<i>Sarcocystis rileyi</i> in UK free-living wildfowl (Anatidae): surveillance, histopathology and first molecular characterisation

Muir, A, Ellis, M, Blake, DP, Chantrey, J ORCID: 0000-0002-4801-7034, Strong, EA, Reeves, JP and Cromie, RL (2020) <i>Sarcocystis rileyi</i> in UK free-living wildfowl (Anatidae): surveillance, histopathology and first molecular characterisation. VETERINARY RECORD, 186 (6). p. 185.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.105638

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Reports from UK hunters of 'rice grains' in muscles of shot wildfowl (Anatidae) coincided temporally with the finding of sarcocystosis in a number of ducks found as part of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust long-term general surveillance of found dead waterbirds. <i>Sarcocystis rileyi</i> has also been relatively recently confirmed in wildfowl in north-eastern Europe.<h4>Methods</h4>This study uses four approaches to investigate UK wildfowl sarcocystosis: first, through a hunter questionnaire that captured historical case data; secondly, through an online reporting system; thirdly, DNA sequencing to characterise UK cases; and fourthly, histological myopathy assessment of infected pectoral muscle.<h4>Results</h4>Our questionnaire results suggest <i>Sarcocystis</i> infection is widely distributed throughout the UK and observed in 10 Anatidae species, reported cases increased since the 2010/2011 shooting season, with the online reporting system reflecting this increase. DNA sequencing (18S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer-1 region) of UK isolates confirmed <i>S rileyi</i> in the five dabbling duck host species tested and the associated histopathological myopathy is described.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This work highlights an emerging issue to European wildfowl species and provides much opportunity for further research, including the impacts of <i>S rileyi</i> and the described myopathy on host health, fitness and survival.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Animals, Animals, Wild, Ducks, Sarcocystis, Sarcocystosis, Bird Diseases, Sentinel Surveillance, Female, Male, United Kingdom
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	02 Dec 2019 14:20
Last Modified:	14 Oct 2023 11:37
DOI:	10.1136/vr.105638
Open Access URL:	https://researchonline.rvc.ac.uk/id/eprint/12398/1...
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3059295