Back to Search Start Over

Comparative Analysis of the Exo-Erythrocytic Development of Five Lineages of Haemoproteus majoris, a Common Haemosporidian Parasite of European Passeriform Birds

Authors :
Mélanie Duc
Tanja Himmel
Josef Harl
Tatjana Iezhova
Nora Nedorost
Julia Matt
Mikas Ilgūnas
Herbert Weissenböck
Gediminas Valkiūnas
Source :
Pathogens, Vol 12, Iss 7, p 898 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

Haemoproteus parasites (Apicomplexa, Haemosporida) are widespread pathogens of birds, with a rich genetic (about 1900 lineages) and morphospecies (178 species) diversity. Nonetheless, their life cycles are poorly understood. The exo-erythrocytic stages of three Haemoproteus majoris (widespread generalist parasite) lineages have been previously reported, each in a different bird species. We aimed to further study and compare the development of five H. majoris lineages—hCCF5, hCWT4, hPARUS1, hPHSIB1, and hWW2—in a wider selection of natural avian hosts. A total of 42 individuals belonging to 14 bird species were sampled. Morphospecies and parasitemia were determined by microscopy of blood films, lineages by DNA-barcoding a 478 bp section of the cytochrome b gene, and exo-erythrocytic stages by histology and chromogenic in situ hybridization. The lineage hCWT4 was morphologically characterized as H. majoris for the first time. All lineage infections exclusively featured megalomeronts. The exo-erythrocytic stages found in all examined bird species were similar, particularly for the lineages hCCF5, hPARUS1, and hPHSIB1. Megalomeronts of the lineages hWW2 and hCWT4 were more similar to each other than to the former three lineages. The kidneys and gizzard were most often affected, followed by lungs and intestines; the site of development showed variation depending on the lineage.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20760817
Volume :
12
Issue :
7
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Pathogens
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.7558e8ecabbf43109309da2a1d8ad3f9
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12070898