LOW PREVALENCE OF PLASMODIUM AND HAEMOPROTEUS IN RESIDENT SEABIRDS FROM OCEANIC ISLANDS OFF THE BRAZILIAN COAST

Bird pathogens promote morbidity and mortality that affect bird population stability. In this context, the present study aimed to detect blood intracellular parasites by molecular methods in four species of seabirds, Masked Booby Sula dactylatra, Red-footed Booby S. sula, Brown Booby S. leucogaster, and Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens, on the Brazilian coast. Blood samples were collected in the Archipelagos of Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo, Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, and Trindade and Martim Vaz. Genomic DNA was extracted with proteinase K digestion and purification with phenol and chloroform. For each sample, three independent polymerase chain reactions were performed with a positive control for Plasmodium and Haemoproteus. Corroborating other studies, our results indicate a low prevalence of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus parasitemia in this group of birds in the wild. We propose that the low parasitemia occurred due to 1) the absence of the vector for transmission among individuals of these islands; 2) the low number of parasitized individuals detected in the colonies sampled; and 3) an effective immune response that prevented installation of the parasite. Only the Masked Booby and Magnificent Frigatebird have sufficient flight capacity to reach the Brazilian coast, but Masked Boobies rarely visit waters near the coast. Without vector studies at the archipelagos that were sampled, these hypotheses cannot be assessed.

Automated summary

The study aimed to detect blood intracellular parasites in four seabird species on the Brazilian coast, with results showing a low prevalence possibly due to the absence of transmission vectors, low number of parasitized individuals, and an effective immune response. The Masked Booby and Magnificent Frigatebird have the ability to reach the Brazilian coast, but the former rarely visits coastal waters. Vector studies at the sampled archipelagos are needed to further assess these hypotheses.