High Abundance of Haemoproteus Parasites in Culicoides (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae), with a Confirmation of Culicoides reconditus as a New Vector of These Avian Blood Parasites

Insects, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(3), P. 157 - 157

Published: Feb. 26, 2024

Haemoproteus parasites are the most diverse among Haemosporida. However, their natural vectors (Culicoides) still poorly investigated and were identified for only a few parasite species lineages. The application of an integrative approach (insect dissection, microscopic analysis, molecular-based methods) is necessary in these studies, which have been carried out by research groups, mainly Europe. aim this study was (i) to determine Culicoides that naturally infected parasites, can support its complete sporogonic development, (ii) investigate prevalence lineages different sites. In total, 1953 parous females, from 11 species, collected four localities Lithuania dissected analyzed using approach. abundant C. pictipennis (30.3%). Parasite DNA found 7.9% all Culicoides, ~30% had sporozoites salivary glands, confirming vector competence parasites. Botanical Garden presented highest number lineages, as well positivity sporozoites. reconditus confirmed six reported first time, 12 new interactions between identified. seem be transmitted high with kibunensis, pictipennis, segnis being important vectors.

Language: Английский

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First assessment of the prevalence of haemosporidian infections in Accipitriformes raptors in Greece

Parasitology Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 124(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Haemosporidians, a group of vector-borne parasites that parasitize the blood cells and internal organs various animal species, are reported to cause severe pathology in raptors. Species belonging genera Plasmodium , Haemoproteus Leucocytozoon ones greatest wildlife importance. The common buzzard ( Buteo buteo ) Eurasian sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus most numerous raptor species Europe. Reliable data is lacking for many Greece. aim this study was assess, first time, prevalence geographical distribution haemosporidian infection (mainly these two avian Greece, correlation with risk factors age sex. In total, 62 buzzards 26 sparrowhawks were included study, all being admitted treatment at Greek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Blood samples collected microscopical analysis performed after staining smears Giemsa. DNA extracted from each sample fraction mitochondrial cytochrome b gene amplified by nested PCR protocol. All positive subjected sequencing. Total morphological molecular examination 59% 73.9%, respectively. Binary logistic regression carried out. prevalent spp. Most had mixed infections. isolated genetic lineages BUBT2, BUBT3, MILVUS01, ACNI1, BUBO01 MILANS04. detected TURDUS1, BT7 DONANA02. A new lineage, BUTBUT17, also identified.

Language: Английский

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Avian haemosporidian parasites affecting non-descript village chickens in Africa

Tropical Animal Health and Production, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 57(2)

Published: Jan. 20, 2025

Language: Английский

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Leucocytozoon infections in tits (Aves, Paridae): blood and tissue stages investigated using an integrative approach

Parasite, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 32, P. 13 - 13

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Leucocytozoon species are cosmopolitan and prevalent avian parasites, with some infections being lethal, mainly due to the exo-erythrocytic development of parasite in bird tissues. The patterns spp. wild birds remain poorly studied. This study investigated tissue stages tits (Paridae). Great ( Parus major ), Blue Cyanistes caeruleus Coal Periparus ater ) were screened for using an integrative approach that consisted microscopic analysis thin blood smears, histological techniques, chromogenic situ hybridization (CISH), PCR-based methods, phylogenetic analysis. In total, 41 individuals analyzed (eight naturally infected selected euthanized, 33 found dead opportunistically sampled). Among birds, all microscopically positive also PCR-positive these parasites. Co-infections Plasmodium Haemoproteus commonly found, among sampled birds. Two morphotypes identified, majoris (Laveran, 1902) fringillinarum Woodcock, 1910. Tissue present three exclusively during non-breeding season, two them meronts developing kidneys liver, one individual a megalomeront heart. All confirmed be by CISH genus-specific probe. Phylogenetic placed lineages different separate clades. developmental passerines understood, requiring further research.

