Apparent Absence of Parahaemoproteus lophortyx and Other Hematozoa in North Florida Populations of Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus)

Abstract

Parahaemoproteus lophortyx (formerly Haemoproteus lophortyx) is known to infect populations of bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) in California and to lead to considerable mortalities in these birds. Populations of bobwhite quail in Florida have never been surveyed for the presence of this parasite. The goal of this study was to determine whether P. lophortyx is present in populations of bobwhite quail in north Florida. To achieve this goal, blood was drawn from 294 bobwhite quail from 4 study sites in north Florida from 19 June 2007 to 1 August 2007. Blood smears were made, stained with Giemsa, and examined under x1,000 magnification for the presence of Parahaemoproteus lophortyx. No gametocytes were noted in any of the blood smears. Thirty randomly chosen samples were examined via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This procedure may detect parasitemias too low to detect by microscopy. No PCR-positive samples were detected, however, adding support to the absence of hematozoa in Florida populations of bobwhite quail.