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Nourani L, Aliabadian M, Mirshamsi O, Dinparast Djadid N. Prevalence of co-infection and genetic diversity of avian haemosporidian parasites in two rehabilitation facilities in Iran: implications for the conservation of captive raptors. BMC Ecol Evol 2022; 22:114. [PMID: 36209068 PMCID: PMC9547439 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-022-02068-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Various haemosporidian parasites infect raptors, especially captive hosts who may be more exposed. Diagnosis of threatening factors such as infectious diseases indirectly has a significant role in protecting endangered or threatened species that may boost the mortality or extinction resulting from declined reproduction. Few investigations have been performed in captive hosts to detect the prevalence of haemosporidian parasites and define genetic diversity in west Asia. For the first time, the current study was designed to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of haemosporidian parasites in captive raptors by molecular methods in two rehabilitation facilities in North and North-east Iran and to define phylogenetic relationships of detected lineages circulating in raptors. Results Molecular characterization of the haemosporidian parasite was accomplished by PCR-based method and DNA sequencing in 62 captive raptors. The overall prevalence was ~ 36% with higher infection of Haemoproteus spp. than Leucocytozoon spp. Plasmodium infection was not detected in any host. Results showed that 22 individuals (of 10 species) were infected with unique lineages. Genus Haemoproteus was detected in 26.66% of examined individuals (of eight species) and Leucocytozoon was found in 10% of individuals (of four species). The molecular analysis could detect ten lineages (nine Haemoproteus spp. and one Leucocytozoon spp.) which were categorizes as new and six lineages which have been previously detected in the other investigations. Conclusions The Bayesian phylogenetic analysis derived from obtained data in the present study and published lineages in previous investigations indicated the probable host specificity of Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon parasites in several sub-clades at hosts’ order and genus level. As monitoring the parasite loads of captive birds when admitted reduce the risk of infecting hosts in captivity at those locations, we designed this study to determine infection prevalence and genetic diversity of blood parasites in raptors examined in Iran. These results allow mapping of haemosporidian distribution and shed light on the depth of their diversity in Iran to protect species by identification of risk in rehabilitation facilities. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12862-022-02068-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Nourani
- grid.420169.80000 0000 9562 2611Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran ,grid.411301.60000 0001 0666 1211Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mansour Aliabadian
- grid.411301.60000 0001 0666 1211Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran ,grid.411301.60000 0001 0666 1211Research Department of Zoological Innovations (RDZI), Institute of Applied Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Omid Mirshamsi
- grid.411301.60000 0001 0666 1211Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran ,grid.411301.60000 0001 0666 1211Research Department of Zoological Innovations (RDZI), Institute of Applied Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Navid Dinparast Djadid
- grid.420169.80000 0000 9562 2611Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Huang X, Rapševičius P, Chapa-Vargas L, Hellgren O, Bensch S. Within-Lineage Divergence of Avian Haemosporidians: A Case Study to Reveal the Origin of a Widespread Haemoproteus Parasite. J Parasitol 2019. [DOI: 10.1645/18-112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xi Huang
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-22362, Sweden
| | - Paulius Rapševičius
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-22362, Sweden
| | - Leonardo Chapa-Vargas
- Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A.C. Camino a la Presa San José 2055, Lomas 4a Sección, San Luis Potosí, SLP. C.P. 78216, Mexico
| | - Olof Hellgren
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-22362, Sweden
| | - Staffan Bensch
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-22362, Sweden
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Chaisi ME, Osinubi ST, Dalton DL, Suleman E. Occurrence and diversity of avian haemosporidia in Afrotropical landbirds. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019; 8:36-44. [PMID: 30619708 PMCID: PMC6312862 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Avian haemosporidian infections are widespread and can result in the decline of wild bird populations or in some cases contribute to extinction of species. We determined the prevalence and genetic diversity of avian haemosporidia in 93 samples from 22 landbird species from South Africa (N = 76) and West Africa (N = 17), of which six are intra-African migrants and one is a Palearctic migrant. The samples were analysed for the presence of avian haemosporidian DNA using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and nested PCR assays targeting specific mitochondrial genes of these parasites. The cytochrome b (cytb) gene was sequenced for all samples that tested positive and phylogenetic analysis was conducted in order to determine the relationship of the new sequences with previously published sequences from the MalAvi database. The overall prevalence of avian