Sphenisciformes Journal Article Quick Review Flashcards
What factors have been associated with abnormal molting in managed African penguins?
What treatment has been effective?
FACTORS AFFECTING ABNORMAL MOLTING IN THE MANAGED AFRICAN PENGUIN (SPHENISCUS DEMERSUS) POPULATION IN NORTH AMERICA
Golembeski M, Sander SJ, Kottyan J, Sander WE, Bronson E.
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2020 Jan;50(4):917-26.6.
Abnormal molt was associated with increased age (> 14y), males, FW pools artificial lighting, being fed diet with < 3 or > 5 spp fish, and shorter intervals of chick rearing (< 3 wks).
Abnormal molts tended to occur in winter. Concurrent dz in 30% abnormal molting birds.
Treatment with melatonin implant placed during chick rearing and/or when affected penguin’s mate or colony began shoring signs of premolt was successful in ~80%.
MGA implants limited efficacy, assoc with weight gain and cadiomyopathy in other penguin spp.
Levothyroxin ineffective in most.
Describe observations of environmental fungal loads in an indoor-outdoor African penguin exhibit.
ENVIRONMENTAL FUNGAL LOADS IN AN INDOOR-OUTDOOR AFRICAN PENGUIN (SPHENISCUS DEMERSUS) EXHIBIT.
Rivas AE, Dykstra MJ, Kranz K, Bronson E.
J Zoo Wildl Med. 2018 Sep;49(3):542-555.
Total fungal loads highest outside. Significantly correlated with monthly temp (higher in warmer months, increased temp and humidity). No correlation with rain. Highest at site of tree planters in public area.
Chrysonilia sitophila isolated from nest material (no asper).
All asper samples were sensitive to vori, terbinafine, itraconazole. A. niger most susceptible to terbinafine.
Indoor filtration reduces fungal load (air-handling system and pleated filters).
Lowest levels during Jan through April.
What was observed in penguins supplemented vit A1, B1, D3, and E after 70 days?
What recommendations have been made as a result?
PLASMA CONCENTRATIONS OF VITAMIN A1, B1, D3, AND E IN HUMBOLDT PENGUINS (SPHENISCUS HUMBOLDTI) BEFORE AND AFTER DIETARY VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTATION OF THEIR FISH DIET.
Bos JH, Klip FC, Kik MJL.
J Zoo Wildl Med. 2018 Sep;49(3):732-737.
Vit B1 significantly increased.
Vit A significantly decreased. Vit A is stored in the liver, and plasma levels are generally not well-correlated.
Vit E and D3 no statistically significant changes.
Low vit B1 in analyzed diet, so supplementation recommended. Supplementation of vit E also recommended for penguins eating frozen thawed fish. Vit D supplementation may be considered based on analysis of penguin plasma levels and dietary levels.
Regularly measure vitamin concentrations in different batches of frozen fish. Supplement penguins with vit B1 and vit E. Vit A supplementation NOT recommended unless diet is low in vit A.
What diagnostic identified early pulmonary granulomas in birds that were otherwise negative for mycobacteriosis on other dx tests?
What treatment combination showed success in little penguins?
DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF MYCOBACTERIOSIS IN A COLONY OF LITTLE PENGUINS (EUDYPTULA MINOR)
Anne E. Rivas et al.
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 50(2): 427–436, 2019
Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) useful for early dx and monitoring of mycobacterial lesions in little penguins. Culture remains the gold standard.
Tx - Rifampin, ethambutol, clarithromycin, enrofloxacin well tolerated.
Twice-weekly draining and scrubbing exhibit, with cleaning agents that disrupt mycobacterial cell walls - bleach 0.5% for 15 minutes.
What risk factors are associated with death in immature rehabilitated African penguins?
PROGNOSTIC INDICATORS OF IMMATURE REHABILITATED AFRICAN PENGUINS (SPHENISCUS DEMERSUS) IN SOUTH AFRICA
Vanstreels RE, Parsons NJ, Pistorius PA, Schaefer AM.
