Perfil sanitário de rapinantes de cativeiro e recolhimento em um Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres, Belo Horizonte/MG

Abstract

Birds of prey are important ecologically for occupying the top of the food chain, although could theoretically concentrate and amplify potential pathogens, becoming carriers. The present study evaluates 180 birds of prey of the Orders Falconiformes (82), Strigiformes (84) and Cathartiformes (14) received at the Triage Centre for Wild Animals of Belo Horizonte, within a 21-month period between 2008 and 2010. Post-mortem examination, serology, parasitology, blood tests for hematozoa, and PCR for Chlamydophila psittaci (liver) or Plasmodium sp. (blood) were employed. Sera were tested for antibodies to infectious agents of statutory control or of economic relevance in commercial poultry. No sera was reactive for Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mg), except for one Coragyps atratus, representing 1.53% (1/65) of all sera tested, although reactive by the Mg rapid agglutination test, was negative by hemagglutination inhibition (HI). Two Caracara plancus, representing 3% (2/68) of Falconiformes tested serologically, showed antibody titers (16 and 32) to Newcastle disease virus by HI. Employing a previously described PCR protocol for Chlamydophila psittaci, none of the 95 examined liver samples, were tested positive. The tests for hemoparasites, as examined in blood smears (n=89) and spleen PCR (n=82), revealed 13.5% (12/89) and 8.5% (7/82) positive, respectively, for Haemoproteus. However, no clinical signs were observed suggesting hemoparasitism. One hundred and nine birds (42 Falconiformes, Strigiformes and 10 Cathartiformes 57) were evaluated at necropsy, and traumatic injuries resulting mostly of the interaction with human activity, were the main cause of admission and death of animals, characterized in 63.3% (69/109) necropsied birds. The most frequent traumatic disorders were fractures, as observed in 38.5% (42/109) of birds, and fractures of thoracic limbs were the most prevalent (57.1%). Helminth infections were observed in 11% (12/109) of cases, with nematodes found in 12.8% (14/109) of birds, cestodes in 1.8% (2/109), trematodes in 0, 9% (1/109) and acanthocephalans in 2.7% (3 / 109) of birds. Detected nematodes were Ascaridia sp., Porrocaecum sp. and Procyrnea mansioni in Rupornis magnirostris, filarid and spirurid of subfamily Spirurinae in Asio stygius, Hamatospiculum sp. and Streptocara pectinifera in Tyto alba, Physaloptera acuticauda in Leptodon cayanensis and Tetrameres sp. in Athene cunicularia. Cestodes were detected in Asio clamator and Rupornis magnirostris, and acantocephalans in Leptodon cayanensis and Asio clamator. As for ectoparasites, 9.2% (10/109) of birds had hippoboscids (Pseudolynchia spp.), 17.4% (19/109) were positive for Ornithonyssus sylviarum, in Asio clamator, Amblyomma cajennense was observed on one Tyto alba, and 10.1% (11/109) had Phthiraptera, including one individual of Strigiformes, six of Cathartiformes and four Falconiformes. Infection with Trichomonas spp. was observed in 9.1% (10/109) of birds and, Histomonas spp. in 6.4% (7/109), all being of order Strigiformes. Coccidioses were found in 9.1% (10/109) of birds, with. Sarcocystis spp. in Tyto alba the most frequent Apicomplexan parasite and host, affecting 70% (7/10) of Tyto alba. Mycotic granulomas were observed in 6.4% (7/109) of birds. The loss of habitat, urbanization and adaptation of prey in the urban environment appears to be causing varied impacts on raptor birds, and specimens are being sent to CETAS/BH in increasing numbers, victims of accidents or conflicts with the human population or activity, and species with more adaptable habits the most often received. Species of orders studied represent more than 20% of the species of the orders Falconiformes, Strigiformes and Cathartiformes cataloged in Brazil, all characterized by synanthropic habits. For reasons as yet unknown, owl was the group the most affected, accounting for 40% of the Brazilian raptor species found at triage