Language: Английский

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Molecular Prevalence of Avian Haemosporidian Parasites in Southeast Asia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Animals, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(5), P. 636 - 636

Published: Feb. 21, 2025

In this study, for the first time, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to understand prevalence genetic diversity of haemosporidian parasites—namely, Plasmodium, Haemoproteus Leucocytozoon—in avian species in Southeast Asia. Following PRISMA guidelines, 14,211 studies retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect Scopus, which contain data relevant ‘Plasmodium’ or ‘Haemoproteus’ ‘Leucocytozoon’ ‘birds’ ‘chickens’. Of these, 15 articles reporting Leucocytozoon Asia selected meta-analysis. The pooled estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) analyzed using their proportions, implemented R programming. publication bias was checked funnel plot Egger’s test. Consequently, prevalences found be 21% (95% CI: 18–25%), 18% 15–22%) 34% 30–37%), respectively. Plasmodium domestic poultry (37.94%) significantly higher than wild birds (6.46%). There substantial heterogeneity among related (χ2 = 171.50, p < 0.0001, I2 94.84%), 52.20, 90.4%) 433.90, 98.80%). Additionally, revealed 23 lineages 35 21 reported both conclusion, suggested that parasites is high. Particularly, has high suggesting monitoring parasite should production system. Furthermore, several are undescribed species. Further experimental combined microscopic molecular techniques might reveal characteristics overlooked parasites.

Language: Английский

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First report of Matryoshka RNA virus in an African-European migrant bird

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(3), P. e0319395 - e0319395

Published: March 4, 2025

Viruses are diverse biological entities found virtually in all environments on Earth. Their association with parasitic protozoans was shown the late 1980's, followed by evidence that these viruses can influence treatment of infections as well parasite virulence. Recently, Matryoshka RNA (MaRNAV) were discovered Plasmodium vivax infected patients Malaysia, species closely related avian haemosporidian genera Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus Oceania North America. However, they have not been reported other continents so far. The aim this study thus to screen European birds (African migrants residents) for presence MaRNAV. Whole blood samples from wild collected Lithuania May 2023. Haemosporidian first assessed microscopic examination later confirmed via PCR. isolated tested Reverse Transcriptase (RT) PCR Of 12 RT-PCR-positive, only one a common whitethroat (Curruca communis) had sequence 63% similarity MARNAV-2 Oceania. Total sample sequenced, bioinformatically analyzed, new virus, MaRNAV-7, identified. At amino acid level, it is phylogenetically MaRNAV-2, MaRNAV-3 MaRNAV-6 RdRp sequences, birds. This report MaRNAV an African-European bird, step understanding prevalence, distribution, specificity. effects parasites, modulation host immune response transmission rates remain unknown.

Language: Английский

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Blood parasite infection causes marginal temporary costs in juvenile birds of prey

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: April 28, 2025

Physiological costs from parasites arise host colonization and defence activation can vary according to the interactions of parasite traits states. Parasite-induced crucially differ between stages infection, but this is difficult assess in wild vertebrates. To evaluate effects blood infection juvenile birds, we compared physiological measures common buzzard nestlings ( Buteo buteo ) with Leucocytozoon toddi , a Plasmodium -like pathogen. We related proxies damage experimentally manipulated intensity. expected be higher for hosts at onset during peak parasitemia than decreasing uninfected ones. found body condition initially negatively correlated intensity, relationship disappeared by late infection. Furthermore, there was no difference growth rate other among stages. This indicates negligible parasitism transient virulence nestling stage host. diminish infection-driven mortality, juveniles may evolve particularly parasite-tolerant, further enhancing transmission population. Our results demonstrate necessity including courses rather point estimates models fitness

Language: Английский

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Co-infecting Haemoproteus species (Haemosporida, Apicomplexa) show different host tissue tropism during exo-erythrocytic development in Fringilla coelebs (Fringillidae)

International Journal for Parasitology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 54(1), P. 1 - 22

