Prevalence of Sarcocystis calchasi in free-ranging host species: Accipiter hawks and Common Woodpigeon in Germany. Issue 1 (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Parmentier, Sylvia; Maier-Sam, Kristina; Failing, Klaus; Enderlein, Dirk; Gruber, Achim; Lierz, Michael
• Is Part Of: Scientific reports. Volume 8:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Natural history -- Research -- Periodicals; Biology -- Research -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 502.85
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35862-x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-2322

Abstract

Abstract The apicomplexan parasiteSarcocystis 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-rangingAccipiter hawks and 647 free-ranging common woodpigeons were sampled in a country-wide study in order to identify the prevalence ofS. calchasi in these populations. A semi-nested PCR specific forS. calchasi tested positive in 7.3% (4.9–10.5) of submitted samples fromAccipiter hawks. JuvenileAccipiter hawks (13.7%; 7.7–22.0) had a significantly higher infection rate withS. calchasi than adultAccipiter hawks (5.8%; 2.7–9.3). The prevalence ofS. 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 forS. 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 ofS. calchasi infections in other free-ranging as well as captive host species.