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Screening Wild Birds for Tick-Borne Zoonotic Pathogens in Portugal

Screening Wild Birds for Tick-Borne Zoonotic Pathogens in Portugal

Authors :
Filipa Loureiro
João R. Mesquita
Luís Cardoso
Sérgio Santos-Silva
Guilherme Moreira
Jaqueline T. Bento
Vanessa Soeiro
Andreia Gonçalves
Filipe Silva
Patrícia F. Barradas
Ana C. Matos
Manuela Matos
Ana Cláudia Coelho
Source :
Pathogens, Vol 14, Iss 1, p 75 (2025)
Publication Year :
2025
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2025.

Abstract

Wild birds may be involved in the transmission of agents of infectious diseases, including zoonoses, a circumstance which raises a number of public and animal health issues. Migratory bird species play a significant role in the introduction of tick-borne pathogens to new geographic areas, contributing to the dissemination of various etiological agents. This preliminary study aimed to assess the occurrence of four potentially zoonotic pathogens (Hepatozoon spp., Borrelia spp., Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.) in the wild birds of Portugal. Blood and tissue samples were taken from 103 birds admitted at wildlife rehabilitation centers. Through the use of conventional PCR, our findings indicate no evidence of the circulation of these pathogens among the studied bird populations in the region. In the One Health context, it is relevant to understand how faraway avian populations play a role in the epidemiology of infectious diseases. Further molecular studies are needed to deepen the knowledge of avian piroplasmosis, borreliosis and hepatozoonosis.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20760817
Volume :
14
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Pathogens
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.423f63c030e6489994f82b791a9f8ab9
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14010075