title: Effects of sewage sludge on the immune defenses of mallards.
abstract: Sewage sludge contains numerous chemicals that, if ingested, could affect the immunological status of wild birds and, in particular, their resistance to infectious disease. Mallard ducks were fed a diet containing 0, 5, or 20% dried sewage sludge from either Milwaukee or Madison, Wisconsin, for 28 and 57 days, respectively. When subsequently challenged with Pasteurella multocida, the mortality in the sludge-treated groups was no greater than that in the untreated control groups. There was, however, significantly more cadmium (two- to three-fold higher concentration) retained in the livers of birds receiving 20% of either sludge in their feed, as compared to controls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Yuill
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000276:immunology; D004372:Ducks / Q000276:immunology*; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008099:Liver / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis; D010326:Pasteurella Infections / Q000276:immunology; D012722:Sewage / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D012722:Sewage