Dataset Information

Trichomonas stableri n. sp., an agent of trichomonosis in Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata monilis).

ABSTRACT: Trichomonas gallinae is a ubiquitous flagellated protozoan parasite, and the most common etiologic agent of epidemic trichomonosis in columbid and passerine species. In this study, free-ranging Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata monilis) in California (USA) were found to be infected with trichomonad protozoa that were genetically and morphologically distinct from T. gallinae. In microscopic analysis, protozoa were significantly smaller in length and width than T. gallinae and were bimodal in morphology. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS1/5.8S/ITS2, rpb1, and hydrogenosomal Fe-hydrogenase regions revealed that the protozoan shares an ancestor with Trichomonas vaginalis, the sexually-transmitted agent of trichomoniasis in humans. Clinical and pathologic features of infected birds were similar to infections with T. gallinae. Evidence presented here strongly support taxonomical distinction of this parasite, which we hereby name Trichomonas stableri n. sp. This work contributes to a growing body of evidence that T. gallinae is not the sole etiologic agent of avian trichomonosis, and that the incorporation of molecular tools is critical in the investigation of infectious causes of mortality in birds.

SUBMITTER: Girard YA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4047957 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Trichomonas stableri n. sp., an agent of trichomonosis in Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata monilis).

Girard Yvette A YA Rogers Krysta H KH Gerhold Richard R Land Kirkwood M KM Lenaghan Scott C SC Woods Leslie W LW Haberkern Nathan N Hopper Melissa M Cann Jeff D JD Johnson Christine K CK

International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife 20131228 1

Trichomonas gallinae is a ubiquitous flagellated protozoan parasite, and the most common etiologic agent of epidemic trichomonosis in columbid and passerine species. In this study, free-ranging Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata monilis) in California (USA) were found to be infected with trichomonad protozoa that were genetically and morphologically distinct from T. gallinae. In microscopic analysis, protozoa were significantly smaller in length and width than T. gallinae an ...[more]

PMID: 24918075

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Project description:Avian trichomonosis is an upper digestive tract disease of birds typically caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae. In California (U.S.A), trichomonosis is known to cause periodic epidemics in the Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata monolis), a migratory upland game bird. We summarize the mortality events that occurred during winter 2014-2015 including the duration, estimated mortality, pathology, and genetic identity of infecting parasites. Increased mortality was reported from locations in 25 counties between November 2014 and June 2015. Based on reports, carcasses received, wildlife rehabilitation center admissions, site visits, and regular monitoring by local personnel, total mortality was estimated at 18,440. At necropsy, birds had multiple coalescing lesions in the oral cavity involving the upper palate and/or around the tongue and glottis, esophagus, crop, and/or proventriculus. Birds collected from Contra Costa (63.9%; 30/47); Marin (75.0%; 6/8), San Mateo (46.7%; 14/30), and Santa Clara (35.0%; 37/106) counties were more likely to have lesions extending into their head involving muscle, sinuses, ear canals, eye sockets, and bone (?2 = 62.9; df = 11; P < 0.001). Histopathologic findings included pharyngitis, esophagitis, myositis, and air sacculitis of the pneumatic bone of the skull. Mixed bacterial colonies were found multifocally at the fronts of the necrosis in six of the eleven birds examined histologically. Infecting trichomonads included T. gallinae subtype A2 (n?=?5), un-typed T. gallinae (n?=?4), mixed infection with T. gallinae subtype A2 and T. stableri (n?=?1), and mixed infection with un-typed T. gallinae and T. stableri (n?=?1). The winter 2014-2015 epidemic was the largest on record in terms of duration, locations, and birds affected. Infection dynamics may have been exacerbated by the drought in California. Increased monitoring of band-tailed pigeons is needed to understand the long-term impacts of large-scale mortality events on their population.

Dataset Information

Trichomonas stableri n. sp., an agent of trichomonosis in Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata monilis).

Publications

Trichomonas stableri n. sp., an agent of trichomonosis in Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata monilis).

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