Exo-erythrocytic stages of Haemoproteus sp. in common buzzard (Buteo buteo): A histopathological and molecular study. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shokrani, Hamidreza; Norouzian, Hassan; Dezfoulian, Omid
• Is Part Of: International journal for parasitology. Volume 16(2021)
• Page Start: 64
• Page End: 69
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Haemosporidians -- Leucocytozoon -- Co-infection -- Cytochrome b -- Phylogenetic analysis; Parasites -- Periodicals; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Animals -- Periodicals; Wildlife diseases -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Animals, Wild -- Periodicals; Animals; Parasites; Parasitology; Wildlife diseases; Periodicals; 591.7857
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.07.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2244

Abstract

Abstract: Haemosporidian parasites are responsible for anemia, acute tissue degeneration, and depopulation in wild birds. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of haemosporidians and also morphologic and molecular evaluation of tissue stages of Haemoproteus sp. in common buzzards ( Buteo buteo ). Eleven free-living common buzzards were referred to the Avian Clinic of Veterinary School of Lorestan University with lethargy, weight loss, and ataxia. Gametocytes of Leucocytozoon buteonis were found in blood smears of six (54.5 %) birds, while one had simultaneous infection with blood stages of Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon. During histopathological examinations, exo-erythrocytic stages of the genus Haemoproteus were seen in the lung and kidney of a dead bird. This study is the first report of exo-erythrocytic infection of Haemoproteus in common buzzards. Molecular assays confirmed the infection of Haemoproteus sp. (lineage BUTBUT15) in tissue samples. Phylogenetic analysis using cytochrome b gene suggested that BUTBUT15 was more closely related to the lineages isolated from the family Falconidae in contrast to the Accipitridae. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: High prevalence of L. buteonis (54.5 %) in free-living common buzzards. Detection and identification of Haemoproteus sp. meronts (lineage BUTBUT15) in lung and kidney of a common buzzard. Haemoproteus sp. was more related to the lineages recorded from Falco spp.