Hematology, plasma chemistry, serology, and Chlamydophila status of the waved albatross (Phoebastria irrorata) on the Galapagos Islands

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2003 Sep;34(3):278-83. doi: 10.1638/02-076.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bird Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Bird Diseases / microbiology
  • Bird Diseases / virology
  • Birds / blood*
  • Blood Chemical Analysis / veterinary
  • Body Weight
  • Chlamydophila / isolation & purification
  • Chlamydophila Infections / epidemiology
  • Chlamydophila Infections / veterinary*
  • Ecuador / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Hematologic Tests / veterinary
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Reference Values
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Virus Diseases / epidemiology
  • Virus Diseases / veterinary*