Antimicrobial Resistance and Pathotypes of Isolates from Yellow-Legged Seagulls () in Central Italy.

Seagulls are synanthropic wild birds that can contaminate, through their droppings, beaches, urban and peri-urban environments. This concern is more serious when seagulls eliminate antimicrobial-resistant pathogenic bacteria. This study analyzed the fecal samples from 137 yellow-legged seagulls () from Central Italy.

Molecular Survey on the Occurrence of Tick-Borne Bacteria in Wild Birds from Central Italy.

Birds are known to be carriers of ticks infected by tick-borne pathogens, including bacteria. However, not many studies have been carried out on avian tissues to detect these agents. The aim of the present survey was to investigate, using PCR, the presence of , spp.

Antimicrobial-Resistant spp. in Wild Avifauna from Central Italy.

Bacteria of the genus are opportunistic pathogens, part of the normal intestinal microflora of animals, able to acquire and transfer antimicrobial resistance genes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of wild avifauna as a source of antimicrobial-resistant enterococci. To assess this purpose, 103 spp.

Molecular Detection of in Wild Birds in Central Italy.

(APVs) are important pathogens of both domestic and wild birds. The associated disease is characterized by skin proliferative lesions in the cutaneous form or by lesions of the first digestive and respiratory tracts in the diphtheritic form. Previous studies investigated these infections in symptomatic wild birds worldwide, including Italy, but data about the circulation of APVs in healthy avian wildlife are not available.

Genomic consequences of colonisation, migration and genetic drift in barn owl insular populations of the eastern Mediterranean.

The study of insular populations was key in the development of evolutionary theory. The successful colonisation of an island depends on the geographic context, and specific characteristics of the organism and the island, but also on stochastic processes. As a result, apparently identical islands may harbour populations with contrasting histories.

Landscape and Climatic Variations Shaped Secondary Contacts amid Barn Owls of the Western Palearctic.

The combined actions of climatic variations and landscape barriers shape the history of natural populations. When organisms follow their shifting niches, obstacles in the landscape can lead to the splitting of populations, on which evolution will then act independently. When two such populations are reunited, secondary contact occurs in a broad range of admixture patterns, from narrow hybrid zones to the complete dissolution of lineages.

Morishitium polonicum as a Cause of Severe Respiratory Disease in Eurasian Blackbirds (Turdus merula) in Central Italy.

Two Eurasian Blackbirds (Turdus merula) from central Italy were found with severe cyclocoelid trematodosis associated with airsacculitis. The birds were submitted with severe respiratory distress; one died shortly after hospitalization, while the second bird was euthanized. At necropsy, a massive presence of cyclocoelid flukes was observed in the coelomic cavity and air sacs of both birds.

spp. and Coinfection in a Merlin ().

The genus comprises numerous widely distributed parasites which have been less investigated than other avian hemoprotozoa. Their occurrence is common, with very variable prevalence values and pathogenicity degrees. species are characterized by a great taxonomic diversity, and infections are usually restricted to birds of the same family.

Effect of topical ophthalmic instillation of rocuronium bromide on the intraocular pressure of kestrels () and little owls ().

Objective: To assess the effect of rocuronium bromide-induced mydriasis on the intraocular pressure (IOP) of kestrels () and little owls ().

Animals: 13 adult kestrels and 13 adult little owls.

Procedures: All birds were ophthalmologically normal.

Detection of DNA in Wild Birds from Italy.

The role of avian species in the life cycle has not been completely elucidated, and epidemiological data from Europe are scant. The aim of the present report was to evaluate the presence of DNA in the tissues of 302 birds belonging to different avian species, along with IFAT titers. Forty-two out of the 302 birds (13.

Serological and Molecular Investigation on Infection in Wild Birds.

is an obligate apicomplexan zoonotic parasite that infects humans and other animals and is responsible for toxoplasmosis. This parasite causes one of the most common parasitic infections in humans worldwide. Toxoplasmosis meets the requirements for a One Health Disease due to its ability to affect the health of human beings as well as domestic and free ranging animals.

Schirmer tear test type I readings and intraocular pressure values assessed by applanation tonometry (Tonopen® XL) in normal eyes of four European species of birds of prey.

Objective: To determine normal values for Schirmer tear test I and intraocular pressure in four European species of birds of prey.

Animals Studied: Twenty birds from each of the following species: Eurasian Tawny owl (Strix aluco), Little owl (Athene noctua), Common buzzard (Buteo buteo), and European kestrel (Falco tinnunculus).

Procedures: Both eyes of all birds (80 eyes) underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, which included a Schirmer tear test type I (STT-I) performed with commercially available strips and the assessment of the intraocular pressure (IOP) by applanation tonometry, employing the Tonopen-XL(®) device.

Safety and efficacy of bilateral topical application of rocuronium bromide for mydriasis in European kestrels (Falco tinnunculus).

The avian iris is mainly composed of striated muscle fibers, and the topical parasympatholytic drugs used in mammals to induce pupil dilation are ineffective in birds. The achievement of mydriasis in conscious birds is only possible by using neuromuscular blocking agents such as curariform drugs. To determine the efficacy of the neuromuscular blocking agent rocuronium bromide as a mydriatic agent in European kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and to assess possible adverse effects due to its use, 10 kestrels received a single topical instillation with a pipette of 0.

Mydriatic effect of topically applied rocuronium bromide in tawny owls (Strix aluco): comparison between two protocols.

Objective: To evaluate the mydriatic efficacy of a neuromuscular blocking agent (rocuronium bromide) applied topically to only one eye of nocturnal birds of prey and to assess for any general and/or local adverse effects due to its use. Animal studied  Twelve healthy adult tawny owls (Strix aluco) were randomly divided in two groups.

Procedures: Six birds (Group 1) received a single dose of 0.

Bilateral mydriasis in common buzzards (Buteo buteo) and little owls (Athene noctua) induced by concurrent topical administration of rocuronium bromide.

Objective: To evaluate the achievement of a bilateral mydriasis in raptors induced by a concurrent topical application of rocuronium bromide and to assess any side effects that might result from its use. Animals studied  Ten healthy adult common buzzards (Buteo buteo) and 10 healthy adult little owls (Athene noctua).

Procedures: Common buzzards (Group 1) received a single dose of 0.

Aspergillosis in Larus cachinnans micaellis: survey of eight cases.

Avian aspergillosis is reported in several avian species, with Aspergillus fumigatus as the main aetiological agent. Predisposing factors such as starvation, thermal stress, migratory stress, primary infectious disease or toxicosis may play a role. Eight cases of disseminated aspergillosis in free ranging seagulls sheltered at C.

Sertoli cell tumor associated with polyomavirus infection in a Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae).

A 3-yr-old male Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae) died after 2 wk of lethargy, emaciation, feather loss, and abdominal distension. The bird was housed in an aviary for breeding, but it had shown loss of fertility in the previous breeding season. Necropsy revealed a gross, firm, and yellow mass involving the left testis.

Occurrence of yeasts in psittacines droppings from captive birds in Italy.

Three-hundred twenty five droppings from parrots raised in the premises of 4 breeders and in several private households were cultured for yeasts. One-hundred sixty droppings (49.2%) resulted positive.