Journal of wildlife diseases. 2019 Oct;55(4):758-69.
Young chicks more likely to die.
Chicks abandoned by parents more likely to die.
Blues admitted for injury and juveniles admitted for debilitation, injury, and molt more likely to die.
Plasmodium contributed to natural death in all ages and decisions to euthanize chicks.
Borrelia (NOT babesia) contributed to death and euthanasia in blues.
Low HCT at admission contributed to death of chicks and death and euthanasia of blues.
Low TP contributed to death in chicks, blues, and juveniles.
High TP was protective in chicks.
Oiled juveniles had highest release rate.
What were prognostic indicators of rehabilitation outcomes for adult African penguins?
PROGNOSTIC INDICATORS OF REHABILITATION OUTCOMES FOR ADULT AFRICAN PENGUINS ( SPHENISCUS DEMERSUS).
Parsons NJ, Vanstreels RET, Schaefer AM.
J Wildl Dis. 2018 Jan;54(1):54-65.
Adult penguins more likely to die if admitted during summer and spring, admitted due to molt or debilitation, low BCS, low HCT, low TP on intake, positive plasmodium diagnosis.
More likely to be euthanized if admitted during spring, low TP on admission, reason for admission besides oiling (injury, molt, debilitation, other). Injured penguin much more likely to be euthanized than an oiled penguin.
Molt induces a substantial drop in HCT.
What was observed in a study evaluating passage and duration of Ab to WNV in humboldt penguins?
THE PASSAGE AND DURATION OF ANTIBODIES TO WEST NILE VIRUS IN HUMBOLDT PENGUINS (SPHENISCUS HUMBOLDTI)
Cushing AC, Dubovi E, Erb HN, Georoff TA, Abou-Madi N.
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2017 Mar;48(1):159-63.
All hens and their eggs had positive Ab titers. Moderate positive correlation between hen and egg yolk Ab titers (no association between booster and yolk titer).
All chicks had detectable titers at 14 and 28 days, majority undetectable by day 84.
WNV maternal Ab longer lasting in humboldt penguins vs flamingos.
Recommended vx chicks at 42 days in addition to 56 and/or 80 days.
What lung parameters (lung and air sac volume, lung density) differed between healthy birds vs birds with pulmonary granulomas on CT?
Rivas, A. E., Fischetti, A. J., Le Roux, A. B., Hollinger, C., Oehler, D. A., & Paré, J. A. (2019). Standing computed tomography in nonanesthetized little penguins (Eudyptula minor) to assess respiratory system anatomy and monitor disease. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 50(2), 396-404.
Lung density significantly different between abnormal and healthy penguins. Greater lung density in birds with pulmonary granulomas.
Lung or air sac volume did NOT differ. In general, little penguins have lower air sac volume vs other penguins spp. Lung volume no significant difference between spp.
What diagnostic tests/EPH protein fractions were associated with a diagnosis of aspergillosis in African penguins?
APPLICATION OF 3-HYDROXYBUTYRATE MEASUREMENT AND PLASMA PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ASPERGILLOSIS IN AFRICAN PENGUINS (SPHENISCUS DEMERSUS).
Desoubeaux G, Rodriguez M, Bronson E, Sirpenski G, Cray C.
J Zoo Wildl Med. 2018 Sep;49(3):696-703.
No difference in anti-aspergillus or galactomannan antigen between groups.
Asper penguins had lower albumin-globulin, prealbumin, and alpha 1 globulins. Albumin considered a negative APP in general.
Asper penguins had higher alpha 2 globulins and 3 hydroxybutyrate.
3-hydroxybutyrate may be used in conjunction with protein EPH for dx asper in African penguins.
When combining 3-hydroxybutyrate, alpha-2 globulins, and beta globulins, specificity and negative predictive values increases.
What was observed on objective gait analysis in humboldt penguins using a pressure-sensitive walkway?
