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
Parasitology
Daniela de Angeli Dutra, Alan Fecchio, Erika Martins Braga, Robert Poulin
Summary: Research shows that fully migratory species have higher parasite prevalence and greater richness of parasite lineages. However, there is no significant difference in parasite prevalence between migratory and non-migratory species when looking at Plasmodium and Haemoproteus separately.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Andrea Miranda Paez, Kayleigh Chalkowski, Sarah Zohdy, Janna R. Willoughby
Summary: This article provides an overview of avian malaria, including its transmission, impact on ecosystems, and management strategies for vulnerable bird populations.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jose Roberto Rodrigues, Scott W. Roy, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal
Summary: Avian haemosporidian parasites can cause malaria-like symptoms and threaten bird species, and recently, new RNA viruses associated with these parasites have been discovered. Analysis of transcriptome data revealed the presence of two novel RNA viruses associated with different genera of avian haemosporidians.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Manuela Iurescia, Federico Romiti, Cristiano Cocumelli, Elena Lavinia Diaconu, Fiorentino Stravino, Roberta Onorati, Patricia Alba, Klaus Gunther Friedrich, Flavio Maggi, Adele Magliano, Arianna Ermenegildi, Virginia Carfora, Andrea Caprioli, Claudio De Liberato, Antonio Battisti
Summary: This study investigated deaths due to avian malaria in eight African penguins in two Italian zoos between 2015 and 2019, with Plasmodium matutinum identified as the causative agent and Culex pipiens as the probable vector. The findings emphasize the need for zoos in Europe to be aware of the risks of avian malaria, particularly during periods of increased mosquito activity.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Carolina C. Anjos, Carolina R. F. Chagas, Alan Fecchio, Fabio Schunck, Maria J. Costa-Nascimento, Eliana F. Monteiro, Bruno S. Mathias, Jeffrey A. Bell, Lilian O. Guimaraes, Kiba J. M. Comiche, Gediminas Valkiunas, Karin Kirchgatter
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence, diversity, and distribution of avian haemosporidian parasites among resident and migratory birds in Serra do Mar, Brazil. The results showed that migratory species may harbor a higher diversity and prevalence of parasites than resident species, but transportation of some parasites by migratory hosts may not always affect local transmission. Additionally, a new species of Haemoproteus was described in this study.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Kate Ings, Daniela Denk
Summary: Avian malaria, caused by infection with Plasmodium protozoa, is transmitted by mosquitoes and is particularly harmful to captive penguins. It often leads to acute death. Wild penguins can also be infected, but the significance of these infections is unclear. Global warming may increase the threat of avian malaria to captive penguin conservation. Current diagnostic methods rely on microscopy and molecular testing, but are not always able to identify the causative species.
Article
Immunology
Vaidas Palinauskas, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Alejandra Wu-Chuang, Jose de la Fuente, Juste Azelyte, Dasiel Obregon, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Summary: This paper proposes the hypothesis that gut microbiota diversity shapes the immune response and resistance to avian malaria. The authors also suggest that anti-alpha-Gal antibodies are transmitted from mother to eggs for early malaria protection in chicks. They provide preliminary data showing the presence of bacterial alpha 1,3GT genes in the gut microbiome of birds and the induction of anti-alpha-Gal antibodies upon avian malaria infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
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
Infectious Diseases
Tanja Himmel, Josef Harl, Julia Matt, Herbert Weissenboeck
Summary: The study investigated avian mortality in Austria and found a 31% infection rate of haemosporidian parasites in birds, with finches and tits being the most affected species. Most infected birds showed low parasite burdens in the blood and tissues, ruling out a significant contribution of haemosporidian infections to morbidity or death of the examined birds.
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.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Gediminas Valkiunas, Tatjana A. Iezhova
Summary: This study aimed to develop comprehensive keys for the identification of described avian Haemoproteus species using morphological features of their blood stages. It analyzed and compared the morphological diagnostic features of gametocytes of all described Haemoproteus species and developed illustrated keys for their identification. The study also provided information about the molecular characterization of Haemoproteus parasites. The results showed that 177 described avian Haemoproteus species can be distinguished and identified in blood films using morphological characters of their gametocytes and host cells.
