Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Parrots”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Rapid facile solid-phase immunobead assay for screening ciguatoxic fish in the market place.

The precision of the solid-phase immunobead assay (Ciguatect) to detect toxins associated with ciguatera poisoning have been evaluated through analysis of toxic and non-toxic fish obtained from fishing areas around the Hawaiian Islands. The Ciguatect test kit has been optimized for application to field/marketplace screening of ciguatoxic fish. Twelve parrot, surgeon, and amberjack fish fillet and fish extract test portions containing various concentrations of toxins were distributed to participating laboratories for analysis. The presence or absence of ciguatera-related toxins is determined by binding the toxins to a membrane attached to a plastic strip and exposing the toxin ladened membrane to a monoclonal antibody-colored latex bead complex which has a high specificity for ciguatera-related toxins. The intensity of the color on the membrane denotes the presence of the toxins in the fish or fish extract. Toxic components in the fish were confirmed by extraction, column purification, and toxicity testing using the brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) assay. Okadaic acid was used to standardize both the S-PIA and brine shrimp assays. For determination of ciguatoxin and related polyether toxins in parrot, surgeon, and amberjack fish fillets, the relative standard deviations for repeatability (RSDR) were 13.5, 9.0 and 4.3%, respectively, and the relative standard deviations for reproducibility (RSDR) were 44.4, 29.7 and 14.3%, respectively, for concentrations ranging from 1-4 ng/test strip. For determination of ciguatoxin and related polyether toxins in parrot, surgeon, and amberjack fish extracts, the RSDR were 5.8, 4.8, and 3.7%, respectively, and the RSDR were 11.9, 9.9, and 7.6%, respectively, for concentrations ranging from 3-5 ng/test strip.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Survey of clinical psittacine bird sera for Salmonella typhimurium agglutinins.

Of 2407 serum samples from various kinds of psittacine birds submitted for Chlamydia serology, 2343 (97.4%) were negative, 25 (1.0%) were equivocal, and 39 (1.6%) were positive for Salmonella typhimurium agglutinins. In additional serum samples from two groups of African gray parrots, the prevalence of agglutinins was 0.0% (0/38) in the Timneh variety and 24.0% (6/25) in the Congo variety. In sera from one macaw, one cockatoo, and one Amazon parrot, which were negative for chlamydial antibody activity, there were strongly reactive agglutinins for S. typhimurium. Two Amazon parrots had antibody activity against Salmonella and Chlamydia antigens.

Agglutinins↗
PubMed1980

A study on the reservoir status of Q-fever in avifauna, wild mammals and poikilotherms in Uttar Pradesh (India).

Fifteen species of free-living birds (pigeon, mynah, house-sparrow, crow, vulture, owl, swallow, parrot, heron, duck, guinea fowl, hawk, kite, dove and peacock), 11 species of small/large wild mammals (rat, bandicoot, house mouse, shrew, bat, mongoose, ant eater, Jackal wild cat, chinkara and tiger) and 5 species of poikilotherms (snakes, python, tortoise, monitor and eel) were screened for evidence of Q-fever infection by the capillary agglutination test on sera to detect antibodies and/or by attempts to demonstrate Coxiella burnetii in samples of visceral organs. Sero-reactors were observed among mynah (19/69), owlet (1/6), pigeon (1/11), swallow (6/200), parrot (13/56), rat (3/21), shrew (1/24), bat (2/14) and snake (7/23). Eleven strains of the organism comprising 3 from mynah, 2 from rats, and 1 each from parrot, crow, swallow, bandicoot, chinkara and python were isolated. This appears to be the first record of natural Q-fever infection in free-living birds in India. C. burnetii was also recovered in 1 of 12 water samples processed from ponds. Possibility of contamination of ponds with C. burnetii from infected water-fauna has been discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Compendium of psittacosis (chlamydiosis) control, 1997. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Infection with Chlamydia psittaci, often referred to as avian chlamydiosis (AC), is an important cause of systemic illness in companion birds (i.e., birds kept by humans as pets) and poultry. Infection can be transmitted from infected birds to humans. In humans, infection caused by C. psittaci is referred to as psittacosis, which can result in fatal pneumonia. This compendium provides information on AC (also known as psittacosis, ornithosis, and parrot fever) and psittacosis (also known as parrot disease, parrot fever, and chlamydiosis) to public health officials, veterinarians, physicians, the companion-bird industry, and others concerned with control of the disease and protection of public health. These recommendations provide effective, standardized disease control procedures for AC in companion birds and will be reviewed and revised as necessary.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1998

