Falco 27 - International Wildlife Consultants Ltd.
Falco 27 - International Wildlife Consultants Ltd. Falco 27 - International Wildlife Consultants Ltd.
What’s new in the literatureTreatment of bilateral corneal ulceration ina Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) using 360degree conjunctival flaps.Park, F.J. & Gill, JH. Australian Veterinary Journal83. 2005. 547- 549.A wild Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) waspresented with extensive bilateral fluoresceinpositive corneal damage. Local therapy and bilateraltarsorrhaphies resulted in slow improvement over5 weeks. When bilateral 360 degree conjunctivalflaps were used subsequently, healing proceededmore rapidly over the next 8 weeks. Although bulbarconjunctival flaps have been reported as difficult inbirds due to their small size and relatively immobilebulbar conjunctiva, 360 degree conjunctival flaps madefrom palpebral rather than bulbar conjunctiva werefound to be technically feasible in a larger bird speciessuch as the Peregrine Falcon.Characterization of a new species ofadenovirus in falcons.Schrenzel, M., Oaks, J.L., Rotstein, D., Maalouf, G.,Snook, E., Sandfort, C. & Rideout, B. Journal ofClinical Microbiology 43. 2005. 3402- 3413In 1996, a disease outbreak occurred at a captive breedingfacility in Idaho, causing anorexia, dehydration,and diarrhea or sudden death in 72 of 110 Northernaplomado falcons (Falco femoralis septentrionalis)from 9 to 35 days of age and in 6 of 102 peregrinefalcons (Falco peregrinus) from 14 to 25 days ofage. Sixty-two Northern aplomado and six peregrinefalcons died. Epidemiologic analyses indicated apoint source epizootic, horizontal transmission, andincreased relative risk associated with cross-speciesbrooding of eggs. Primary lesions in affected birds wereinclusion body hepatitis, splenomegaly, and enteritis.The etiology in all mortalities was determined bymolecular analyses to be a new species of adenovirusdistantly related to the group I avian viruses, serotypes1 and 4, Aviadenovirus. In situ hybridization andPCR demonstrated that the virus was epitheliotropicand lymphotropic and that infection was systemic inthe majority of animals. Adeno-associated virus wasalso detected by PCR in most affected falcons, but noother infectious agents or predisposing factors werefound in any birds. Subsequent to the 1996 epizootic,a similar disease caused by the same adenovirus wasfound over a 5-year period in orange-breasted falcons(Falco deiroleucus), teita falcons (Falco fasciinucha), amerlin (Falco columbarius), a Vanuatu peregrine falcon(Falco peregrinus nesiotes), and gyrfalcon X peregrinefalcon hybrids (Falco rusticolus/peregrinus) that diedin Wyoming, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and California.24These findings indicate that this newly recognizedadenovirus is widespread in western and midwesternNorth America and can be a primary pathogen indifferent falcon species.Isolation and epidemiology of falconadenovirus.Oaks, J.L., Schrenzel, M., Rideout, B. & Sandfort,C. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 43. 2005. 3414-3420.An adenovirus was detected by electron microscopyin tissues from falcons that died during an outbreakof inclusion body hepatitis and enteritis that affectedneonatal Northern aplomado (Falco femoralisseptentrionalis) and peregrine (Falco peregrinusanatum) falcons. Molecular characterization hasidentified the falcon virus as a new member of theaviadenovirus group (M. Schrenzel, J. L. Oaks, D.Rotstein, G. Maalouf, E. Snook, C. Sandfort, and B.Rideout, J. Clin. Microbiol. 43:3402-3413, 2005).In this study, the virus was successfully isolated andpropagated in peregrine falcon embryo fibroblasts, inwhich it caused visible and reproducible cytopathology.Testing for serum neutralizing antibodies foundthat infection with this virus was limited almostexclusively to falcons. Serology also found that wildand captive peregrine falcons had high seropositivityrates of 80% and 100%, respectively, although clinicaldisease was rarely reported in this species. Thesedata implicate peregrine falcons as the natural hostand primary reservoir for the virus. Other species ofNorth American falcons, including aplomado falcons,had lower seropositivity rates of 43 to 57%. Falconspecies of tropical and/or island origin were uniformlyseronegative, although deaths among adults of thesespecies have been described, suggesting they arehighly susceptible. Chickens and quail were uniformlyseronegative and not susceptible to infection, indicatingthat fowl were not the source of infection. Based onthe information from this study, the primary controlof falcon adenovirus infections should be based onsegregation of carrier and susceptible falcon species.Salmonella isolates from wild birds andmammals in the Basque Country (Spain).Millan, J., Aduriz, G., Moreno, B., Juste, R.A. &Barral, M. Revue Scientifique et Technique-OfficeInternational des Epizooties 23. 2004. 905-911.The authors investigated the prevalence of Salmonellaspp. in 205 wild birds and mammals belonging to45 species during the years 2001 and 2002 in theBasque Country (Spain). Salmonella was isolated
