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Multi-Year Mortality Due to Staphylococcal Arthritis and Osteomyelitis with Sandspur-Associated Injury in Juvenile Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger) at Nesting Colonies in Southwest Florida, USA

Authors :
Nicole M. Nemeth
Janell M. Brush
W. Andrew Cox
Rebecca Hardman
Brittany Piersma
Alexandra Troiano
Heather W. Barron
Melanie R. Kunkel
Chloe C. Goodwin
Alisia A. W. Weyna
Amy S. McKinney
Xuan Hui Teo
Rebecca Radisic
Lisa A. Shender
Susan Sanchez
Michelle van Deventer
Source :
Veterinary Sciences, Vol 11, Iss 11, p 578 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

The black skimmer (Rynchops niger) is a state-threatened, colonially nesting seabird in Florida, USA. Conservation threats include habitat alteration, human disturbances, severe weather, and predation. During nest monitoring (May–September, 2020–2022), black skimmer juveniles at colonies on Fort Myers Beach and Marco Island, Florida, had polyarthritis and died or were euthanized due to severe illness. Similarly-aged skimmers from geographically distant (considered unaffected) colonies were evaluated for comparison (2021–2023). We documented field, clinical, radiographical, and pathological findings to characterize disease and purported pathogenesis. The majority were lame and lethargic, in poor nutritional condition, and dehydrated. Additionally, 8/23 of the skimmers with dermatitis and arthritis from affected colonies also had penetrating sandspurs associated with skin ulceration, scabbing, and/or hemorrhage. The affected joints were often in limbs (interphalangeal and hock; less commonly stifle, elbow, carpus). A postmortem evaluation and bacteriology revealed Staphylococcal aureus-associated dermatitis, arthritis, tenosynovitis, and/or osteomyelitis in 21/22 of the juvenile skimmers from southwestern nest colonies. Staphylococcus aureus dissemination to internal organs occurred in 10/13 of the skimmers tested. Among skimmers evaluated from distant colonies, 5/10 that were examined histologically had skin crusting and inflammation but lacked arthritis. Occasional coinfections were documented (e.g., West Nile virus, Gram-negative bacilli). The results suggest that staphylococcal joint disease originated from sandspur-induced skin damage, followed by hematogenous dissemination to the joints and, occasionally, the internal organs. Additional nest sites should be tested to evaluate disease risk and potentially contributing environmental factors. We recommend that site managers employ techniques that reduce the risk of skimmer interactions with sandspurs.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
23067381
Volume :
11
Issue :
11
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Veterinary Sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.289ba1675bc241858d3b95f05178a669
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11110578