Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A G Greenwood

Publications and source records attributed to A G Greenwood.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Avian blood parasites in an endangered columbid: Leucocytozoon marchouxi in the Mauritian Pink Pigeon Columba mayeri.

There is increasing evidence that pathogens can play a significant role in species decline. This study of a complete free-living species reveals a cost of blood parasitism to an endangered host, the Pink Pigeon Columba mayeri, endemic to Mauritius. We investigated the prevalence and effect of infection of the blood parasite, Leucocytozoon marchouxi, in the free-living Pink Pigeon population. Overall, L. marchouxi infection prevalence detected was 18.3%. Juveniles were more likely to be infected than older birds and there was geographical variation in infection prevalence. Survival of birds infected with L. marchouxi was lower than that of uninfected birds to 90 days post-sampling. This study suggests that while common haematozoa are well tolerated in healthy adults, these parasites may have greater pathogenic potential in susceptible juveniles. The study is unusual given its completeness of species sampling (96%) within a short time-period, the accurate host age data, and its focus on blood parasites in a threatened bird species. Species for which long-term life-history data are available for every individual serve as valuable models for dissecting the contribution of particular pathogens to species decline.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Serological evidence of murine pathogens in wild grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) in North Wales.

Wild grey squirrels in North Wales were examined for their serological response to a range of laboratory mouse pathogens. Nineteen squirrels were tested against 14 organisms and a high seroprevalence was found to several, including murine cytomegalovirus, mouse adenovirus, reovirus 3, rotavirus and Sendai virus. Four of the squirrels were seropositive for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, a zoonotic pathogen. None of the infections has previously been reported in squirrels.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Aujeszky's disease in captive bears.

Five of eight bears died during an outbreak of Aujeszky's disease in a travelling circus in the north of Spain. The bears had been fed on a diet which included raw pigs' heads. One of three Himalayan bears and a Kodiak bear died acutely with signs of the disease. One of four polar bears died acutely without signs, another died with signs of Aujeszky's disease while it was being treated, and a third died with enteritis and disseminated intestinal coagulation some time later without showing signs of the disease. A fourth polar bear recovered from the same gastrointestinal problem without showing signs of the disease. Although one of the two surviving Himalayan bears showed some signs referrable to Aujeszky's disease, the results of tests for neutralising antibodies were negative. Two of the polar bears, the Himalayan bear and the Kodiak bear were examined postmortem and three of them were examined histologically. No lesions referable to Aujeszky's disease were found. The tissues from one female polar bear were examined and shown to be positive for Aujeszky's disease virus by virus isolation, polymerase chain reaction, electron microscopy and fluorescent antibody tests. The DNA of the isolate was shown to be similar to that of the strains of the virus circulating in pigs in northern Spain some years earlier.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Diagnosis and treatment of botulism in lions.

Six circus lions (Panthera leo) showed neurological and gastrointestinal signs after consuming casualty broiler chickens. Signs included ataxia, hindlimb paralysis and recumbency. Neurological examination of two affected males showed paralysis of extraocular muscles, fixed dilated pupils and inability to swallow. Replacement fluids and antibiotics were given and Clostridium botulinum type C antitoxin was found in serum samples. Type C antitoxin was not then available and therapy was started in one lioness with guanidine hydrochloride. Convulsions were controlled by diazepam but this animal died. One of the two males was given type C antitoxin; both were given anabolic steroids. All the remaining animals made slow recoveries over varying periods; one lion was recumbent for 41 days. No lion developed respiratory paralysis; other animals which had consumed the chickens remained healthy. Aspects of the treatment of botulism in animals are discussed.

4-Aminopyridine↗