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A non-invasive feather-based methodology for the detection of blood parasites (Haemosporida)
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González-Olvera, Merit, Hernandez Colina, Arturo, Chantrey, Julian, Allen, Simon, Lopez, Javier and Baylis, Matthew (2023) A non-invasive feather-based methodology for the detection of blood parasites (Haemosporida). Scientific Reports, 13 (1). 16712. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-43932-y ISSN 2045-2322.
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WRAP-non-invasive-feather-based-methodology-detection-blood-parasites-Haemosporida-Hernandez-Colina-2023.pdf - Published Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (1327Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43932-y
Abstract
Blood parasite (haemosporidian) infections are conventionally detected using blood samples; this implies capturing and handling birds to obtain them, which induces stress and causes pain. Feathers have blood vessels, and some blood could be preserved in the feather’s shaft after moulting. We used feather DNA for detecting haemosporidians by PCR testing in diverse scenarios. First, haemosporidian DNA was detected in feathers from carcasses of infected birds, proving the feasibility of the approach. Storage temperature affected DNA recovery, with maximum retrieval and haemosporidian detection at the lowest temperature (− 20 °C). All feather types from infected birds kept at optimal conditions yielded haemosporidian DNA. Parasite detection by PCR was correlated with DNA yield, which was significantly higher in heavier birds, flight feathers, and more feathers per pool. Lastly, haemosporidians were detected employing feathers moulted from wild and captive birds to estimate infection prevalence. We show for the first time that using blood from feather shafts for haemosporidian detection can be an advantageous and less invasive alternative to blood sampling if feathers are optimally preserved. This method could contribute to uncovering haemosporidian infections in endangered and elusive birds, and it might facilitate routine screening in captive birds, thereby improving infection detection, prevention, and control.
Item Type: | Journal Article | |||||||||
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Subjects: | Q Science > QL Zoology | |||||||||
Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Life Sciences (2010- ) | |||||||||
SWORD Depositor: | Library Publications Router | |||||||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Haemosporida, Birds -- Diseases -- Detection, Feathers, Polymerase chain reaction -- Diagnostic use | |||||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Scientific Reports | |||||||||
Publisher: | Nature Publishing Group UK | |||||||||
ISSN: | 2045-2322 | |||||||||
Official Date: | 4 October 2023 | |||||||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | 13 | |||||||||
Number: | 1 | |||||||||
Article Number: | 16712 | |||||||||
DOI: | 10.1038/s41598-023-43932-y | |||||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | |||||||||
Publication Status: | Published | |||||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Open Access (Creative Commons) | |||||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 7 December 2023 | |||||||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 7 December 2023 | |||||||||
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant: |
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