from 16 (7.8%) animals. The prevalence was 8.5%(7/82) in birds, and 7.2% (9/123) in mammals. Nineserotypes, all of them belonging to the speciesSalmonella enterica, were identified: two isolates ofTyphimurium (from 1/3 griffon vultures [Gyps fulvus],and 1/5 sparrowhawks [Accipiter nisus]); one of 6,14:z4, z23: (subsp. houtenae, 1/1 common kestrel [Falcotinnunculus]); one of Muenchen (1/1 captive Harris’shawk [Parabuteo unicinctus]); two of Enteritidis (1/5tawny owls [Strix aluco], and 1/14 foxes [Vulpesvulpes]); one of Give, Newport and Umbilo and oneuntyped islolate (4/22 badgers [Meles meles]); two ofWorthington and one of 38:IV:z35 (subsp. arizonae,3/40 wild boars [Sus scrofa]); and three other untypedisolates (1/1 northern fulmar [Fulmarus glacialis],1/11 buzzards [Buteo buteo], ¼ genets [Genettagenetta]). Salmonella isolation was never associatedwith macroscopic or microscopic lesions. The resultsof this study confirm the importance of wildlife as aSalmonella reservoir and as a potential risk for humansand livestock.Plasma B-esterase activities in Europeanraptors.Roy, C., Grolleau, G., Chamoulaud, S. & Riviere, J.L.Journal of Wildlife Diseases 41. 2005. 184-208.B-esterases are serine hydrolases composed ofcholinesterases, including acetylcholinesterase (AChE)and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and carboxylesterase(CbE). These esterases, found in blood plasma, areinhibited by organophosphorus (OP) and carbamate(CB) insecticides and can be used as nondestructivebiomarkers of exposure to anticholinesteraseinsecticides. Furthermore, B-esterases are involvedin detoxification of these insecticides. In order toestablish the level of these enzymes and to havereference values for their normal activities, total plasmacholinesterase (ChE), AChE and BchE activities, andplasma CbE activity were determined in 729 Europeanraptors representing 20 species, four families, and twoorders. The diurnal families of the falconiforme orderwere represented by Accipitridae and Falconidae andthe nocturnal families of the Strigiforme order byTytonidae and Strigidae. Intraspecies differences incholinesterase activities according to sex and/or age wereinvestigated in buzzards (Buteo buteo), sparrowhawks(Accipiter nisus), kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), barnowls (Tyto alba), and tawny owls (Strix aluco). Sexrelateddifferences affecting ChE and AchE activitieswere observed in young kestrels (2-3-mo-old) andage-related differences in kestrels (ChE and AChE),sparrowhawks (AChE), and tawny owls (ChE, AChE,and BChE). The interspecies analysis yielded a negativecorrelation between ChE activity and body mass takinginto account the relative contribution of AChE andBChE to ChE activity, with the exception of the honeybuzzard (Pernis apivorus). The lowest ChE activitieswere found in the two largest species, Bonelli’s eagle(Hieraaetus fasciatus) and Egyptian vulture (Neophronpercnopterus) belonging to the Accipitridae family.The highest ChE activities were found in the relativelysmall species belonging to the Tytonidae and Strigidaefamilies and in honey buzzard of the Accipitridaefamily. Species of the Accipitridae, Tytonidae, andStrigidae families were characterized by a BChEcontribution that dominated the total ChE activity,while in the species of the Falconidae family, AChEactivity dominated. With the exception of the barnowl, CbE activity (eserine-insensitive alpha-naphthylacetate esterase [alpha-NAE] activity) in all specieswas almost absent or very low. The values obtained inthis study for ChE, AChE, and BChE activities and theAChE:BChE ratios for buzzard, kestrel, barn owl, andtawny owl provide a good estimate of the normal valuesin free-living individuals of these European species.They can be used as a baseline to evaluate the effect ofanticholinesterase insecticides in the field.Suggestion’s to optimize recovery and releasewhile minimizing the disease risks associatedwith raptor rehabilitation.Zsivanovits, H.P. & Forbes, N.A. Journal of WildlifeRehabilitation 27. 2004. 4-15.When considering disease control, rehabilitationfacilities must work on three distinct levels: individualpatient care, welfare and disease control within thefacility, and environmental care. When wild injuredraptors are presented to rehabilitation facilities theseverity of existing injuries must be triaged, assessingthe bird’s potential for rehabilitation. Measures toidentify underlying disease and to prevent the spreadof infection or contamination within a facility and,in due course, back into the natural environment arecrucial. Quarantine and screening are the first lineof defense. Strict compartmentalization of captivebirds, disinfection, and sanitation are as importantin disease control as the design of aviaries and pestcontrol. A management plan should include preventivecare programs and a detailed record-keeping system.Minimizing stress contributes to a well-functioningimmune system. A species-appropriate, balanced dietmust be offered to avoid nutritional deficiencies.Houbara Population Estimates in Punjab,Pakistan (November 2000).Nadeem, M.S., Maan, M.A., Mahmood, T.& Ikram, R.M. Berkut. 14 (1). 2005. 71-75.In Punjab the total wintering habitat of Houbara Bustardis 32,300 km2. Surveys for Houbara population in25
