Ornithodoros peringueyi (Argasidae) and Xenopsylla trispinis (Siphonaptera), probable intermediate hosts of Hepatozoon atticorae of the South African Cliff Swallow, Hirundo spilodera

Abstract

Developing and mature oocysts of Hepatozoon atticorae of the Hirundinidae were detected in the haemolymph of 60% f the Ornithodoros peringueyi (Argasidae) and 25% of the Xenopsylla trispinis (Pulicidae) that occurred in a colony of South African Cliff Swallows (Hirundo spilodera). Fifty-seven percent of the adult birds harboured the hepatozoan, but none of the eight immature swallows examined were infected. It is speculated that the adult birds become infected by ingesting infected arthropods while preening.