Paratanaisia infection in wild birds: Histological and molecular characterization, and novel host species.

Abstract

Paratanaisia spp. is a trematode from Eucotylidae family that parasites kidneys and ureters of many bird species. Epidemiology and histopathology associated with parasitism remains poorly understood in wild birds. The aim of this study was to investigate Paratanaisia-elicited lesions, parasite species identification, and assessment of host species among free-ranging or wild bird species kept under human care. Kidney samples from 196 necropsied free-ranging or captive wild birds from the States of Minas Gerais and São Paulo, Brazil, were included in this study. Parasitism was observed in ten birds, from both zoological institutions, including seven different species, two of which with no previous report of Paratanaisia infection, namely one Icterus jamacaii and one Crypturellus noctivagus. Sequencing of PCR amplicons from two birds demonstrated 100 % cover and identity with P. bragai. The orders Galliformes and Passeriformes had a significantly higher frequency of parasitism when compared to Psittaciformes. Therefore, this study expands our knowledge on the prevalence and host spectrum of Paratanaisia spp.