Downloads provided by UsageCounts
Efficiently tracking and anticipating the dynamics of infectious agents in wild populations requires the gathering of large numbers of samples, if possible at several locations and points in time, which can be a challenge for some species. Testing for the presence of specific maternal antibodies in egg yolks sampled on the colonies could represent an efficient way to quantify the exposure of breeding females to infectious agents, particularly when using an abundant and widespread species, such as the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis). We used such an approach to explore spatio-temporal patterns of exposure to Toxoplasma gondii, a pathogenic protozoan responsible of toxoplasmosis in humans and other warm-blooded vertebrates. First, we tested the validity of this approach by exploring the repeatability of the detection of specific antibodies at the egg level using two different immunoassays and at the clutch level using an occupancy model. Then, samples gathered in 15 colonies from France, Spain and Tunisia were analysed using an immunoassay detecting antibodies specifically directed against T. gondii. Prevalence of specific antibodies in eggs was overall high while varying significantly among colonies. These results revealed that T. gondii circulated at a large spatial scale in the western Mediterranean yellow-legged gull population, highlighting its potential role in the maintenance community of this parasite. Additionally, this study illustrates how species commensal to human populations like large gulls can be used as wildlife sentinels for the tracking of infectious agents at the human-wildlife interface, notably by sampling eggs.
Immunoassay, 570, Chromista, Eco-epidemiology, Stable isotope analysis, Toxoplasma gondii, Biodiversity, Sampling strategy, Article, QL1-991, Eucoccidiida, [SDV.SPEE] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Santé publique et épidémiologie, Sarcocystidae, [SDV.SPEE]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Santé publique et épidémiologie, Miozoa, Mediterranean region, Zoology, Taxonomy
Immunoassay, 570, Chromista, Eco-epidemiology, Stable isotope analysis, Toxoplasma gondii, Biodiversity, Sampling strategy, Article, QL1-991, Eucoccidiida, [SDV.SPEE] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Santé publique et épidémiologie, Sarcocystidae, [SDV.SPEE]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Santé publique et épidémiologie, Miozoa, Mediterranean region, Zoology, Taxonomy
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 14 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
| views | 43 | |
| downloads | 77 |

Views provided by UsageCounts
Downloads provided by UsageCounts