Prevalence and diversity of avian haematozoan parasites in wetlands of bangladesh.

Rubayet Elahi,Mohammad Shafiul Alam,Mohammad Sharif Hossain,Ausraful Islam,Suman Kumer Paul,Peter Daszak,Andrea Mikolon,Khaja Mohiuddin,Parviez Rana Hosseini

doi:10.1155/2014/493754

Abstract

The parasites of genera Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon are well-known avian haematozoa and can cause declined productivity and high mortality in wild birds. The objective of the study was to record the prevalence of haematozoan parasites in a wide range of wetland birds in Bangladesh. Six species of Haemoproteus, seven species of Plasmodium, one unidentified species of Leucocytozoon, and one unidentified microfilaria of the genus Paronchocerca were found. Data on the morphology, size, hosts, prevalence, and infection intensity of the parasites are provided. The overall prevalence among the birds was 29.5% (95 out of 322 birds). Of those, 13.2% (42 of 319) of birds were infected with Haemoproteus spp., 15.1% with Plasmodium spp. (48 of 319) and 0.6% with Leucocytozoon spp. (2 of 319). Two birds were positive for both Haemoproteus sp. and Plasmodium sp. A single resident bird, Ardeola grayii, was found positive for an unidentified microfilaria. Prevalence of infection varied significantly among different bird families. Wild birds of Bangladesh carry several types of haematozoan parasites. Further investigation with a larger sample size is necessary to estimate more accurately the prevalence of haematozoan parasites among wild birds as well as domestic ducks for better understanding of the disease ecology.

Highlights

Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon are wellknown genera of avian haematozoa. [1,2,3]
In 2005, five species of Plasmodium genus, one of Haemoproteus genus, and two unidentified microfilariae of different birds were reported from Pakistan [16]
13.2% (42/319) prevalence of infection was recorded for Haemoproteus spp., 15.1% for Plasmodium spp. (48/319), and 0.6% for Leucocytozoon spp. (2/319)

Summary

Introduction

Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon are wellknown genera of avian haematozoa. [1,2,3]. Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon are wellknown genera of avian haematozoa. Parasites of the Plasmodium genus cause avian malaria which has sublethal effects on host fitness. Leucocytozoon typically causes anemia and enlargement of liver and spleen [3, 7]. Earlier research from South and Southeast Asia has reported the prevalence and geographical distribution of avian haematozoa [11,12,13,14,15]. In 2005, five species of Plasmodium genus, one of Haemoproteus genus, and two unidentified microfilariae of different birds were reported from Pakistan [16]. Distributions of Haemoproteus spp. and Plasmodium spp. in rock pigeons (Columba livia) from different areas of India have been described with their prevalence and seasonal variations [17]

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Methods

Conclusion