Hematology, plasma chemistry, serology, and Chlamydophila status of the waved albatross (Phoebastria irrorata) on the Galapagos Islands.
Venipuncture was performed on 50 adult, free-ranging waved albatrosses (Phoebastria irrorata) on Española, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, to establish hematologic and plasma biochemistry reference ranges and to determine the prevalence of exposure to important domestic avian pathogens. Weights and plasma creatine phosphokinase activities differed significantly between males and females. Serum was tested for evidence of exposure to avian influenza, avian paramyxoviruses 1, 2, and 3, avian cholera, adenovirus groups 1 and 2, avian encephalomyelitis, Marek's disease, infectious bursal disease, and infectious bronchitis virus (Connecticut and Massachusetts strains). Of 44 birds, 29 (66%) seroreacted to adenovirus group 1, and four seroreacted to avian encephalomyelitis. Cloacal swabs were negative for Chlamydophila psittaci DNA.
Saint Louis Zoological Park, 1 Government Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
Luis R
LR
Padilla
Kathryn P
KP
Huyvaert
Jane
J
Merkel
R Eric
RE
Miller
Patricia G
PG
Parker
D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D001717:Birds / Q000097:blood*; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D001835:Body Weight; D023501:Chlamydophila / Q000302:isolation & purification; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004484:Ecuador / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012016:Reference Values; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*