Compendium of measures to control Chlamydia psittaci infection among humans (psittacosis) and pet birds (avian chlamydiosis), 1998. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Psittacosis -- also known as parrot disease, parrot fever, and ornithosiscan cause severe pneumonia and other serious health problems among humans. Approximately 800 cases of psittacosis (infection with Chlamydia psittaci) were reported to CDC from 1987 through 1996, and most resulted from exposure to pet birds, usually parrots, macaws, cockatiels, and parakeets. In birds, C. psittaci infection is referred to as avian chlamydiosis (AC). Infected birds shed the bacteria through feces and nasal discharges, which can remain infectious for several months. This compendium provides information about psittacosis and AC to public health officials, physicians, veterinarians, members of the pet bird industry, and others concerned about controlling these diseases and protecting public health. The recommendations in this compendium provide effective, standardized procedures for controlling AC in birds, a vital step to protecting human health.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Methionine enkephalin immunoreactivity in the brain of the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus): similarities and differences with respect to oscine songbirds.

The brain of the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), a small parrot that acquires new vocalizations throughout life, was examined for immunoreactivity to the opioid peptide methionine enkephalin (mENK). mENK is a highly prominent feature of the chemical architecture of the forebrain vocal system of oscine songbirds. Forebrain vocal control nuclei are believed to have evolved independently in parrots and songbirds (Streidter [1994] J. Comp. Neurol. 343:35-56); however, recent studies have found similarities in the neural organization of vocal control pathways in budgerigars and songbirds (Durand et al. [1997] J. Comp. Neurol. 377:179-206). Among the similarities are the existence of recursive pathways interconnecting vocal control neurons in the archistriatum, basal ganglia (i.e., lobus parolfactorius), and dorsal thalamus. In the present study, we found that all vocal control nuclei within the budgerigar forebrain exhibit prominent mENK-like immunoreactivity (ELI) in fibers and somata. We also found striking similarities between the morphology of ELI elements in budgerigar vocal control nuclei and that described previously in songbird vocal nuclei. Despite these similarities, the budgerigar dorsal striatopallidum (lobus parolfactorius, paleostriatum augmentatum, and paleostriatum primitivum) and somatomotor (anterior) archistriatum exhibit unique patterns of ELI. The dorsal striatopallidum contained far less ELI, whereas the archistriatum contained far more than would be expected on the basis of previous studies of opioid peptides in other avian species, including pigeons, chickens, and songbirds. These differences may reflect neural specializations unique to the budgerigar that contribute to the extraordinary flexibility of the vocal motor system of this species to acquire socially significant stimuli throughout life.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Auditory responses in the vocal motor system of budgerigars.

Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) are small Australian parrots that can imitate novel sounds in adulthood and therefore serve as a convenient model system for the study of vocal learning in adult animals. Previous anatomical studies had indicated that known auditory regions in the telencephalon of budgerigars are connected, albeit indirectly and rather sparsely, to vocal motor nuclei. Physiological evidence for connections between the auditory and vocal motor systems in budgerigars had been lacking, however. Here, we show that neurons in a telencephalic vocal motor region, i.e., the central nucleus of the lateral neostriatum (NLc), are responsive to auditory stimuli in isoflurane-anesthetized budgerigars. These responses are highly variable from trial to trial and frequently have latencies in excess of 100 ms. Neurons in NLc generally respond better to a budgerigar's own contact call than to a white noise stimulus, but the response preferences of NLc neurons in budgerigars are generally weaker and more diverse than the response preferences of neurons in the high vocal center of songbirds, which is probably analogous to NLc. These data indicate that parrots and songbirds, which have evolved the ability to learn vocalizations independently of one another, have both evolved physiologically effective connections between their auditory and vocal motor systems. Interestingly, however, the anatomical pathways by which the auditory and vocal motor systems interact, and the physiological details of how they communicate, appear to be significantly different between the two taxa.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2002

Truly hypervariable DNA fingerprints due to exceptionally high mutation rates.

The power of DNA fingerprinting is due to comparatively high mutation rates of minisatellite and microsatellite DNA sequences. Studying the mating system of a parrot species (Burrowing Parrots, Cyanoliseus patagonus) using oligonucleotide probes, we observed mutation rates that are several orders of magnitude higher than those described anywhere in the literature. Most plausibly, the respective values are based on 3-4 loci with mutation rates of up to 100%.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Comparison of Escherichia coli Isolates from humans, food, and farm and companion animals for presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli virulence markers.

