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Wiegmann A, Springer A, Ottensmann M, Rinaud T, Krüger O, Strube C, Chakarov N. Insights from common buzzard broods on the interaction between Leucocytozoon infection, watercourse habitats and simuliid blackfly vectors. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 25:100978. [PMID: 39263426 PMCID: PMC11389542 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Blood parasites of the genus Leucocytozoon commonly infect many bird species worldwide and are particularly prevalent in birds of prey. As a vector-borne parasitic disease, the infection occurrence overlaps with that of the dominant vectors: blackflies (Diptera, Simuliidae). These blood-sucking insects are dependent on habitats with flowing freshwaters for the development of their larval stages. We investigated the correlation between the proximity to flowing waters and Leucocytozoon infection probability in common buzzard (Buteo buteo) broods, as well as the occurrence of adult blackflies directly at the nests. In addition, we investigated the survival of captured simuliids in relation to host infection intensity. In total in 2019, we examined 112 different nests, including 297 common buzzard nestlings, with a Leucocytozoon prevalence of 56.6% among the nestlings and of 80.3% at brood level. We found no significant association of Leucocytozoon infection probability with nestling age, the distance to the nearest stream and the sum of the length of streams within a radius of 200 and 1000 m around each nest. The number of blackflies caught around the nest showed a tentative correlation with the probability of Leucocyozoon infection of the nestlings. Among the subsample of 218 blackfly individuals that survived day one after capture, survival averaged 6.2 days. Our results suggest that Leucocytozoon transmission is complex and requires consideration of many factors, related to habitat and vector prevalence, especially given their temporal variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Wiegmann
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Meinolf Ottensmann
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Tony Rinaud
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), University of Münster and Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), University of Münster and Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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Pereira H, Chakarov N, Hoffman JI, Rinaud T, Ottensmann M, Gladow KP, Tobias B, Caspers BA, Maraci Ö, Krüger O. Early-life factors shaping the gut microbiota of Common buzzard nestlings. Anim Microbiome 2024; 6:27. [PMID: 38745254 DOI: 10.1186/s42523-024-00313-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exploring the dynamics of gut microbiome colonisation during early-life stages is important for understanding the potential impact of microbes on host development and fitness. Evidence from model organisms suggests a crucial early-life phase when shifts in gut microbiota can lead to immune dysregulation and reduced host condition. However, our understanding of gut microbiota colonisation in long-lived vertebrates, especially during early development, remains limited. We therefore used a wild population of common buzzard nestlings (Buteo buteo) to investigate connections between the early-life gut microbiota colonisation, environmental and host factors. RESULTS We targeted both bacterial and eukaryotic microbiota using the 16S and 28S rRNA genes. We sampled the individuals during early developmental stages in a longitudinal design. Our data revealed that age significantly affected microbial diversity and composition. Nest environment was a notable predictor of microbiota composition, with particularly eukaryotic communities differing between habitats occupied by the hosts. Nestling condition and infection with the blood parasite Leucocytozoon predicted microbial community composition. CONCLUSION Our findings emphasise the importance of studying microbiome dynamics to capture changes occurring during ontogeny. They highlight the role of microbial communities in reflecting host health and the importance of the nest environment for the developing nestling microbiome. Overall, this study contributes to understanding the complex interplay between microbial communities, host factors, and environmental variables, and sheds light on the ecological processes governing gut microbial colonisation during early-life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Pereira
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany.
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
| | - Joseph I Hoffman
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
- Department of Evolutionary Population Genetics, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 OET, UK
| | - Tony Rinaud
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
| | - Meinolf Ottensmann
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
| | - Kai-Philipp Gladow
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
| | - Busche Tobias
- Medical School East Westphalia-Lippe & Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 27, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
| | - Barbara A Caspers
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
| | - Öncü Maraci
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
- Joint Institute for Individualisation in a Changing Environment (JICE), Bielefeld University and University of Münster, Konsequenz 45, 33615, Bielefeld, NRW, Germany
