Extension of the Avian Host Range of Collyriclosis in Europe

Stamatios A Tahas, Anastasia Diakou, Monika Dressel, Samuel Frei, Fábia M Pinto Azevedo, Maria V Mena Casero, Carla Maia, Paula Grest, Felix Grimm, Jiljí Sitko, Ivan Literak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
106 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

We describe cases of collyriclosis in apodiform and passeriform birds in Portugal, Switzerland, and Germany. We extend the host range of Collyriculm faba to include apodiform birds ( Apus apus , Apus melba , and Apus pallidus ) and the passerine Sitta europaea (Eurasian Nuthatch). Infections varied in severity from an incidental finding to severe debilitation and death. The infection route remains unclear with the apparent absence from Germany, Portugal, and Switzerland of the first intermediate host of C. faba, the aquatic gastropod Bythinella austriaca, implying that other organisms might be involved in the parasite's life cycle. Furthermore, the detection of C. faba cysts in very young passerine birds may indicate an infection during the nestling stage and a rapid development of parasite-containing subcutaneous cysts. This series of cases highlights an increased geographic range into Portugal and the potential debilitating nature of a parasite of migratory birds in Europe. However, given the rarity of cases, collyriclosis does not seem to present an important threat to migratory species preservation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)344-348
JournalJournal Of Wildlife Diseases
Volume53
Issue number2
Early online date18 Jan 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2017

Keywords

  • Apus apus
  • Apus melba
  • Apus pallidus
  • Collyriclum faba
  • Passer domesticus
  • Pericloacal cysts
  • Phoenicurus ochruros
  • Sitta europaea

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Extension of the Avian Host Range of Collyriclosis in Europe'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this