The objective of this study was to characterize Escherichia coli isolates from dairy cows/feedlots, calves, mastitis, pigs, dogs, parrot, iguana, human disease, and food products for prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) virulence markers. The rationale of the study was that, isolates of the same serotypes that were obtained from different sources and possessed the same marker profiles, could be cross-species transmissible. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect presence of genes encoding Shiga toxin 1 and 2 (stx1 and stx2), H7 flagella (flicC), enterohemolysin (hly) and intimin (eaeA) in E. coli isolates (n = 400). Shiga toxin-producing isolates were tested for production of Shiga toxins (Stx1 and Stx2 and enterohemolysin. Of the E. coli O157:H7/H- strains, 150 of 164 (mostly human, cattle, and food) isolates were stx+. Sixty-five percent of O157 STEC produced both Stx1 and Stx2; 32% and 0.7% produced Stx2 or Stx1, respectively. Ninety-eight percent of O157 STEC had sequences for genes encoding intimin and enterohemolysin. Five of 20 E. coli O111, 4 of 14 O128 and 4 of 10 O26 were stx+ . Five of 6 stx+ O26 and O111 produced Stx1, however, stx+ O128 were Stx-negative. Acid resistance (93.3%) and tellurite resistance (87.3%) were common attributes of O157 STEC, whereas, non-O157 stx+ strains exhibited 38.5% and 30.8% of the respective resistances. stx-positive isolates were mostly associated with humans and cattle, whereas, all isolates from mastitis (n = 105), and pigs, dogs, parrot and iguanas (n = 48) were stx-negative. Multiplex PCR was an effective tool for characterizing STEC pathogenic profiles and distinguished STEC O157:H7 from other STEC. Isolates from cattle and human disease shared similar toxigenic profiles, whereas isolates from other disease sources had few characteristics in common with the former isolates. These data suggest interspecies transmissibility of certain serotypes, in particular, STEC O157:H7, between humans and cattle.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed1978

Psittacosis: the reservoir persists.

During a one-year period, 101 parakeets and parrots were submitted for laboratory examination. The birds were sick, dead, or from premises where morbidity had been observed. Tissue specimens from these birds were tested for the presence of Chlamydiapsittaci by two methods. A tissue culture system using McCoy cells treated with 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine was found to be more sensitive than intraperitoneal inoculation of mice for isolation of the chlamydiae. Chlamydiae were recovered from 21 (34%) of 61 parakeets and 16 (40%) of 40 parrots tested. This high rate of infection persists despite the availability of effective chemotherapeutic regimens for control of chlamydial infection in psittacines. The origins of some of the infected birds were traced to aviaries where subsequent treatment with chlortetracycline was successful in eradication of the chlamydial infection. Other infected birds had been imported recently and could be traced back to quarantine centers where (by law) the birds received chemoprophylaxis for chlamydial infection. Our results suggest that this program is an administrative failure.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Lactobacillus psittaci sp. nov., isolated from a hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus).

A Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic coccibacillus to rod-shaped bacterium isolated from a parrot was characterized using phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. The unknown bacterium phenotypically resembled lactobacilli and comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that the organism represents a distinct subline within the Lactobacillus delbrueckii rRNA cluster of the genus. 16S rRNA sequence divergence values of > 6% with recognized Lactobacillus species clearly demonstrated the phylogenetic separateness of the parrot bacterium. On the basis of phylogenetic evidence and the phenotypic distinctiveness of the unknown bacterium, a new species, Lactobacillus psittaci sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of Lactobacillus psittaci is CCUG 42378T (= CIP 106492T).

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Nasal allergy to avian antigens.

This study describes the case of a patient who developed symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis on exposure to budgerigars and parrots. An IgE-mediated allergy to budgerigar, parrot and pigeon antigens was demonstrated using both in-vivo challenge tests (skin and nasal provocation tests) and in-vitro investigations (radio-allergo-sorbent test, histamine release test). The study shows that the development of nasal disease can be associated with allergy to avian antigens.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Effects of UVB radiation on calcium metabolism in psittacine birds.

