title: Molecular screening for bacteria and protozoa in great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) nesting in Slovakia, central Europe.
abstract: This study brings the data about the occurrence of bacterial and protozoan pathogens in 32 great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), representing approximately 20% of the population nesting in the surroundings of water basin Liptovská Mara (northern part of Central Slovakia). A survey revealed the presence of tick-borne bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum (6.25%) and parasitic protozoa Toxoplasma gondii (3.1%). These data indicate an infectious status of the great cormorant population nesting in Slovakia; they might suggest a degree of environmental contamination by infectious agents and demonstrate the role of migratory seabirds in the circulation and dispersal of pathogens with zoonotic potential.
authors.forename: Bronislava
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Víchová
authors.forename: Katarína
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reiterová
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Špilovská
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blaňarová
authors.forename: Zuzana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hurníková
authors.forename: Ĺudmila
authors.initials: Ĺ
authors.lastname: Turčeková
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D001717:Birds / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D018154:Slovakia; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000469:parasitology*