Repository logo
 
Publication

Experimental infection by microparasites affects the oxidative balance in their avian reservoir host the blackbird Turdus merula

2018-03Journal article Restricted access
Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorNorte, Ana Cláudia
dc.contributor.authorCostantini, David
dc.contributor.authorAraújo, Pedro Miguel
dc.contributor.authorEens, Marcel
dc.contributor.authorRamos, Jaime Albino
dc.contributor.authorHeylen, Dieter
dc.date.accessioned2019-03-26T15:46:12Z
dc.date.available2019-03-26T15:46:12Z
dc.date.issued2018-03
dc.description.abstractBy draining resources, microparasites can negatively affect the host fitness, which in turn can result in reduced transmission when virulence leads to reductions in host population size. Therefore, for a microparasite to persist in nature, the level of harm it can do to its host is expected to be limited. We tested this hypothesis for tick-borne Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) infections in the blackbird Turdus merula, one of the most important avian reservoir hosts in Europe. Experimental and observational data were combined to examine the physiological effects caused by B. burgdorferi s.l. infection in blackbirds. Pathogen-free blackbirds were exposed to B. burgdorferi s.l.-infected Ixodes ricinus and I. frontalis nymphs, and compared with a control group (exposed to naïve laboratory-derived I. ricinus nymphs). Their physiological status was evaluated before and after infection with B. burgdorferi s.l., through a set of immunological (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, haptoglobin, white blood cell count and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio), oxidative stress (glutathione peroxidase activity, protein carbonyls and nitric oxide) and general body condition variables (body condition, glucose and haematocrit). Infected males showed higher levels of oxidative damage to proteins (increased levels of protein carbonyls), decreased glutathione peroxidase activity and increased body mass. Infected females had higher levels of glutathione peroxidase activity after infection by B. burgdorferi s.l. than the control group. No significant effects of B. burgdorferi s.l. infection were detected on erythrocyte sedimentation rate, haptoglobin, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, nitric oxide, glucose and haematocrit. The first experimental study on the effects of B. burgdorferi s.l. on its avian reservoir hosts shows that these bacteria may inflict non-negligible physiological costs. We speculate that during energetically demanding periods, these physiological costs may reduce host fitness and affect pathogen transmission.pt_PT
dc.description.sponsorshipThis research was supported by the Fund for Scientific Research – Flanders Belgium (grant G0.049.10) and the University of Antwerp (KP BOF UA 2015). This study received financial support from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia - FCT, by the strategic program of MARE (MARE – UID/MAR/04292/2013) and the fellowships to Ana Cláudia Norte (SFRH/BPD/108197/2015 and SFRH/BPD/62898/2009). Dieter Heylen and David Costantini were supported by the Fund for Scientific Research – Flanders Belgium (FWO – postdoctoral fellowships).pt_PT
dc.description.versioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionpt_PT
dc.identifier.citationTicks Tick Borne Dis. 2018 Mar;9(3):720-729. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.02.009. Epub 2018 Feb 16pt_PT
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.02.009pt_PT
dc.identifier.issn1877-959X,
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/6310
dc.language.isoengpt_PT
dc.peerreviewedyespt_PT
dc.publisherElsevierpt_PT
dc.relation.publisherversionhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X17304491?via%3Dihubpt_PT
dc.subjectAnimalspt_PT
dc.subjectDisease Reservoirspt_PT
dc.subjectFemalept_PT
dc.subjectGlutathione Peroxidasept_PT
dc.subjectHost-Parasite Interactionspt_PT
dc.subjectIxodespt_PT
dc.subjectLarvapt_PT
dc.subjectLyme Diseasept_PT
dc.subjectMalept_PT
dc.subjectNymphpt_PT
dc.subjectSongbirdspt_PT
dc.subjectSpecific Pathogen-Free Organismspt_PT
dc.subjectZoonosespt_PT
dc.subjectOxidative Stresspt_PT
dc.subjectInfeções Sistémicas e Zoonosespt_PT
dc.titleExperimental infection by microparasites affects the oxidative balance in their avian reservoir host the blackbird Turdus merulapt_PT
dc.typejournal article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.awardURIinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/5876/UID%2FMAR%2F04292%2F2013/PT
oaire.citation.endPage729pt_PT
oaire.citation.issue3pt_PT
oaire.citation.startPage720pt_PT
oaire.citation.titleTicks and Tick-borne Diseasespt_PT
oaire.citation.volume9pt_PT
oaire.fundingStream5876
project.funder.identifierhttp://doi.org/10.13039/501100001871
project.funder.nameFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
rcaap.embargofctPolítica editorial da revista.pt_PT
rcaap.rightsembargoedAccesspt_PT
rcaap.typearticlept_PT
relation.isProjectOfPublication0dd4a5cd-2c09-4417-9190-3de42fbc5f7c
relation.isProjectOfPublication.latestForDiscovery0dd4a5cd-2c09-4417-9190-3de42fbc5f7c

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
4_Experimental infection by microparasites.pdf
Size:
610.88 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download

Collections

DDI - Artigos em revistas internacionais