OBJECTIVE GAIT ANALYSIS IN HUMBOLDT PENGUINS (SPHENISCUS HUMBOLDTI) USING A PRESSURE-SENSITIVE WALKWAY
Sheldon JD, Adkesson MJ, Allender MC, Balko JA, Bailey RS, Langan JN, Chinnadurai SK.
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2020 Jan;50(4):910-6.
Left step width larger in abnormal penguins (may reflect right-sided lameness).
For normal penguins, no differences between feet or sex for any gait analysis parameters.
What was observed regarding isolation and antimicrobial sensitivity of Aspergillus fumigatus from frozen respiratory tissues of penguins?
Reed, K., Macgregor, S. K., Stidworthy, M. F., Denk, D., & Guthrie, A. (2020). The isolation and antimicrobial sensitivity of Aspergillus fumigatus from frozen respiratory tissues of penguins from zoological collections in the United Kingdom, 2007–2018. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 51(3), 591-597.
Culture from frozen samples was possible, even after 10 years.
All isolates susceptible to terbinafine and voriconazole and resistant to itraconazole. Sensitivity profiles did not change between fresh vs frozen tissue samples.
Itraconazole compounded formulations do not reach plasma concentrations, hepatotoxicity and death in king penguins reported.
Voriconazole expensive, toxicity reported in penguins (seizures, vestibular, ataxia).
What was observed in a preliminary PK study of itrafungol (new cat formulation of itraconazole) in African penguins?
Preliminary Pilot Study of Itraconazole After a Single Oral Dose of a Veterinary Formulation Solution in African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus)
Zalesak SM, Sanchez CR, Pich AA, Papich MG.
Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery. 2020 Mar;34(1):52-6.
No adverse effects. Total clearance not observed within 24h. Absorbed in all penguins, plasma concentrations reached in 56%.
Much cheaper vs human formulation of itraconazole (sporanox), would be a better option if possible.
Itraconazole requires low gastric pH with a meal to dissolve, oral absorption is generally inconsistent.
What was observed with empirical treatment of avian babesiosis in seabirds?
Empirical Primaquine Treatment of Avian Babesiosis in Seabirds
Ralph Eric Thijl Vanstreels, Renata Hurtado, Albert Snyman, David G. Roberts, Nola J. Parsons, Pierre A. Pistorius
J. of Avian Medicine and Surgery, 33(3):258-264 (2019).
Primaquine 1 mg/kg PO x 10 days had no adverse effects in cormorants or penguins.
Cleared infection 99.6% penguins and 100% cormorants.
Penguin chicks had 3% relapse after stopping tx. Others were negative by 14 days. Babesia peircei.
Cormorants all negative by 6 days. No relapses. Babesia ugwidiensis.
Overall primaquine daily for 10 days cleared babesia infections in cormorants and African penguins.
PK of single dose of oral and IM meloxicam in African penguins?
Pharmacokinetics of a Single Dose of Oral and Intramuscular Meloxicam in African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus)
Morrison J, Greenacre CB, George R, Cox S, Martín-Jiménez T.
Journal of avian medicine and surgery. 2018 Jun;32(2):102-8.
Oral meloxicam 1 mg/kg in African penguins had longer Tmax and longer duration of action vs 0.5 mg/kg IM.
Both had long half-life (32h), similar to pelicans (36h).
Penguins have a longer half life of oral meloxicam than most other birds, recommendations for dosing - 1 mg/kg PO q48h or 0.5 mg/kg IM q24h.
PK orally administered voriconazole in African penguins after single and multiple doses?
Voriconazole 5 mg/kg PO SID x 8 days in African penguins had no adverse effects and reached appropriate concentrations for 4-7 days.
Tmax longer when given with food, similar to RTHA.
Half-life longer vs other spp. Took 4-7 days to reach therapeutic levels. Individual variability - test levels during treatment.
Other spp - Humboldts did not reach therapeutic levels at same dose.
Voriconazole has been associated with ataxia, blindness, seizure-like activity in penguins.
