection in avian scavengers might allow the assessment of the possibility of contact with intermediate hosts and the associated risk for public health [12]
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