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
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Emma Gulliver, Stuart Hunter, Laryssa Howe, Fernanda Castillo-Alcala
Summary: Avian malaria caused by Plasmodium species is a known cause of mortality in avifauna worldwide. Through analyzing the pathology of kiwi birds, this study reveals the impact of this disease on New Zealand's endemic avian species.
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.
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Josue Martinez-de la Puente, Diego Santiago-Alarcon, Vaidas Palinauskas, Staffan Bensch
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Rita Ziegyte, Elena Platonova, Egidijus Kinderis, Andrey Mukhin, Vaidas Palinauskas, Rasa Bernotiene
Summary: This study collected various Culicoides species using UV traps and sticky traps in bird nest boxes, and identified Culicoides kibunensis as a new natural vector of Haemoproteus minutus. Haemoproteid DNA was detected in females from five Culicoides species, providing insights into the epizootiology of avian Haemoproteus infections.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Juste Azelyte, Elena Platonova, Staffan Bensch, Olof Hellgren, Vaidas Palinauskas
Summary: Co-infections and interactions of avian Plasmodium parasites have a significant impact on parasite development and transmission success. The dominance of one parasite may suppress the parasite load of another. Understanding these interactions helps explain why certain avian Plasmodium parasites dominate in specific host species.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Josef Harl, Tanja Himmel, Gediminas Valkiunas, Mikas Ilgunas, Nora Nedorost, Julia Matt, Anna Kubber-Heiss, Amer Alic, Cornelia Konicek, Herbert Weissenboeck
Summary: This study performed molecular genetic screening and chromogenic in situ hybridization on accipitriform raptors to analyze haemosporidian parasites. The results revealed that 44% of raptors from Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina were infected with haemosporidian parasites. Additionally, multiple lineages of these parasites were found in accipitriform birds globally, with most of the Plasmodium lineages detected in birds of other orders.
Review
Parasitology
Apolline Maitre, Alejandra Wu-Chuang, Juste Azelyte, Vaidas Palinauskas, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Dasiel Obregon, Adnan Hodzic, Claire Valiente Moro, Agustin Estrada-Pena, Jean-Christophe Paoli, Alessandra Falchi, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Summary: Human and animal pathogens transmitted by arthropods, such as ticks and mosquitoes, are a global concern. Control measures using acaricides are threatened by resistance in vector populations. Alternative strategies that target the vector microbiota and interfere with pathogen development are encouraged. Understanding the immune functions of host antibodies and disrupting the vector microbiota open up possibilities for novel transmission-blocking vaccines.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Vaidas Palinauskas, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Alejandra Wu-Chuang, Jose de la Fuente, Juste Azelyte, Dasiel Obregon, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Summary: This paper proposes the hypothesis that gut microbiota diversity shapes the immune response and resistance to avian malaria. The authors also suggest that anti-alpha-Gal antibodies are transmitted from mother to eggs for early malaria protection in chicks. They provide preliminary data showing the presence of bacterial alpha 1,3GT genes in the gut microbiome of birds and the induction of anti-alpha-Gal antibodies upon avian malaria infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Juste Azelyte, Alejandra Wu-Chuang, Rita Ziegyte, Elena Platonova, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Jennifer Maye, Dasiel Obregon, Vaidas Palinauskas, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Summary: In this study, researchers found that anti-microbiota vaccines targeting Enterobacteriaceae within mosquito midguts can modulate the mosquito microbiota and significantly disrupt the development of Plasmodium relictum in its natural vector Culex quinquefasciatus. These findings suggest that anti-microbiota vaccines can be a novel tool to control malaria transmission and potentially other vector-borne pathogens.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Rita Ziegyte, Rasa Bernotiene, Vaidas Palinauskas
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine new Culicoides species involved in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites in the wild. Through collection and testing of biting midges, it was discovered that multiple Culicoides species carry avian Haemoproteus parasites. In addition, two new Culicoides species were added to the vector list.