haemosporidiosis was 68.82% (95% CI: 56.4%-78.87%) and 82.80% (95% CI: 65.68%-86.11%) as determined by qPCR and nested PCR respectively. Eighteen (19.36%; 95% CI; 10.78%-29.97%) samples had mixed infections. Infection prevalence of all haemosporidian spp. were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in samples from West Africa. Forty-six mitochondrial sequences obtained from 14 avian species grouped into three distinct clusters of Haemoproteus (36), Leucocytozoon (8) and Plasmodium (2). These represent eight published and nine new cytb lineages. The most common lineage was Haemoproteus sp. (VIMWE1) which was identified in two bird species from West Africa and seven bird species from South Africa. This study adds to our knowledge of host-parasite relationships of avian haemosporidia of Afrotropical birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamohale E. Chaisi
- Department of Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), 232 Boom Street, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Samuel T. Osinubi
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Desire L. Dalton
- Department of Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), 232 Boom Street, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Essa Suleman
- Department of Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), 232 Boom Street, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), P.O. Box 395, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
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Harvey JA, Voelker G. Host associations and climate influence avian haemosporidian distributions in Benin. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:27-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Dimitrov D, Ilieva M, Ivanova K, Brlík V, Zehtindjiev P. Detecting local transmission of avian malaria and related haemosporidian parasites (Apicomlexa, Haemosporida) at a Special Protection Area of Natura 2000 network. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:2187-2199. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5906-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Valkiūnas G, Ilgūnas M, Bukauskaitė D, Fragner K, Weissenböck H, Atkinson CT, Iezhova TA. Characterization of Plasmodium relictum, a cosmopolitan agent of avian malaria. Malar J 2018; 17:184. [PMID: 29720195 PMCID: PMC5930738 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2325-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Microscopic research has shown that Plasmodium relictum is the most common agent of avian malaria. Recent molecular studies confirmed this conclusion and identified several mtDNA lineages, suggesting the existence of significant intra-species genetic variation or cryptic speciation. Most identified lineages have a broad range of hosts and geographical distribution. Here, a rare new lineage of P. relictum was reported and information about biological characters of different lineages of this pathogen was reviewed, suggesting issues for future research. Methods The new lineage pPHCOL01 was detected in Common chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita, and the parasite was passaged in domestic canaries Serinus canaria. Organs of infected birds were examined using histology and chromogenic in situ hybridization methods. Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, Zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata, Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus and European goldfinch Carduelis carduelis were exposed experimentally. Both Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses identified the same phylogenetic relationships among different, closely-related lineages pSGS1, pGRW4, pGRW11, pLZFUS01, pPHCOL01 of P. relictum. Morphology of their blood stages was compared using fixed and stained blood smears, and biological properties of these parasites were reviewed. Results Common canary and European goldfinch were susceptible to the parasite pPHCOL01, and had markedly variable individual prepatent periods and light transient parasitaemia. Exo-erythrocytic and sporogonic stages were not seen. The Zebra finch and Budgerigar were resistant. Neither blood stages nor vector stages of all examined P. relictum lineages can be distinguished morphologically. Conclusion Within the huge spectrum of vertebrate hosts, mosquito vectors, and ecological conditions, different lineages of P. relictum exhibit indistinguishable, markedly variable morphological forms. Parasites of same lineages often develop differently in different bird species. Even more, the variation of biological properties (parasitaemia dynamics, blood pathology, prepatent period) in different isolates of the same lineage might be greater than the variation in different lineages during development in the same species of birds, indicating negligible taxonomic value of such features. Available lineage information is excellent for parasite diagnostics, but is limited in predictions about relationships in certain host-parasite associations. A combination of experiments, field observations, microscopic and molecular diagnostics is essential for understanding the role of different P. relictum lineages in bird health. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-018-2325-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mikas Ilgūnas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, LT-08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Karin Fragner
- Institute of Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Herbert Weissenböck
- Institute of Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carter T Atkinson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Hawaii National Park, HI, 96718, USA