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Winternitz J, Chakarov N, Rinaud T, Ottensmann M, Krüger O. High functional allelic diversity and copy number in both MHC classes in the common buzzard. BMC Ecol Evol 2023; 23:24. [PMID: 37355591 PMCID: PMC10290333 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02135-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which encodes molecules that recognize various pathogens and parasites and initiates the adaptive immune response in vertebrates, is renowned for its exceptional polymorphism and is a model of adaptive gene evolution. In birds, the number of MHC genes and sequence diversity varies greatly among taxa, believed due to evolutionary history and differential selection pressures. Earlier characterization studies and recent comparative studies suggest that non-passerine species have relatively few MHC gene copies compared to passerines. Additionally, comparative studies that have looked at partial MHC sequences have speculated that non-passerines have opposite patterns of selection on MHC class I (MHC-I) and class II (MHC-II) loci than passerines: namely, greater sequence diversity and signals of selection on MHC-II than MHC-I. However, new sequencing technology is revealing much greater MHC variation than previously expected while also facilitating full sequence variant detection directly from genomic data. Our study aims to take advantage of high-throughput sequencing methods to fully characterize both classes and domains of MHC of a non-passerine bird of prey, the common buzzard (Buteo buteo), to test predictions of MHC variation and differential selection on MHC classes. RESULTS Using genetic, genomic, and transcriptomic high-throughput sequencing data, we established common buzzards have at least three loci that produce functional alleles at both MHC classes. In total, we characterize 91 alleles from 113 common buzzard chicks for MHC-I exon 3 and 41 alleles from 125 chicks for MHC-IIB exon 2. Among these alleles, we found greater sequence polymorphism and stronger diversifying selection at MHC-IIB exon 2 than MHC-I exon 3, suggesting differential selection pressures on MHC classes. However, upon further investigation of the entire peptide-binding groove by including genomic data from MHC-I exon 2 and MHC-IIA exon 2, this turned out to be false. MHC-I exon 2 was as polymorphic as MHC-IIB exon 2 and MHC-IIA exon 2 was essentially invariant. Thus, comparisons between MHC-I and MHC-II that included both domains of the peptide-binding groove showed no differences in polymorphism nor diversifying selection between the classes. Nevertheless, selection analysis indicates balancing selection has been acting on common buzzard MHC and phylogenetic inference revealed that trans-species polymorphism is present between common buzzards and species separated for over 33 million years for class I and class II. CONCLUSIONS We characterize and confirm the functionality of unexpectedly high copy number and allelic diversity in both MHC classes of a bird of prey. While balancing selection is acting on both classes, there is no evidence of differential selection pressure on MHC classes in common buzzards and this result may hold more generally once more data for understudied MHC exons becomes available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Winternitz
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Tony Rinaud
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Meinolf Ottensmann
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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Leung T, Francis Z, Forgu EL, Honore A, Bigoga JD, Nsagha DS. The Effects of HIV Infection on the Immune Response to Malaria Among Pregnant Women in Kumba, Southwest Cameroon: Protocol for a Cross-sectional Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e38213. [PMID: 36692923 PMCID: PMC9906321 DOI: 10.2196/38213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria and HIV, 2 of the world's deadliest diseases, share a lot of territory in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVE This study seeks to investigate the effect of HIV on the immune response to malaria infection among pregnant women in Kumba in the southwest region (SWR) of Cameroon. The study aims to determine the prevalence of malaria infection, assess the occurrence of Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity, and evaluate the antibody (immunoglobulin [Ig]G and IgM: apical membrane antigen-1 [AMA1], merozoite surface protein [MSP]1, MSP2, MSP3, and erythrocyte-binding antigen [EBA]175) and cytokine (interleukin [IL]-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], and interferon gamma [IFNγ]) response to malaria infection among pregnant women with and without HIV in Kumba. METHODS The study will be a hospital-based cross-sectional design that will run from March 2022 to February 2023. It will recruit pregnant women with and without HIV who are in their third trimester of pregnancy. The study will be carried out in 5 health institutions in Kumba: General Hospital Kumba, Presbyterian Hospital Kumba, District Hospital Kumba-town, Kossala Integrated Health Center Kumba, and Catholic Hospital Kumba. About 3 mL of the mother's venous blood, placental blood, and baby cord blood will be collected from each pregnant women at the point of delivery. Microscopy, rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) will be performed to identify the malaria parasite in all the samples, and nested PCR targeting the different genetic diversity markers for P. falciparum will also be performed. Furthermore, sequencing will be performed to study the nucleotide sequence of different alleles, and the genetic diversity of the alleles responsible for malaria infection among pregnant women will be assessed. A multiplex assay will be conducted to analyze the peripheral blood plasma and cord blood plasma for the cytokine and total antibody response to malaria infection among pregnant women with and without HIV. The questionnaire for data collection will be pretested at the Kumba District Hospital, and ethical clearance will be obtained from the University of Buea and the Regional Delegation of Public Health for the SWR. Data will be analyzed using SPSS Statistics and STATA. All P values <.05 will be considered statistically significant. BioEdit 7.0.0 software will be used to align the nucleotide sequences of different genes after sequencing. Phylogenetic tree searching will be conducted using the maximum-likelihood (ML) method in MEGA V6.0. RESULTS The project started in March 2022 and will end in February 2023. Presently, three-fourth of the project funding has been disbursed to date. A total of 218 participants have been enrolled: 193 (88.5%) women without HIV and 25 (11.5%) women with HIV. Between February 2023 and March 2024, the following results will be ready for publication: maternal-neonatal malaria prevalence among pregnant women and babies in Kumba, the effect of HIV on (1) P. falciparum genetic diversity among pregnant women in Kumba, (2) the maternal and neonatal immune response to MSP1, MSP2, and EBA175 IgG antibody response to P. falciparum-caused malaria infection among pregnant women, and (3) the maternal and neonatal pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine response to malaria infection. CONCLUSIONS HIV infection increases the prevalence of malaria infection among pregnant women and also influences the genetic diversity of P. falciparum, with MSP1 alleles being the most prevalent. HIV infection also reduces the antibody response to malaria infection, as well as altering the level of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses to malaria infection. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/38213.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zeukeng Francis