Published: Aug. 19, 2023

Avian haemosporidians of the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon are common blood parasites in wild birds all over world. Despite their importance as pathogens potentially compromising host fitness health, little is known about exo-erythrocytic development these parasites, particularly during co-infections which predominate wildlife. This study aimed to address this issue using Haemoproteus Fringilla coelebs, a bird species Western Palearctic variety haemosporidian parasite lineages. Blood tissue samples 20 F. positive for by film microscopy, were analysed PCR sequencing determine cytochrome b lineages parasites. Tissue sections examined stages histology situ hybridization applying genus-, species-, lineage-specific probes target 18S rRNA In addition, laser microdissection was performed identify Combined molecular results PCR, microdissection, showed high rate co-infections, with dominating. Exo-erythrocytic meronts five spp. described first time, including magnus hCCF6, fringillae hCCF3, majoris hCCF5, sp. hROFI1, hCCF2. Merogonic observed vascular system, presenting formerly unknown mode Meronts megalomeronts distinct regarding morphology organ distribution, indicating species-specific patterns merogony different tropism. New pathological aspects haemoproteosis reported. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis regard points towards separation non-megalomeront-forming from megalomeront-forming species, calling further studies on explore character trait.

Language: Английский

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Leucocytozoon Infection Does Not Influence the Survival of Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus Nestlings

Avian Diseases, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 68(2)

Published: May 23, 2024

La infección por Leucocytozoon no influye en la supervivencia de los polluelos mochuelo boreal Aegolius funereus. Se ha observado que afecta ecología y fisiología reproductiva las aves hospedadoras, pero su influencia aún está completamente determinada. investigó el efecto intensidad Leucocytozoon, determinada mediante análisis muestras PCR triplicado, sobre 256 (Aegolius funereus) durante un estudio ocho años. Contrariamente a nuestras expectativas, probabilidad se vio influenciada Leucocytozoon. edad padres machos hembras tampoco afectaron polluelos. En cambio, abundancia alimento orden eclosión fueron principales factores influyeron Además, observó una significativamente mayor comparación con sugiere clara división roles parentales puede llevar permanecen dentro cajas nido (cavidades) experimenten menor exposición vectores potenciales transmitan parásitos sanguíneos individuos adultos masculinos. Nuestro muestra enfermedad ser letal para boreal, ya exhiben debajo del promedio sus machos.

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Prevalence and Diversity of Blood Parasites (Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon and Trypanosoma) in Backyard Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) Raised in Southern Thailand

Animals, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(17), P. 2798 - 2798

Published: Sept. 3, 2023

Avian malaria and leucocytozoonosis can cause fatal diseases, whereas avian trypanosomiasis is reported to be harmless in chickens. Backyard chickens infected by several pathogens, including blood parasites, that may shed industrial poultry production, with a consequently higher economic impact. This study aimed investigate the presence of parasites (Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon Trypanosoma) backyard raised Southern Thailand, using PCR-based detection microscopic methods. From June 2021 2022, 57 were sampled. Fresh thin smears prepared from 11 individuals, buffy coat 55 them. Both used for analysis. Two nested PCR protocols amplify fragment cytochrome b (cytb) small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) genes identify Haemosporida Trypanosoma respectively. The number positive samples was application than when used. Three new Plasmodium lineages (GALLUS47-49) thirteen (GALLUS50-62) found. Trophozoites, meronts gametocytes gallinaceum (GALLUS01) present one smear. All revealed infections, but only three single infection. These fusiform host cell-parasite complexes, which morphological features resembled those macleani (possible synonym sabrazesi), while cytb showed this parasite closely related lineage GALLUS06-07, described as schouteni. prevalence 33.33%; it smears, resembles calmettei. high diversity (64.91%) (89.47%) Thai nested-PCR smear diagnostic tool testing Plasmodium, parasitic control farms. information on species found Thailand also considered baseline further study.

Language: Английский

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