Diseases / List of Toxic Diseases / Disease description:

Polychlorinated Biphenyl Toxicity in Waterfowl

INFORMATION AVAILABLE

GENERAL INFORMATION

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS & PATHOLOGY

INVESTIGATION & DIAGNOSIS

TREATMENT & CONTROL

SUSCEPTIBILITY & TRANSMISSION

ENVIRONMENT & GEOGRAPHY

Waterfowl Module Contents

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General and References

Disease Summary
WATERFOWL	Chemical toxicity which may affect behaviour, reproduction and immunology.

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Alternative Names (Synonyms)

PCB Toxicity
Aroclor Toxicity
Chlorinated Biphenyl Toxicity

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Disease Type

Toxic - Chemical

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Infectious/Non-Infectious Agent associated with the Disease
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs, chlorinated biphenyls). Various trade names including Aroclor (USA), Clophens (Germany), Fenclors (Italy), Phenoclors, Pyralenes (France), Kanechlors (Japan) (B36.41.w41).
Infective "Taxa"	--
Non-infective agents	Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Physical agents	-- Indirect / Secondary

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References
Disease Author	Debra Bourne

Major References / Reviews
Code and Title List	B15, B20.7.w5, B36.41.41 J22.170.w1
Other References
Code and Title List	--

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Clinical Characteristics and Pathology

Detailed Clinical and Pathological Characteristics
General	WATERFOWL	Usually chronic subtle effects on behaviour, reproduction and immune system.
Clinical Characteristics	WATERFOWL	Direct mortality very rare. Possible signs include: General: Weight loss, debility Behavioural: lethargy, ataxia, tremors, convulsions, reduced attentiveness to nest and protection of eggs. Reproductive: increased embryo mortality, decreased egg production, egg shell thinning. Immunological: increased susceptibility to infectious diseases (J22.170.w1). Deformities: of bill and/or feet (from embryonic exposure) - confirmed in poultry (chickens). (B15, B20.7.w5, B36.41.41).
Incubation	WATERFOWL	Usually chronic effects (B20.7.w5, B36.41.41).
Mortality / Morbidity	WATERFOWL	Direct mortality rare. Morbidity difficult to quantify (B20.7.w5, B36.41.41).
Pathology	WATERFOWL	ACUTE POISONING: May develop oedema. CHRONIC POISONING: General - emaciation. Liver and kidneys - enlarged Spleen and bursa of Fabricius - atrophied Heart - excess pericardial fluid Embryo: physical defects. (B15, B20.7.w5, B36.41.41).

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Human Health Considerations

May be a risk from eating waterfowl from heavily-contaminated environments (B36.41.41).

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Susceptibility / Transmission

General information on Susceptibility / Transmission

WATERFOWL

PCBs may be acquired from e.g. industrial wastes, landfill sites etc., directly or indirectly e.g. in food items. Present in both marine and freshwater sediments, and in aquatic invertebrates, fish etc.
Fish-eating species are more likely accumulate higher tissue concentrations of PCBs. Levels tend to be higher with increasing age, due to prolonged exposure. Excretion may occur when fat stores are mobilized, including during migration, starvation, breeding etc.
PCBs are passed from females to eggs, decreasing the load of PCBs in the female but exposing the eggs and resulting offspring.

(B20.7.w5, B36.41.41).

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Disease has been reported in either the wild or in captivity in:
Experimental exposure; mallard ducklings Anas platyrhynchos - increased susceptibility to duck hepatitis virus (J22.170.w1). Experimental exposure; mallards Anas platyrhynchos possible egg shell thinning (B36.41.w41). Experimental exposure, in combination with DDE; mallards Anas platyrhynchos reduced reproductive success (B15). Residues detected in common goldeneye Bucephala clangula and hooded merganser Lophodytes cucullatus in Minnesota, USA (B20.7.w5).
Species in which Toxic effects have been recorded	Anas platyrhynchos - Mallard

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Disease has been specifically reported in Free-ranging populations of:
Residues detected in common goldeneye Bucephala clangula and hooded merganser Lophodytes cucullatus in Minnesota, USA (B20.7.w5).
Species in which Toxic effects have been recorded	--

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Environment/Geography

General Information on Environmental Factors/Events and Seasonality

No seasonality to exposure, except possible increased vaporization or evaporation from contaminated areas in warm weather, and therefore greater risk of airborne exposure (B20.7.w5, B36.41.41).

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Regions / Countries where the Infectious Agent or Disease has been recorded

Environmental contamination occurs worldwide (B20.7.w5, B36.41.41).

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Regions / Countries where the Infectious Agent or Disease has been recorded in Free-ranging populations

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General Investigation / Diagnosis

General Information on Investigation / Diagnosis
WATERFOWL	Combination of signs, pathological findings, tissue residues of PCBs, comparED with residues from 'normal' birds of the same species. k Knowledge of local PCB deposition/discharges may be useful for judgement as to possible effects. (B36.42.w42).
Related Techniques	Physical Examination - General Necropsy - General Chapter 2 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen Collection and Preservation Chapter 3 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen shipment Appendix A - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Sample specimen history form

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Similar Diseases (Differential Diagnosis)
WATERFOWL	--

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Treatment and Control

Specific Medical Treatment
WATERFOWL	--
Related Techniques	--

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General Nursing and Surgical Techniques
WATERFOWL	--
Related Techniques	--

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Preventative Measures
Vaccination	WATERFOWL	--
Prophylactic Treatment	WATERFOWL	--
Related Techniques	--
	--

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Environmental and Population Control Measures
General Environment Changes, Cleaning and Disinfection	WATERFOWL	Prevent further deposition/discharge of PCBs into the environment, contain or remove PCBs already in the environment. Avoid using materials or areas with high PCB content for development of wildlife refuges etc. (B36.41.w41).
Population Control Measures	WATERFOWL	As far as possible, discourage waterfowl from using known highly-contaminated sites by use of habitat manipulation, physical barriers, scaring devices etc. (B36.41.w41).
Isolation, Quarantine and Screening	WATERFOWL	--
Related Techniques	Environmental and Population Management - General Chapter 4 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Disease Control Operations

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