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SahBandar IN, Samonte G, Telan E, Siripong N, Belcaid M, Schanzenbach D, Leano S, Chagan-Yasutan H, Hattori T, Shikuma CM, Ndhlovu LC. Ultra-Deep Sequencing Analysis on HIV Drug-Resistance-Associated Mutations Among HIV-Infected Individuals: First Report from the Philippines. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2017; 33:1099-1106. [PMID: 28569550 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2016.0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A sharp increase in the number of people living with HIV has been documented in the Philippines. In response, the government has instituted antiretroviral therapy (ART) nationwide through HIV treatment hubs. However, no data presently exist on the status of ART drug-resistance-associated mutations (DRMs). In this study, we aim at analyzing DRM profiles in the Philippines and at providing comprehensive data on DRMs to guide treatment decisions and prevent viral failures. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 119 volunteers who tested positive for HIV from more than 8,000 participants screened for HIV across the nation through the 2013 Integrated HIV Behavioral and Serologic Surveillance (IHBSS) program. Amplicons were generated from plasma RNA by using primers designed to analyze diverse HIV-1 isolates targeting the reverse transcriptase region and sequenced on a 454 ultra-deep sequencing (UDS) platform to assess DRMs. DRMs were defined by using the Stanford HIV drug resistance database, and we found only 2 from 110 evaluable individuals with major HIV variants (>20% prevalence) that were highly resistant to the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI: efavirenz and nevirapine). However, a larger fraction of individuals harbored minority drug-resistant HIV variants (0.5%-20% prevalence) and they were highly resistant to NNRTI nevirapine (89/110), rilpivirine (5/110), and efavirenz (49/110). This study is the first report on the presence of HIV drug resistance in the Philippines and demonstrates the utility of UDS in assisting the detection of HIV minor variants. Monitoring for ART-DRMs will assist in improving HIV management strategies in curtailing the evolving epidemic in the Philippines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivo N. SahBandar
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Genesis Samonte
- Department of Health, National Epidemiology Center, Manila, Philippines
| | - Elizabeth Telan
- National Reference Laboratory, STD AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory, Manila, Philippines
| | - Nalyn Siripong
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Mahdi Belcaid
- Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - David Schanzenbach
- Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Susan Leano
- National Reference Laboratory, STD AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory, Manila, Philippines
| | - Haorile Chagan-Yasutan
- International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Toshio Hattori
- Department of Occupational Therapy, KIBI International University, Takahashi, Japan
| | - Cecilia M. Shikuma
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii
| | - Lishomwa C. Ndhlovu
- Hawaii Center for AIDS, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii
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8
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Schoener ER, Hunter S, Howe L. Development of a rapid HRM qPCR for the diagnosis of the four most prevalent Plasmodium lineages in New Zealand. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:1831-1841. [PMID: 28497225 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5452-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Although wildlife rehabilitation and translocations are important tools in wildlife conservation in New Zealand, disease screening of birds has not been standardized. Additionally, the results of the screening programmes are often difficult to interpret due to missing disease data in resident or translocating avian populations. Molecular methods have become the most widespread method for diagnosing avian malaria (Plasmodium spp.) infections. However, these methods can be time-consuming, expensive and are less specific in diagnosing mixed infections. Thus, this study developed a new real-time PCR (qPCR) method that was able to detect and specifically identify infections of the three most common lineages of avian malaria in New Zealand (Plasmodium (Novyella) sp. SYAT05, Plasmodium elongatum GRW6 and Plasmodium spp. LINN1) as well as a less common, pathogenic Plasmodium relictum GRW4 lineage. The assay was also able to discern combinations of these parasites in the same sample and had a detection limit of five parasites per microlitre. Due to concerns relating to the presence of the potentially highly pathogenic P. relictum GRW4 lineage in avian populations, an additional confirmatory high resolution (HRM) qPCR was developed to distinguish between commonly identified P. elongatum GRW6 from P. relictum GRW4. The new qPCR assays were tested using tissue samples containing Plasmodium schizonts from three naturally infected dead birds resulting in the identified infection of P. elongatum GRW6. Thus, these rapid qPCR assays have shown to be cost-effective and rapid screening tools for the detection of Plasmodium infection in New Zealand native birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- E R Schoener
- Institute of Agriculture and Environment (IAE), Ecology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - S Hunter