- The Biotechnology Center, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Esemu Livo Forgu
- The Biotechnology Center, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Centre for Research on Emerging and Reemerging Diseases, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Awanakam Honore
- The Biotechnology Center, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.,Centre for Research on Emerging and Reemerging Diseases, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Jude Daiga Bigoga
- The Biotechnology Center, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Dickson S Nsagha
- Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
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Tolerability of Atovaquone—Proguanil Application in Common Buzzard Nestlings. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9080397. [PMID: 36006311 PMCID: PMC9414624 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9080397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Many wild animals, and particularly birds, are commonly infected and can suffer health consequences by blood parasites related to Plasmodium, the causative agents of malaria in humans. Atovaquone–proguanil (Malarone®, GlaxoSmithKline) is one of the most popular drugs for the treatment of malaria infections in humans and is commonly used for the treatment of birds in captivity. Our aim was to test the potential effects of Malarone® within one week of treatment on the growth rate, body condition, and blood chemistry of common buzzard nestlings, a widely distributed Eurasian bird of prey. We found no evidence of detrimental effects of a single dose in common buzzard nestlings with an average dosage of 11 mg/kg, compared with the 7 mg/kg recommended daily dosage in humans. Although Malarone® is commonly used in wildlife rehabilitation centres, and our results do not indicate acute toxicity, further studies are needed to determine the half-life and potential long-term effects of Malarone® treatment in birds. Abstract Differences in drug tolerability among vertebrate groups and species can create substantial challenges for wildlife and ex situ conservation programmes. Knowledge of tolerance in the use of new drugs is, therefore, important to avoid severe toxicity in species, which are both commonly admitted in veterinary clinics and are of conservation concern. Antimalarial drugs have been developed for use in human medicine, but treatment with different agents has also long been used in avian medicine, as haemosporidian infections play a major role in many avian species. This study investigates the effects of the application of atovaquone–proguanil (Malarone®, GlaxoSmithKline) in common buzzards (Buteo buteo). The potential effects of treatment on body condition, growth rate, and chemical blood parameters of nestlings were assessed. All individuals survived the treatment, and no effects on body condition, growth rate, and chemical blood parameters were observed. Our results suggest the tolerability of Malarone® in common buzzards at a single dose of on average 11 mg/kg body weight. For its safe use, we recommend further studies to determine pharmacokinetics in different avian species as well as to assess the effects of repeated treatment.
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Morosinotto C, Brommer JE, Lindqvist A, Ahola K, Aaltonen E, Karstinen T, Karell P. Fledging Mass Is Color Morph Specific and Affects Local Recruitment in a Wild Bird. Am Nat 2020; 196:609-619. [DOI: 10.1086/710708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Shurulinkov P, Spasov L, Stoyanov G, Chakarov N. Blood parasite infections in a wild population of ravens (Corvus corax) in Bulgaria. Malar J 2018; 17:33. [PMID: 29338711 PMCID: PMC5771030 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2179-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood parasites have been studied intensely in many families of avian hosts, but corvids, a particularly cosmopolitan family, remain underexplored. Haemosporidian parasites of the common raven (Corvus corax) have not been studied, although it is the largest, most adaptable, and widespread corvid. Genetic sequence data from parasites of ravens can enhance the understanding of speciation patterns and specificity of haemosporidian parasites in corvids, and shed light how these hosts cope with parasite pressure. METHODS A baited cage trap was used to catch 86 ravens and a nested PCR protocol was used to amplify a 479 bp fragment of the haemosporidian cytochrome b gene from the samples. The obtained sequences were compared with the MalAvi database of all published haemosporidian lineages and a phylogenetic tree including all detected raven parasites was constructed. An examination of blood smears was performed for assessment of infection intensity. RESULTS Twenty blood parasite lineages were recovered from ravens caught in a wild population in Bulgaria. The prevalence of generalist Plasmodium lineages was 49%, and the prevalence of Leucocytozoon lineages was 31%. Out of 13 detected Leucocytozoon lineages six were known from different corvids, while seven others seem to be specific to ravens. A phylogenetic reconstruction suggests that Leucocytozoon lineages of ravens and other corvids are not monophyletic, with some groups appearing closely related to parasites of other host families. CONCLUSIONS Several different, morphologically cryptic groups of Leucocytozoon parasites appear to infect corvids. Ravens harbour both generalist corvid Leucocytozoon as well as apparently species-specific lineages. The extraordinary breeding ecology and scavenging lifestyle possibly allow ravens to evade vectors and have relatively low blood parasite prevalence compared to other corvids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Shurulinkov
- National Museum of Natural History, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | | | - Nayden Chakarov
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, 33501, Bielefeld, Germany.
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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