Avian malaria seroprevalence in Jackass penguins (Spheniscus demersus) in South Africa.
Blood samples of 191 adult Jackass penguins (Spheniscus demersus) from South Africa were tested by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) with Plasmodium falciparum antigen (R32tet32) for avian malaria antibodies (Ab). The samples originated from free-ranging penguins from offshore islands and southern coast colonies (3 groups, n = 110), from 2 penguin groups (n = 66) rescued after offshore oil-spill contamination and rehabilitated at the Rescue Station of the South African National Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) in Cape Town, and from SANCCOB-resident penguins (n = 15). The total average malaria Ab seroprevalence was 39%, and the mean malaria seropositivity ranged from 20% to 62% among the 6 S. demersus groups, with a mean of 55% for oiled penguins, and 31% for the remaining birds. The total mean absorbance value was 0.57 for ELISA-positive penguins, 0.43 for birds kept at SANCCOB facilities, and 0.70 for the penguins from wild colonies. The 2 groups of oiled penguins exhibited higher malaria Ab seroprevalence (38% and 62%) than the 3 groups of non-oiled birds (29%, 33% and 35%). Malaria Ab seroprevalence of free-ranging penguins was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than in the 3 groups of birds at SANCCOB facilities and did not differ significantly among 3 wild penguin colonies.
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D001717:Birds; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D008289:Malaria, Avian / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D010578:Petroleum; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000276:immunology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014876:Water Pollution
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D010578:Petroleum