Avian haemosporidian parasites in captive and free-ranging, wild birds from zoological institutions in Switzerland: Molecular characterization and clinical importance. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meister, Seraina L.; Wyss, Fabia; Wenker, Christian; Hoby, Stefan; Basso, Walter U.
• Is Part Of: International journal for parasitology. Volume 20(2023)
• Page Start: 46
• Page End: 55
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: Avian malaria -- Avian haemosporidia -- Plasmodium -- Haemoproteus -- Birds -- PCR; 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.2022.12.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2244

Abstract

Abstract: Avian haemosporidian parasites are widespread and infect birds from a broad variety of avian families with diverse consequences ranging from subclinical infections to severe and fatal disease. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and diversity of avian haemosporidia including associated clinical signs and pathomorphological lesions in captive and free-ranging, wild birds from two zoos and the near environment in Switzerland. Blood samples from 475 birds, including 230 captive and 245 free-ranging, wild individuals belonging to 42 different avian species from 15 orders were examined for the presence of avian haemosporidian DNA by a one-step multiplex PCR designed to simultaneously detect and discriminate the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon by targeting mitochondrial genome sequences. Positive samples were additionally tested using a nested PCR targeting the cytochrome b gene of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus . The obtained amplicons were bidirectionally sequenced. This study revealed haemosporidian DNA in 42 samples, belonging to ten host species. The most commonly detected lineage was Plasmodium relictum SGS1, which was identified in 29 birds ( Phoenicopterus roseus : n = 24, Alectoris graeca : n = 1, Lamprotornis superbus : n = 1, Somateria mollissima : n = 1, Spheniscus demersus : n = 1, Tetrao urogallus crassirostris : n = 1), followed by Haemoproteus sp. STRURA03 in six avian hosts ( Bubo bubo : n = 5, Bubo scandiacus = 1), Plasmodium relictum GRW11 in four individuals ( Phoenicopterus roseus : n = 3, Spheniscus demersus : n = 1) and Plasmodium elongatum GRW06 in one Alectura lathami lathami . A Phalacrocorax carbo was infected with Plasmodium relictum, but the exact lineage could not be determined. One mixed infection with P. relictum and Haemoproteus sp. was detected in a Bubo scandiacus . Only five individuals ( Spheniscus demersus : n = 2, Somateria mollissima : n = 1, Bubo scandiacus : n = 1, Alectoris graeca : n = 1) showed clinical and pathomorphological evidence of a haemosporidian infection. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Avian heamosporidian parasites were detected in captive birds in Switzerland. Plasmodium relictum, P. elongatum and Haemoproteus were found in 10 bird species. Subclinical and clinical infections were recorded. Genus Spheniscus, Somateria, Bubo and Alectoris showed clinical avian malaria. Leucocytozoon was not detected in any of the blood samples.