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What’s new in the literatureTreatment of bilateral corneal ulceration ina Peregrine <strong>Falco</strong>n (<strong>Falco</strong> peregrinus) using 360degree conjunctival flaps.Park, F.J. & Gill, JH. Australian Veterinary Journal83. 2005. 547- 549.A wild Peregrine <strong>Falco</strong>n (<strong>Falco</strong> peregrinus) waspresented with extensive bilateral fluoresceinpositive corneal damage. Local therapy and bilateraltarsorrhaphies resulted in slow improvement over5 weeks. When bilateral 360 degree conjunctivalflaps were used subsequently, healing proceededmore rapidly over the next 8 weeks. Although bulbarconjunctival flaps have been reported as difficult inbirds due to their small size and relatively immobilebulbar conjunctiva, 360 degree conjunctival flaps madefrom palpebral rather than bulbar conjunctiva werefound to be technically feasible in a larger bird speciessuch as the Peregrine <strong>Falco</strong>n.Characterization of a new species ofadenovirus in falcons.Schrenzel, M., Oaks, J.L., Rotstein, D., Maalouf, G.,Snook, E., Sandfort, C. & Rideout, B. Journal ofClinical Microbiology 43. 2005. 3402- 3413In 1996, a disease outbreak occurred at a captive breedingfacility in Idaho, causing anorexia, dehydration,and diarrhea or sudden death in 72 of 110 Northernaplomado falcons (<strong>Falco</strong> femoralis septentrionalis)from 9 to 35 days of age and in 6 of 102 peregrinefalcons (<strong>Falco</strong> peregrinus) from 14 to 25 days ofage. Sixty-two Northern aplomado and six peregrinefalcons died. Epidemiologic analyses indicated apoint source epizootic, horizontal transmission, andincreased relative risk associated with cross-speciesbrooding of eggs. Primary lesions in affected birds wereinclusion body hepatitis, splenomegaly, and enteritis.The etiology in all mortalities was determined bymolecular analyses to be a new species of adenovirusdistantly related to the group I avian viruses, serotypes1 and 4, Aviadenovirus. In situ hybridization andPCR demonstrated that the virus was epitheliotropicand lymphotropic and that infection was systemic inthe majority of animals. Adeno-associated virus wasalso detected by PCR in most affected falcons, but noother infectious agents or predisposing factors werefound in any birds. Subsequent to the 1996 epizootic,a similar disease caused by the same adenovirus wasfound over a 5-year period in orange-breasted falcons(<strong>Falco</strong> deiroleucus), teita falcons (<strong>Falco</strong> fasciinucha), amerlin (<strong>Falco</strong> columbarius), a Vanuatu peregrine falcon(<strong>Falco</strong> peregrinus nesiotes), and gyrfalcon X peregrinefalcon hybrids (<strong>Falco</strong> rusticolus/peregrinus) that diedin Wyoming, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and California.24These findings indicate that this newly recognizedadenovirus is widespread in western and midwesternNorth America and can be a primary pathogen indifferent falcon species.Isolation and epidemiology of falconadenovirus.Oaks, J.L., Schrenzel, M., Rideout, B. & Sandfort,C. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 43. 2005. 3414-3420.An adenovirus was detected by electron microscopyin tissues from falcons that died during an outbreakof inclusion body hepatitis and enteritis that affectedneonatal Northern aplomado (<strong>Falco</strong> femoralisseptentrionalis) and peregrine (<strong>Falco</strong> peregrinusanatum) falcons. Molecular characterization hasidentified the falcon virus as a new member of theaviadenovirus group (M. Schrenzel, J. L. Oaks, D.Rotstein, G. Maalouf, E. Snook, C. Sandfort, and B.Rideout, J. Clin. Microbiol. 43:3402-3413, 2005).In this study, the virus was successfully isolated andpropagated in peregrine falcon embryo fibroblasts, inwhich it caused visible and reproducible cytopathology.Testing for serum neutralizing antibodies foundthat infection with this virus was limited almostexclusively to falcons. Serology also found that wildand captive peregrine falcons had high seropositivityrates of 80% and 100%, respectively, although clinicaldisease was rarely reported in this species. Thesedata implicate peregrine falcons as the natural hostand primary reservoir for the virus. Other species ofNorth American falcons, including aplomado falcons,had lower seropositivity rates of 43 to 57%. <strong>Falco</strong>nspecies of tropical and/or island origin were uniformlyseronegative, although deaths among adults of thesespecies have been described, suggesting they arehighly susceptible. Chickens and quail were uniformlyseronegative and not susceptible to infection, indicatingthat fowl were not the source of infection. Based onthe information from this study, the primary controlof falcon adenovirus infections should be based onsegregation of carrier and susceptible falcon species.Salmonella isolates from wild birds andmammals in the Basque Country (Spain).Millan, J., Aduriz, G., Moreno, B., Juste, R.A. &Barral, M. Revue Scientifique et Technique-Office<strong>International</strong> des Epizooties 23. 2004. 905-911.The authors investigated the prevalence of Salmonellaspp. in 205 wild birds and mammals belonging to45 species during the years 2001 and 2002 in theBasque Country (Spain). Salmonella was isolated
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