The effects of providing ultraviolet (uv) radiation (285 to 315 nm, ultraviolet B) on calcium metabolism in two groups of 20 healthy grey parrots (Psittacus e erithacus) fed either a seed or pellet-based diet were investigated. There was a significant increase in the concentration of ionised calcium in the plasma of both groups, independent of the calcium and vitamin D(3) content of the diets fed, and a significant increase in the plasma concentration of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in only the seed-fed group. In a separate study there were no significant increases in plasma ionised calcium or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol between March and August in a group of 28 South American parrots (Pionus species) exposed to unfiltered natural sunlight.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1999

[Polyomavirus infections in exotic birds in Switzerland].

Polyomavirus infections in budgerigars, in other parrots as well as in passeriformes have been described in many countries, but not in Switzerland so far. This paper reports on cases of polyomavirus infections in three different bird collections in Switzerland. The first outbreak occurred in a mixed collection of passeriformes, the second in a collection of parrotlets (Genus Forpus), and the third in a large groups of parrots (Psittaciformes), of which only one recently acquired Kea (Nestor notabilis) was affected. The clinical symptoms, gross necropsy changes and histopathologic findings are described. The presence of avian polyomavirus was confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Uncommon mycobacterial infections in domestic and zoo animals: four cases with special emphasis on pathology].

Infections caused by classical tubercle bacilli are rare during the last years. Nevertheless, diseases caused by other mycobacteria have to be considered clinically and in diagnostic pathology especially in cases of immunosuppression and due to their potential zoonosis risk. An infection by mycobacteria was diagnosed in four animals (Mayotte Maki, Blue-headed Parrot, Patagonian sealion, Beagle) necropsied between 1995 and 2002 in the Institute of Veterinary-Pathology of the University of Leipzig. The Maki, the blue-headed parrot and the dog showed a disseminated character of the disease caused by Mycobacterium genavense (monkey and bird) resp. Mycobacterium avium (dog), while an open chronical tuberculosis of the lungs due to a pathogenic member of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was observed in the seal. All these bacteria are potential causes of zoonoses. So, if granulomatous or disseminated histiocytic alterations are detected in diagnostic pathology, mycobacterial infections should always be included in differential diagnoses and require careful aetiological investigations by histopathological and bacteriological methods.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Severe pneumonia from psittacosis in a bird-keeper].

A 67-year-old man was admitted due to severe pneumonia. Initially he was treated with beta-lactam antibiotics and oxygen. However, he developed respiratory failure and was transferred to the intensive-care unit for mechanical ventilation. He was a bird-keeper who collected many species of exotic birds, including parrots. The diagnosis psittacosis (parrot fever) was confirmed serologically and by PCR on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. PCR techniques lead to rapid diagnosis which allows for early treatment. The initial treatment of atypical pneumonia with ciprofloxacin failed. After the patient was treated with doxycycline 200 mg i.v. his clinical condition improved and he was cured. The patient was discharged from intensive care after 10 days when acute respiratory-distress syndrome and pericarditis had resolved. Psittacosis is seen sporadically in the Netherlands. It may be encountered more frequently among patients who have had contact with birds and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of atypical pneumonia.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of a bacteriological and mycological examination of psittacine birds.

Results are presented from a microbiological (bacteriological and mycological) investigation and the sensitivity tests of microorganisms isolated over a 2-year period (1983-84) from 80 fecal samples and 466 necropsies of psittacine birds. These results are correlated with signs of metaplasia of the salivary glands due to vitamin A deficiency in large parrots and with low vitamin A levels in the livers of small psittacine birds. Aerobic microorganisms were isolated from 76% of the fecal samples and 67% of the necropsies. Infections with primary pathogenic bacteria were found in less than 10% of the necropsies. Metaplasia was found in 51% of the large parrots, and the vitamin A levels in budgerigars were below acceptable levels. The possible role of a deficient diet in Psittaciformes in the occurrence of microbial infections and their treatment are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Epizootiologic aspects of viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease in six pet bird species.

Pet birds of 6 species were exposed to a psittacine isolate to viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease (VVND) virus to evaluate the impact of VVND in those species. Species examined were the budgerigar, yellow-headed Amazon parrot, canary, halfmoon conure, lesser hill mynah, and blackheaded nun. Five of the 6 species were highly susceptible to infection with VVND virus. Canaries were relatively refractory to infection with the virus. Contact birds of the same species developed infections almost as rapidly as did the birds directly exposed to nebulized VVND virus. Mortality was most marked for the conures. Less than half of the parrots exposed to nebulized virus died of VVND. Of the directly exposed budgerigars, mynahs, and nuns, 16% to 22% died during an observation period of postexposure days 0 through 28.

Animals↗