Article
Parasitology
Vincenzo A. Ellis, Victor Kalbskopf, Arif Ciloglu, Melanie Duc, Xi Huang, Abdullah Inci, Staffan Bensch, Olof Hellgren, Vaidas Palinauskas
Summary: This study presents a new sequence capture approach for targeting genes of the avian haemosporidian parasite Plasmodium relictum, successfully isolating DNA from different lineages and describing genetic variations within and among lineages. The results indicate a correlation between sequencing success and parasitemia, with lower parasitemia leading to lower sequencing success rates.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Vaidas Palinauskas, Rita Ziegyte, Jakov Sengaut, Rasa Bernotiene
Summary: Co-infection with multiple parasites is common in the wild. However, this study found that co-infection with two malarial parasites does not necessarily result in a greater number of parasites and more severe disease to the host.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mikas Ilgunas, Tanja Himmel, Josef Harl, Mindaugas Dagys, Gediminas Valkiunas, Herbert Weissenboeck
Summary: This study aimed to investigate avian haemosporidian parasites infecting owls in Europe and study their tissue stages. The study discovered seven new genetic variants of the parasites and identified the tissue development stages in the brains, heart muscles, and kidneys of infected birds.
Article
Ecology
Martina Ferraguti, Sergio Magallanes, Jessica Jimenez-Penuela, Josue Martinez-de la Puente, Luz Garcia-Longoria, Jordi Figuerola, Jaime Muriel, Tamer Albayrak, Staffan Bensch, Camille Bonneaud, Rohan H. Clarke, Gabor A. Czirjak, Dimitar Dimitrov, Kathya Espinoza, John G. Ewen, Farah Ishtiaq, Wendy Flores-Saavedra, Laszlo Zsolt Garamszegi, Olof Hellgren, Dita Horakova, Kathryn P. Huyvaert, Henrik Jensen, Asta Krizanauskiene, Marcos R. Lima, Charlene Lujan-Vega, Eyofinn Magnussen, Lynn B. Martin, Kevin D. Matson, Anders Pape Moller, Pavel Munclinger, Vaidas Palinauskas, Peter L. Pap, Javier Perez-Tris, Swen C. Renner, Robert Ricklefs, Sergio Scebba, Ravinder N. M. Sehgal, Manuel Soler, Eszter Szoellosi, Gediminas Valkiunas, Helena Westerdahl, Pavel Zehtindjiev, Alfonso Marzal
Summary: This study investigated the ecological drivers affecting avian malaria parasite lineages in native and introduced house sparrows. The results showed that urbanization was positively related to parasite prevalence in both native and introduced populations, with higher infection in areas with intermediate levels of urbanization. In introduced populations, altitude and time since bird introduction were positively associated with the number of parasite lineages.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Melanie Duc, Tanja Himmel, Mikas Ilgunas, Vytautas Eigirdas, Herbert Weissenboeck, Gediminas Valkiunas
Summary: This study investigates the development patterns and impact on hosts of two species of avian parasites, Haemoproteus dumbbellus and Haemoproteus hirundinis. The authors found that H. dumbbellus develops in multiple organs, while H. hirundinis is only found in the pectoral muscles. These findings suggest a potential phylogenetic influence on the development of Haemoproteus parasites.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Juste Azelyte, Alejandra Wu-Chuang, Apolline Maitre, Rita Ziegyte, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Dasiel Obregon, Vaidas Palinauskas, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Summary: Avian malaria infection does not significantly change the alpha and beta diversity of the bird gut microbiome, but it does alter the composition and abundance of certain bacterial taxa. The progression of microbiome structural states differs between infected and uninfected birds. Infection by avian malaria parasites is associated with the presence of specific metabolic pathways and the abundance of these pathways changes over the course of infection.
Article
Microbiology
Alejandra Wu-Chuang, Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez, Apolline Maitre, Ryan O. M. Rego, Radek Sima, Stefania Porcelli, Sabine Rakotobe, Angelique Foucault-Simonin, Sara Moutailler, Vaidas Palinauskas, Juste Azelyte, Ladislav Simo, Dasiel Obregon, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
Summary: Research has found that infection with Borrelia afzelii causes changes to the microbiota composition, diversity, and structure in ticks. Anti-microbiota vaccines can alter the tick microbiota's ability to be infected by Borrelia and decrease the pathogen's load. Network analysis is a suitable tool for identifying properties of the vector microbiota associated with infection-refractory states.