Dr. João Lozano (Lisboa / PT), Ms. Cristina Almeida (Lisboa / PT), Mr. Eduardo Vicente (Lisboa / PT), Ms. Daniela Sebastião (Lisboa / PT), Prof. Dr. Manuela Oliveira (Lisboa / PT), Prof. Dr. Adolfo Paz-Silva (Lugo / ES), Prof. Dr. Luís Madeira de Carvalho (Lisboa / PT)
Abstract text
Introduction: Since the late 1990"s, it has been demonstrated that the use of predatory fungi is a sustainable approach for the integrated control of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites affecting domestic, exotic and wild captive animals. However, studies performed in birds are still scarce.
Objectives: This pioneer research aimed to assess the in vivo efficacy of using the ovicidal fungus M. circinelloides for reducing coccidia shedding in a peacock collection.
Materials & methods: This trial was performed between October and December 2022, in the resident peacock collection (n=60 birds) of São Jorge Castle, at Lisbon, Portugal. A total of 33 fungal administrations were performed, P.O. and 3x/week, using supplements composed by 600 g of bird feed mixed with 60 mL of a M. circinelloides (FMV-FR1) suspension (106 spores/bird). Feces were collected every 15 days, and then processed and analysed using the Mini-FLOTAC technique, to calculate the coccidia shedding (Oocysts per Gram of Feces – OPG). This bird collection served simultaneously as control (t0 days) and test group (t15-t90 days). Parasite shedding for each test timeframe was compared with control, using the Mann-Whitney Test, while the appearance of samples (normal vs blood and/or diarrhoea) was assessed using the Fisher Exact Test (95% significancy).
Results: Peacocks were initially positive for Eimeria sp. (20107 ± 8034 OPG), and 88% (15/17) of the samples had normal appearance. Afterwards, it was possible to observe an overall decrease in the coccidia shedding, with reduction efficacies of 62%, 78%, 78%, 92%, 70% e 59%, after 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days of fungal feeding, respectively, and with the values for days 45 and 60 being significant (p=0.004 and p=0.012, respectively). Finally, feces appearance did not differ between each test timeframe and the control time point.
Conclusion: This strain of M. circinelloides was effective in reducing coccidia parasitism in peacocks, being the first study of this kind in birds, worldwide. Results suggest that this fungal strain might be used in integrated programs for the GI parasite control.
Funding: This research was funded by CIISA/FMV Project UIDB/00276/2020 and LA/P/0059/2020 - AL4AnimalS (both funded by FCT). Also, João Lozano owns a PhD research fellowship 2020.09037.BD (funded by FCT).