Abstract
The first report of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) infected with a novel Hepatozoon species is presented. An intraleukocytic parasite was detected via routine blood smear from a zoo-housed giant panda at the National Zoological Park. Ribosomal DNA sequences indicated a previously undescribed Hepatozoon species. Phylogenetic and distance analyses of the sequences placed it within its own branch, clustered with Old World species with carnivore (primarily ursid and mustelid) hosts. Retrospective and opportunistic testing of other individuals produced additional positive detections (17/23, 73.9%), demonstrating 100% prevalence (14/14) across five institutions. All animals were asymptomatic at time of sampling, and health implications for giant pandas remain unknown.
Highlights
This report describes a novel Hepatozoon parasite found in zoo-housed giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
We found two paraphyletic H. felis clades, with one falling out as a poorly supported sister clade to H. americanum
Like many wildlife species found with asymptomatic Hepatozoon infections (Clark et al, 1973; McCully et al, 1975; Pawar et al, 2012), the individuals tested here displayed no apparent clinical illness attributable to hepatozoonosis
Summary
This report describes a novel Hepatozoon parasite found in zoo-housed giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Giant pandas are ursids native to central China and an iconic flagship species for conservation. Blasts to GenBank sequences from morphologically identified specimens and phylogenetic analyses confirmed identification of the parasite lineage to genus (Hepatozoon).
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