Alžbeta Šujanová, Josef Harl, Mélanie Duc, Tanja Himmel, Gediminas Valkiūnas
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose
Accurate detection and characterization of avian haemosporidian infections remain challenging due to frequent co-infections of morphologically similar and genetically diverse parasite lineages. This study aimed to assess the concordance of different diagnostic approaches in detecting Haemoproteus co-infections.
Methods
We investigated Haemoproteus infections in the Eurasian blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) using microscopy, PCR from blood and tissue samples, and histological methods including haematoxylin and eosin staining and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH).
Results
All 45 examined birds were microscopically positive for Haemoproteus. The most prevalent parasites belonged to Haemoproteus parabelopolskyi, H. pallidulus, and H. homogeneae, while PCR additionally detected H. majoris (hWW2) and H. attenuatus (hROBIN1). Blood- and tissue-derived PCR results were congruent in only 17 individuals (37.8%), indicating that single-method screening substantially underestimates infection diversity. Tissue stages were histologically confirmed in 14 birds, and parasite DNA was detected by CISH in 12 individuals. Although all tissue samples were PCR-positive, only 37 blood samples yielded positive PCR results. The H. parabelopolskyi group showed high genetic diversity, comprising ten closely related cytochrome b lineages. Kidneys were the most frequently affected organ.
Conclusion
Combining microscopic, molecular, and histological approaches is essential for comprehensive detection of Haemoproteus co-infections and improves our understanding of parasite diversity and host–parasite relationships.
期刊介绍：
Acta Parasitologica is an international journal covering the latest advances in the subject.
Acta Parasitologica publishes original papers on all aspects of parasitology and host-parasite relationships, including the latest discoveries in biochemical and molecular biology of parasites, their physiology, morphology, taxonomy and ecology, as well as original research papers on immunology, pathology, and epidemiology of parasitic diseases in the context of medical, veterinary and biological sciences. The journal also publishes short research notes, invited review articles, book reviews.
The journal was founded in 1953 as "Acta Parasitologica Polonica" by the Polish Parasitological Society and since 1954 has been published by W. Stefanski Institute of Parasitology of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw. Since 1992 in has appeared as Acta Parasitologica in four issues per year.
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