Novel relapsing fever <Emphasis Type="Italic">Borrelia</Emphasis> detected in African penguins (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spheniscus demersus</Emphasis>) admitted to two rehabilitation centers in South Africa |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Michael?J?YabsleyEmail author Nola?J?Parsons Elizabeth?C?Horne Barbara?C?Shock Michaelle?Purdee |
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Institution: | (1) Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA;(2) Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study; Department of Population Health, Wildlife Health Building; College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;(3) Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds and Animal Demography Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;(4) Penguins Eastern Cape Marine Bird Rehabilitation Center, Cape St. Francis, South Africa |
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Abstract: | The African penguin, Spheniscus demersus, the only penguin species that breeds in Africa, is endangered, and several diseases including avian malaria, babesiosis,
and aspergillosis are common in some populations. From 2002 to 2010, spirochetes morphologically consistent with Borrelia were observed on thin blood smears from 115 of 8,343 (1.4%) African penguins admitted to rehabilitation centers in the Western
Cape and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. Prevalence rates were significantly higher among chicks and juveniles compared
with adults and for birds sampled during the summer months of October to February compared with winter months. The majority
of infected birds were ultimately released, despite lack of antibiotic treatment; however, at least one bird is believed to
have died of borreliosis based on characteristic gross and microscopic lesions. Analysis of partial flaB gene sequences indicated this was a relapsing fever Borrelia most similar to a Borrelia sp. detected in soft ticks from a seabird colony in Japan. This represents the fourth report of a relapsing fever Borrelia sp. in an avian species and highlights the need for additional studies of potentially pathogenic organisms infecting the
African penguin in South Africa. |
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