dc.contributor.author
Parmentier, Sylvia L.
dc.contributor.author
Maier-Sam, Kristina
dc.contributor.author
Failing, Klaus
dc.contributor.author
Enderlein, Dirk
dc.contributor.author
Gruber, Achim D.
dc.contributor.author
Lierz, Michael
dc.date.accessioned
2019-05-03T10:43:36Z
dc.date.available
2019-05-03T10:43:36Z
dc.identifier.uri
https://refubium.fu-berlin.de/handle/fub188/24526
dc.identifier.uri
http://dx.doi.org/10.17169/refubium-2290
dc.description.abstract
The apicomplexan parasite Sarcocystis calchasi (S. calchasi) triggers pigeon protozoal encephalitis, a neurologic disease in columbids. Accipiter hawks have been identified as the final host, and Columbidae and Psittaciformes as intermediate hosts. In this study, 368 free-ranging Accipiter hawks and 647 free-ranging common woodpigeons were sampled in a country-wide study in order to identify the prevalence of S. calchasi in these populations. A semi-nested PCR specific for S. calchasi tested positive in 7.3% (4.9–10.5) of submitted samples from Accipiter hawks. Juvenile Accipiter hawks (13.7%; 7.7–22.0) had a significantly higher infection rate with S. calchasi than adult Accipiter hawks (5.8%; 2.7–9.3). The prevalence of S. calchasi in common woodpigeons was 3.3% (5.4–9.7). Positive pigeons were identified in 14/16 federal states, and a region-dependency was detected, with higher rates of infection in the eastern parts of Germany. The results of this study suggest that the common woodpigeon is a natural reservoir for S. calchasi. In a study of one region for four consecutive years, an increase in prevalence was not detected. Findings indicate that the parasite is not newly introduced to Germany, but rather long established. The prevalence suggests that there is a substantial risk of S. calchasi infections in other free-ranging as well as captive host species.
en
dc.rights.uri
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subject
Neurological disorders
en
dc.subject.ddc
600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften::630 Landwirtschaft::632 Schäden, Krankheiten, Schädlinge an Pflanzen
dc.title
Prevalence of Sarcocystis calchasi in free-ranging host species
dc.type
Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
dc.title.subtitle
Accipiter hawks and Common Woodpigeon in Germany
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.articlenumber
17610
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.doi
10.1038/s41598-018-35862-x
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.journaltitle
Scientific Reports
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.volume
8
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.url
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-35862-x
refubium.affiliation
Veterinärmedizin
refubium.resourceType.isindependentpub
no
dcterms.accessRights.openaire
open access
dcterms.isPartOf.issn
2045-2322