Article
Ecology
Seraina L. Meister, Fabia Wyss, Christian Wenker, Stefan Hoby, Walter U. Basso
Summary: Avian haemosporidian parasites were found in captive and free-ranging birds in Switzerland, causing a range of clinical signs and pathomorphological lesions. The study used PCR to test 475 bird blood samples, identifying 42 positive samples with haemosporidian DNA, with Plasmodium relictum SGS1 being the most commonly detected lineage. Only a small number of individuals showed clinical and pathomorphological evidence of infection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Jessica Sobeck, Olivier Nsengimana, Deo Ruhagazi, Providence Uwanyirigira, Gloria Mbasinga, Jean Claude Tumushime, Albert Kayitare, Methode Bahizi, Richard Muvunyi, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal
Summary: Grey crowned cranes in East Africa are experiencing significant population declines, with the need for increased testing and investigation of potential cryptic speciation within the morphospecies Haemoproteus antigonis.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Rafaela Venanconi Matoso de Freitas, Glauber Thiago Martins Barino, Franciane Cedrola, Roberto Junio Pedroso Dias, Marta D'Agosto, Carlos Luiz Massard
Summary: The Haemosporida order comprises heteroxenous parasites transmitted by dipteran insects and commonly found in wild birds. Despite being reported in all zoogeographic regions, these parasites have not been found in Antarctica. The Cracidae family, with about 50 species in Brazil, is one of the potential hosts of haemosporidians. Limited data on haemosporidian infections in this bird family exist, with only three Haemoproteus species recorded. We identified Haemoproteus spp. infection in all analyzed Penelope obscura bronzina, including two distinct lineages (PENOBS02 and PENOBS03) based on morphological, molecular and phylogenetic analyses. Our findings offer insights into the taxonomy of Haemoproteus parasites infecting Cracidae birds.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
K. M. Talbott, D. J. Becker, H. A. Soini, B. J. Higgins, M. V. Novotny, E. D. Ketterson
Summary: This study demonstrates that avian host odour varies quantitatively based on haemosporidian parasite load, rather than solely on the presence or absence of infection. The composition of volatile compounds in preen oil was found to vary with parasite load, and the volatile blend associated with parasite load also showed a seasonal relapse. Additionally, there was a positive relationship between parasite load and a volatile blend previously linked to reproductive success in juncos.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Phirom Prompiram, Kanaporn Poltep, Nattarun Chaisilp, Warunya Chakritbudsabong, Supakit Buamas, Sasitorn Rungarunlert
Summary: This study aimed to detect haemosporidian infection in White-breasted Waterhens and examined the blood samples microscopically and genetically. Four species of haemosporidians were identified, with the morphological features of Haemoproteus gallinulae presented. Additionally, three Plasmodium species were found to have a wide host range. This study revealed the role of White-breasted Waterhens as carriers of haemosporidian parasites and provides potential information for further research.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Staffan Bensch, Mizue Inumaru, Yukita Sato, Larisa Lee Cruz, Andrew A. Cunningham, Simon J. Goodman, Iris I. Levin, Patricia G. Parker, Patricia Casanueva, Maria-Angeles Hernandez, Gregorio Moreno-Rueda, Maria-Angeles Rojo
Summary: The PCR method is powerful but may lead to PCR contamination and erroneous conclusions. This paper evaluates cases of avian haemosporidian parasites to shed light on steps in the work process that could lead to PCR contaminations. Increasing awareness of the issue can aid in developing procedures to minimize these occurrences, which should be applicable to all PCR-based identifications.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Katrina D. Keith, John P. Pistone, Tyler A. Campbell, Gary A. Voelker
Summary: Avian haemosporidian parasites in Texas, specifically Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, and Plasmodium, have been relatively understudied despite the large geographic area and diverse ecoregions. This study conducted in south Texas found different infection patterns and parasite community composition between adjacent ecoregions. The findings provide important insights into the prevalence and disease ecology of avian malaria in this area.