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences (IVABS), Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - L Howe
- Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences (IVABS), Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
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9
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Jarvi SI, Bianchi KR, Farias ME, Txakeeyang A, McFarland T, Belcaid M, Asano A. Characterization of class II β chain major histocompatibility complex genes in a family of Hawaiian honeycreepers: 'amakihi (Hemignathus virens). Immunogenetics 2016; 68:461-475. [PMID: 26971289 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-016-0908-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Hawaiian honeycreepers (Drepanidinae) have evolved in the absence of mosquitoes for over five million years. Through human activity, mosquitoes were introduced to the Hawaiian archipelago less than 200 years ago. Mosquito-vectored diseases such as avian malaria caused by Plasmodium relictum and Avipoxviruses have greatly impacted these vulnerable species. Susceptibility to these diseases is variable among and within species. Due to their function in adaptive immunity, the role of major histocompatibility complex genes (Mhc) in disease susceptibility is under investigation. In this study, we evaluate gene organization and levels of diversity of Mhc class II β chain genes (exon 2) in a captive-reared family of Hawaii 'amakihi (Hemignathus virens). A total of 233 sequences (173 bp) were obtained by PCR+1 amplification and cloning, and 5720 sequences were generated by Roche 454 pyrosequencing. We report a total of 17 alleles originating from a minimum of 14 distinct loci. We detected three linkage groups that appear to represent three distinct haplotypes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed one variable cluster resembling classical Mhc sequences (DAB) and one highly conserved, low variability cluster resembling non-classical Mhc sequences (DBB). High net evolutionary divergence values between DAB and DBB resemble that seen between chicken BLB system and YLB system genes. High amino acid identity among non-classical alleles from 12 species of passerines (DBB) and four species of Galliformes (YLB) was found, suggesting that these non-classical passerine sequences may be related to the Galliforme YLB sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan I Jarvi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, HI, 96720, USA.
| | - Kiara R Bianchi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, HI, 96720, USA
| | - Margaret Em Farias
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, HI, 96720, USA
| | - Ann Txakeeyang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, HI, 96720, USA
| | - Thomas McFarland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, HI, 96720, USA
| | - Mahdi Belcaid
- Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, Kane'ohe, HI, USA
| | - Ashley Asano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, HI, 96720, USA
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Bernotienė R, Palinauskas V, Iezhova T, Murauskaitė D, Valkiūnas G. Avian haemosporidian parasites (Haemosporida): A comparative analysis of different polymerase chain reaction assays in detection of mixed infections. Exp Parasitol 2016; 163:31-7. [PMID: 26821298 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mixed infections of different species and genetic lineages of haemosporidian parasites (Haemosporida) predominate in wildlife, and such infections are particularly virulent. However, currently used polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection methods often do not read mixed infections. Sensitivity of different PCR assays in detection of mixed infections has been insufficiently tested, but this knowledge is essential in studies addressing parasite diversity in wildlife. Here, we applied five different PCR assays, which are broadly used in wildlife avian haemosporidian research, and compared their sensitivity in detection of experimentally designed mixed infections of Haemoproteus and Plasmodium parasites. Three of these PCR assays use primer sets that amplify fragments of cytochrome b gene (cyt b), one of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, and one target apicoplast genome. We collected blood from wild-caught birds and, using microscopic and PCR-based methods applied in parallel, identified single infections of ten haemosporidian species with similar parasitemia. Then, we prepared 15 experimental mixes of different haemosporidian parasites, which often are present simultaneously in wild birds. Similar concentration of total DNA was used in each parasite lineage during preparation of mixes. Positive amplifications were sequenced, and the presence of mixed infections was reported by visualising double-base calling in sequence electropherograms. This study shows that the use of each single PCR assay markedly underestimates biodiversity of haemosporidian parasites. The application of at least 3 PCR assays in parallel detected the majority, but still not all lineages present in mixed infections. We determined preferences of different primers in detection of parasites belonging to different genera of haemosporidians during mixed infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasa Bernotienė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 2100, LT-08412, Lithuania.
| | - Vaidas Palinauskas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 2100, LT-08412, Lithuania.
| | - Tatjana Iezhova
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 2100, LT-08412, Lithuania.
| | - Dovilė Murauskaitė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 2100, LT-08412, Lithuania.
