Front Vet Sci. 2026 Jul 8;13:1886000. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1886000. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Wildlife trafficking exposes parrots to stressful conditions that favor the transmission of infectious pathogens, including Salmonella pullorum and Mycoplasma gallisepticum. This study aimed to investigate seroreactivity against these pathogens and to evaluate the associated clinical, morphological, biochemical, metabolic, and hematological alterations in Amazona aestiva and Amazona amazonica parrots rescued from wildlife trafficking.
METHODS: Twenty-nine parrots rescued from wildlife trafficking were subjected to physical examination, morphological evaluation, hematological and biochemical analyses, and Rapid Serum Agglutination (RSA) testing for antibodies against M. gallisepticum and S. pullorum. Statistical comparisons were performed between reactive and non-reactive groups to identify laboratory alterations associated with seroreactivity.
RESULTS: Seroreactivity to M. gallisepticum was observed in 21.73% of A. aestiva and 14.3% of A. amazonica. For S. pullorum, 36.4% (8/22; 95% CI: 16.3-56.6%) of A. aestiva and 28.6% (2/7; 95% CI: 3.7-71.0%) of A. amazonica tested positive. Birds reactive to S. pullorum exhibited significantly lower total protein concentrations, whereas M. gallisepticum-reactive birds showed significantly lower leukocyte counts and higher glucose concentrations. Significant differences were also observed in calcium and sodium concentrations among groups. Reactive birds presented clinical alterations compatible with gastrointestinal and respiratory involvement, as well as changes in body condition and feather quality.
DISCUSSION: The findings indicate that parrots rescued from wildlife trafficking and reactive to S. pullorum or M. gallisepticum may exhibit important clinical and laboratory alterations suggestive of multisystemic impairment. As the RSA test detects circulating agglutinating antibodies without distinguishing immunoglobulin classes or confirming active infection, positive results should be interpreted as evidence of previous exposure and immune response rather than current infection. Nevertheless, the findings reinforce the importance of sanitary surveillance, screening programs, and appropriate clinical management in wildlife rehabilitation centers to support animal health, conservation efforts, and prevention of pathogen dissemination.
PMID:42488904 | PMC:PMC13390629 | DOI:10.3389/fvets.2026.1886000