Article
Microbiology
Imron Rosyadi, Siti Isrina Oktavia Salasia, Bayanzul Argamjav, Hiroshi Sato
Summary: The study reveals the significant impact of long-lasting subclinical pigeon haemoproteosis caused by Haemoproteus columbae on the health of farmed domestic pigeons, with infected pigeons showing severe macrocytic hypochromic anemia, hypoproteinemia, and hyperfibrinogenemia as the main hematological manifestations.
Article
Microbiology
Vajiheh Ghaemitalab, Omid Mirshamsi, Gediminas Valkiunas, Mansour Aliabadian
Summary: This study in South and Southeast Iran during the bird breeding seasons of 2017 and 2018 found that avian haemosporidians, including Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon, were prevalent with Haemoproteus lineages being the most common. The study also identified 19 new host records and 13 co-infections of Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon parasites, indicating active local transmission in resident bird species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica Jimenez-Penuela, Martina Ferraguti, Josue Martinez-de la Puente, Ramon C. Soriguer, Jordi Figuerola
Summary: This study monitored the infection status of bird blood parasites in different regions of southern Spain, revealing different infection patterns possibly related to the composition and density of vector communities. The specific reproductive environmental requirements of different vector groups involved in transmission may be affected by climatic conditions and landscape features.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Daniela de Angeli Dutra, Antoine Filion, Alan Fecchio, Erika Martins Braga, Robert Poulin
Summary: Migration plays a significant role in the transmission of parasites, with migratory birds potentially introducing new parasite strains to new areas and hosts. The presence of migrants may negatively impact local parasite richness, but is not associated with local prevalence, demonstrating their potential role in enhancing pathogen spread and influencing parasite community transmission.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniela de Angeli Dutra, Nayara Belo, Erika M. Braga
Summary: South America provides an ideal location to study the influence of habitat on vector-borne parasites. Through analyzing wild bird data from the Brazilian Savanna and the Venezuelan Arid Zone, researchers found that different habitats affect the prevalence and genetic diversity of haemosporidian parasites. Factors such as host diversity and environmental conditions contribute to the variation in parasite composition and prevalence.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Raquel A. Rodrigues, Gabriel M. F. Felix, Mauro Pichorim, Patricia A. Moreira, Erika M. Braga
Summary: The study investigated avian haemosporidian parasites in a protected area in northeastern Brazil, showing that migration and temperature may predict parasite prevalence. Individual-level traits and other species-specific factors were not related to infection probability.
Article
Parasitology
Sandrine Musa
Summary: By developing a sensitive nested PCR assay, researchers successfully amplified the complete mitochondrial genomes of haemosporidian parasites in birds. This provides valuable data for conducting phylogenetic analyses and accurately defining species, as well as discovering multiple new haemosporidian parasite species.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Michael Coeurdassier, Nicolas Bassin, Thibaut Powolny, Christophe Morin, Eve Afonso
Summary: Research found that in breeding areas of Red Kites in France, nestlings have a prevalence of 28% for Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium infections. While no relationship was found between nestlings' body condition and parasite occurrence, the impact of blood pathogens on adult birds, a critical stage for the population dynamic of Red Kites, remains poorly understood and should be further investigated.
JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Antoinette J. Piaggio, Susan A. Shriner, Julie K. Young, Doreen L. Griffin, Peggy Callahan, Darren J. Wostenberg, Eric M. Gese, Matthew W. Hopken
JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Matthew W. Hopken, Antoinette J. Piaggio, Kristy L. Pabilonia, James Pierce, Theodore Anderson, Zaid Abdo
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGICAL METHODS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Timothy J. Smyser, Michael A. Tabak, Chris Slootmaker, Michael S. Robeson, Ryan S. Miller, Mirte Bosse, Hendrik-Jan Megens, Martien A. M. Groenen, Samuel Rezende Paiva, Danielle Assis de Faria, Harvey D. Blackburn, Brandon S. Schmit, Antoinette J. Piaggio
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amy J. Davis, David A. Keiter, Elizabeth M. Kierepka, Chris Slootmaker, Antoinette J. Piaggio, James C. Beasley, Kim M. Pepin
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
John L. Teem, Luke Alphey, Sarah Descamps, Matt P. Edgington, Owain Edwards, Neil Gemmell, Tim Harvey-Samuel, Rachel L. Melnick, Kevin P. Oh, Antoinette J. Piaggio, J. Royden Saah, Dan Schill, Paul Thomas, Trevor Smith, Andrew Roberts
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Zoology
Xin Guan, Eric R. Britzke, Antoinette J. Piaggio, David L. Bergman, Lolita Van Pelt, Richard F. Lance
JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY
(2020)
Article
Entomology
Erin M. Borland, Daniel A. Hartman, Matthew W. Hopken, Antoinette J. Piaggio, Rebekah C. Kading
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Matthew W. Hopken, Antoinette J. Piaggio, Kristy L. Pabilonia, James Pierce, Theodore Anderson, Courtney Pierce, Zaid Abdo
Summary: Isolation and cultivation of wild-type viruses in model organism cells or tissues is standard practice in virology. Oftentimes, the virus host species is distantly related to the species from which the culture system was developed. The results from this study revealed that isolation of wild bird avian influenza viruses in chicken eggs leads to skewed populations that are different than the input populations.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Kevin P. Oh, Aaron B. Shiels, Laura Shiels, Dimitri Blondel, Karl J. Campbell, J. Royden Saah, Alun L. Lloyd, Paul Q. Thomas, Fred Gould, Zaid Abdo, John R. Godwin, Antoinette J. Piaggio
Summary: Research has found significant genetic variations in invasive mouse populations colonizing islands, with moderate to high levels of differentiation from nearby source populations. Locally fixed Cas9 genomic targets were observed in female fertility genes across all island populations.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Matthew W. Hopken, Limarie J. Reyes-Torres, Nicole Scavo, Antoinette J. Piaggio, Zaid Abdo, Daniel Taylor, James Pierce, Donald A. Yee
Summary: Understanding the biodiversity of urban ecosystems is crucial for managing invasive species, conserving native species, and disease control. Mosquitoes in urban environments feed on vertebrates and can act as samplers of the vertebrate community. In the San Juan Metropolitan Area, there was a difference in the diversity of vertebrate host species between Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti.
Article
Ecology
Anna M. Mangan, Antoinette J. Piaggio, Michael J. Bodenchuk, Courtney F. Pierce, Timothy J. Smyser
Summary: This study used genetic analysis to investigate invasion and migration processes of wild pig populations throughout Texas. Different patterns of genetic structure were found, suggesting disparate processes shaping populations in various localities. The results differed from California and Florida, highlighting the need for location-specific management strategies.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jeffrey Morisette, Stanley Burgiel, Kelsey Brantley, Wesley M. Daniel, John Darling, Jeanette Davis, Thomas Franklin, Keith Gaddis, Margaret Hunter, Richard Lance, Tracy Leskey, Yale Passamaneck, Antoinette Piaggio, Brian Rector, Adam Sepulveda, Melissa Smith, Carol A. Stepien, Taylor Wilcox
Summary: This paper explores the use of environmental DNA sampling and analysis in providing information on invasive species presence, and suggests wider utilization of eDNA techniques for invasive species surveillance. It aims to assist invasive species managers in deciding if, when, and how to use eDNA for surveillance effectively.
MANAGEMENT OF BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kelly E. Williams, Richard E. Sherwin, Kaci K. Vandalen, Antoinette J. Piaggio
WESTERN NORTH AMERICAN NATURALIST
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Aaron B. Shiels, Mele Khalsa, Doreen L. Griffin, Clay K. Chow, Patty Baiao, Sheri S. Mann, Antoinette J. Piaggio