Diagnóstico de situação dos animais silvestres recebidos nos CETAS brasileiros e Chlamydophila psittaci em papagaios (Amazona aestiva) no CETAS de Belo Horizonte, MG

Abstract

Efforts on preventing wildlife trade in Brazil have generated large numbers of rescued animals that are sent to wildlife rehabilitation centers (CETAS). However, stress, superpopulation and lack of biosecurity have been causing a diversity of problems. The objectives of this study were, to elaborate a diagnosis of rescued wildlife, with emphasis on identification of avian species, sent to all Brazilian CETAS, and to determine the occurrence of avian chlamydiosis in CETAS of Belo Horizonte, MG. Were counted 234,595 specimens, being mos birds, coming primarily from confiscations in the Southeast and Northeast regions. Orders received included as the most frequent were Passeriformes, Psittaciformes, and Columbiformes and families Emberezidae, Thraupidae, Psittacidae, Icteridae and Cardinalidae. The saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola), the green-winged Saltator (Saltator similis), the yellow-bellied seedeater (Sporophila nigricolis), the double-collared seedeater (Sporophila caerulescens) and ultramarine grosbeak (Cyanoloxia brissonii) were the predominant species. Approximately 25% of animals received in CETAS were rescued in urban environment or voluntarily delivery to institutions. Rescued animals were principally release into the wild (52%), died (24%) or destined to captivity (7%). For assessment of avian chlamidiosis, 212 psittacines were necropsied, evaluated for gross and histopathological findings and tested for C. psittaci DNA in livers (PCR). Of the total, 152 (71%) were positive for C. psittaci by PCR, most in a state of cachexia. Poor body condition, air sacculitis and hepato and splenomegaly with necrotic foci were the most common post mortem findings. The major microscopic lesions were inflammatory infiltrates and foci of necrosis in the liver and increased plasma cell differentiation in the spleen. Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were identified in 52% of hepatic and splenic tissues examined. The genetic sequence showed that only the genotype A was circulating among the population studied. The wildlife traffic impact on the conservation of biodiversity, the implications of reintroduction and the importance of diseases, especially avian chlamydiosis, in wildlife and human health are discussed.