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Valkiūnas G, Žiegytė R, Palinauskas V, Bernotienė R, Bukauskaitė D, Ilgūnas M, Dimitrov D, Iezhova TA. Complete sporogony of Plasmodium relictum (lineage pGRW4) in mosquitoes Culex pipiens pipiens, with implications on avian malaria epidemiology. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:3075-85. [PMID: 25958156 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4510-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Plasmodium relictum (lineage pGRW4) causes malaria in birds and is actively transmitted in countries with warm climates and also temperate regions of the New World. In Europe, the lineage pGRW4 has been frequently reported in many species of Afrotropical migrants after their arrival from wintering grounds, but is rare in European resident birds. Obstacles for transmission of this parasite in Europe have not been identified. Culex quinquefasciatus is an effective vector of pGRW4 malaria, but this mosquito is absent from temperate regions of Eurasia. It remains unclear if the lineage pGRW4 completes sporogony in European species of mosquitoes. Here we compare the sporogonic development of P. relictum (pGRW4) in experimentally infected mosquitoes Culex pipiens pipiens form molestus, C. quinquefasciatus, and Ochlerotatus cantans. The pGRW4 parasite was isolated from a garden warbler Sylvia borin, multiplied, and used to infect laboratory-reared Culex spp. and wild-caught Ochlerotatus mosquitoes by allowing them to take blood meals on infected birds. The exposed females were maintained at a mean laboratory temperature of 19 °C, which ranged between 14 °C at night and 24 °C during daytime. They were dissected on intervals to study the development of sporogonic stages. Only ookinetes developed in O. cantans; sporogonic development was abortive. The parasite completed sporogony in both Culex species, with similar patterns of development, and sporozoites were reported in the salivary glands 16 days after infection. The presence of sporogonic stages of the lineage pGRW4 in mosquitoes was confirmed by PCR-based testing of (1) the sporozoites present in salivary glands and (2) the single oocysts, which were obtained by laser microdissection from infected mosquito midguts. This study shows that P. relictum (pGRW4) completes sporogony in C. p. pipiens at relatively low temperatures. We conclude that there are no restrictions for spreading this bird infection in Europe from the point of view of vector availability and temperature necessary for sporogony. Other factors should be considered and were discussed for the explanation of rare reports of this malaria parasite in Europe.
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Palinauskas V, Žiegytė R, Ilgūnas M, Iezhova TA, Bernotienė R, Bolshakov C, Valkiūnas G. Description of the first cryptic avian malaria parasite, Plasmodium homocircumflexum n. sp., with experimental data on its virulence and development in avian hosts and mosquitoes. Int J Parasitol 2015; 45:51-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2014.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2014] [Revised: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Dimitrov D, Palinauskas V, Iezhova TA, Bernotienė R, Ilgūnas M, Bukauskaitė D, Zehtindjiev P, Ilieva M, Shapoval AP, Bolshakov CV, Markovets MY, Bensch S, Valkiūnas G. Plasmodium spp.: An experimental study on vertebrate host susceptibility to avian malaria. Exp Parasitol 2015; 148:1-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Revised: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Species limits in avian malaria parasites (Haemosporida): how to move forward in the molecular era. Parasitology 2014; 141:1223-32. [PMID: 24813385 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182014000560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Delimiting species of malaria parasites (Haemosporida) has become increasingly problematic as new lineages of parasites are identified solely by molecular information, particularly mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence data. In this review, we highlight some of the issues, both historical and contemporary, that have hindered the development of objective criteria to diagnose, delimit and define species of haemosporidians. Defining species is not the focal interest of most researchers, most of whom merely wish to determine whether lineages identified in their samples match those of other researchers, and if so, where and in which host species. Rather than revisiting all the issues with respect to delimiting and naming species, we instead focus on finding a practical near-term resolution to the 'species problem' that utilizes the community's largest resource: mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA sequences. We recommend a standardized procedure to 'tag' these sequences, based on per cent sequence similarity, that will allow researchers to directly assess the novelty, known hosts and geographic distribution of avian malaria parasite lineages.
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