Published in Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine, Vol. LXIII, Issue 1
Written by Alexandra GRUIANU, Mariana IONITA, Lucian FASOLA-MATASARU, Paul-Lucian TIBU, Ioan Liviu MITREA
Migratory birds are important carriers and reservoirs for a variety of pathogens, with a great potential of their spreading. The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve is one of the most important migration stopover for a great diversity of migratory birds where they feed and recover the energy supplies towards the African wintering grounds. Knowledge about the circulation of pathogens, parasites included, in different areas and different bird gatherings contributes to a better understanding of the epidemiology of some parasitic diseases which are responsible for changing in host population dynamics and the potential risks for vector-borne diseases, including zoonoses. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of ecto- and endoparasites in some migratory birds at the hotstop in the Danube Delta (Southeastern Romania). For this, a total number of 260 birds (Passeriformes and Pelecaniformes), belonging to five families (Sylviidae, Turdidae, Laniidae, Paridae, Ardeidae) and 12 species were investigated, during of a ringing session, in August 2016. All birds were examined for external parasites. Additional, 23 birds were also subjected for endoparasite infections using flotation method and microscopic examination. Overall, out of the total birds 22.30% (58/260) were found positive for ectoparasites (feather mites, chewing lice), while 12 of the 23 investigated (52.17%) were positive for internal parasites. As ectoparasites, were detected feather mites in 21.53% (56/260), belonging to Trouessartiidae and Proctophyllodidae families; chweing lice in 0.38% (1/260), belonging to the genus Menachantus (Phtiraptera), and fowl mite Ornithonyssus spp. (Mesostigmata) (0.38%; 1/260). The most common endoparasite infection was with coccidia (Apicomplexa) (39.13%; 9/23), represented by Eimeria spp. and Isospora spp. The prevalence of internal and external parasites found in the present study highlight the need for further investigation of parasitofauna in wildbirds considering the fact that, parasites might have a negative effects on population dynamics of birds.
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