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Studies of parasitism in chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica) are infrequent and mainly refer to the identification and description of its parasites, with little ecological data. In an attempt to address that lack of knowledge, we collected endo- and ecto-parasites from 326 live and four dead of chinstrap penguins, in three different localities of Antarctica not studied before. Three species of endoparasites and two of ectoparasites were found parasitizing birds: two tapeworms, Tetrabothrius pauliani (Cestoda: Tetrabothriidae) and Parorchites zederi (Cestoda: Dilepididae); one roundworm, Stegophorus macronectes (Nematoda: Acuariidae), and one feather louse: Austrogoniodes gressitti (Insecta: Phthiraptera: Philopteridae). Ticks (Ixodes uriae—Acari: Ixodidae) were collected from the ground near the penguin nesting colonies at two localities, Shirreff Cape and Narebsky Point. New ecological data are given for the two species of ectoparasites. No parasites were found in the blood collected from 300 live penguins.

The Black-browed Albatross (BBA, Thalassarche melanophrys) and the Grey-headed Albatross (GHA, Thalassarche chrysostoma) are long-lived sympatric species breeding in the Atlantic and Pacific sections of the Southern Ocean. While the Atlantic populations of these two species have been the subject of several studies, little information is available on the most important colonies in the Southeast Pacific Ocean (Chile). The presence of parasites in these long-lived hosts has been described for the colonies in the Southern Atlantic, but not in those from Chile. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify ectoparasites and hemoparasites associated with both species breeding in the Diego Ramirez Archipelago (56°S) in Southern Chile. Chicks were examined for ectoparasites during the breeding seasons in 2010 and 2011 (GHA, n = 80; BBA, n = 40). Parasites were collected manually, mounted, and identified to species level. The sex and developmental stage of adult ectoparasites were also determined. Ectoparasites were detected on 78.75 and 32.50% of GHA and BBA chicks, respectively. A total of 126 ectoparasites were obtained: 103 Ixodes uriae ticks (GHA 79.62%, BBA 20.38%); 22 Parapsyllus longicornis fleas (GHA = 31.8%, BBA = 68.2%); and a single Austromenopon affine louse (found on GHA). Diego Ramirez represents a new record and distribution range for I. uriae and A. affine. The presence of hemoparasites was explored on blood smears for GHA (n = 26) and BBA (n = 119), but none were recorded in either of these albatrosses.

Anthropogenic activity in Antarctica constitutes a continuous risk for the introduction of infectious diseases into indigenous wildlife populations. Penguin colonies living close to human settlements or inhabiting in areas considered for tourism could be facing a greater threat of infection. Fecal samples from Pygoscelis penguins (Pygoscelis spp.) were collected from different sites within Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands Islands in order to assess the presence of Salmonella enterica. Bacterial identification and characterization was performed applying biochemical and molecular techniques. Isolates were tested for antimicrobial resistance by the disk diffusion method, and PCR analyses were used for detection of resistance and virulence-associated genes. Four samples (1.74%) from P. papua were found to be positive to S. enterica serovar Enteritidis strains. All of them showed phenotypic antimicrobial resistance to at least three antimicrobials, and shared a similar gene profile through PCR. Results in this study urgently call for improvements in sanitary standards for waste disposal and sewage treatment in Antarctica. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report antimicrobial resistance in S. enterica isolated from Antarctic wild species.

Historically wildlife conservation was based on habitat protection and exploitation control. Only recently have diseases been considered an important issue. However, pathogens are usually described during or after disease outbreaks, but to determine which pathogens may be emerging, surveys of wildlife health are critical in a given time. This study deals with the health status of gentoo penguins Pygoscelis papua in two localities at the Antarctica Peninsula and one at Ardley Island off the South Shetland Islands. Cloacal swaps, fresh fecal samples, ectoparasites, and blood smears were collected. We examined and dissected 14 penguin corpses found dead. Fecal samples were positive for Campylobacter, Escherichia coli and in the carcasses four endoparasitic species were found: Diphyllobothrium sp. and Parorchites zederi, Corynosoma shackletoni and Stegophorus adeliae. The tick Ixodes uriae occurred in five of the examined penguins, and the louse Austrogoniodes gressitti on six birds. From the colony grounds, we collected 1,184 I. uriae. We recorded antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as E. coli, in ecosystems where gentoo penguins breed. Cloacal samples (300) were negative for Chlamydia, as well as for Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, Newcastle and Influenza viruses.