<i>Haemoproteus</i> spp. and <i>Leucocytozoon californicus</i> Coinfection in a Merlin (<i>Falco colombarius</i>)


Nardoni, Simona, Parisi, Francesca, Rocchigiani, Guido ORCID: 0000-0002-3742-7636, Ceccherelli, Renato, Mancianti, Francesca and Poli, Alessandro (2020) <i>Haemoproteus</i> spp. and <i>Leucocytozoon californicus</i> Coinfection in a Merlin (<i>Falco colombarius</i>). PATHOGENS, 9 (4). E263-.

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Abstract

The <i>Leucocytozoon</i> genus comprises numerous widely distributed parasites which have been less investigated than other avian hemoprotozoa. Their occurrence is common, with very variable prevalence values and pathogenicity degrees. <i>Leucocytozoon</i> species are characterized by a great taxonomic diversity, and infections are usually restricted to birds of the same family. In the present paper, a mixed hemosporidia infection by <i>Leucocytozoon californicus</i> and <i>Haemoproteus</i> sp. in an adult male merlin (<i>Falco columbarius</i>) which died during hospitalisation is reported, indicating, for the first time, a newly described avian host species. A molecular investigation was carried out through <i>cytochrome</i> b gene analysis, revealing a 100% match with <i>L. californicus</i> and <i>Haemoproteus</i> spp. A blood smear examination allowed us to detect <i>Leucocytozoon</i> fusiform mature gametocytes and different degrees of maturity of <i>Haemoproteus</i> gametocytes. Histopathology revealed foci of necrosis, hemorrhagic areas and extramedullary hematopoiesis in the liver, the presence of microthrombi in the heart and lung and scattered hemorrhages in the lung.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Leucocytozoon californicus, Haemoproteus sp, Falco columbarius, PCR, anatomopathological findings
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 12 Dec 2023 16:23
Last Modified: 25 Jan 2024 13:41
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9040263
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3177285
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