During 39 months of sampling, the prevalence of apicomplexan parasites (Haemoproteus and Plasmodium) was studied in Columba livia Gmelin of Rohilkhand region, UP, India, according to the sex of the host, different seasons and host localities. Out of 266 pigeons sampled, 148 pigeons were positive for Haemoproteus at a prevalence of 55.63%. Only 18 pigeons (2.67%) had a dual Haemoproteus and Plasmodium infection and 130 pigeons (48.87%) had Haemoproteus infection. No pigeons were positive for Plasmodium alone. Parasite incidence in relation to the sex of the host indicated a higher infestation in females (62.79%) as compared to males (57.65%). The overall highest infectivity of parasites was recorded during the summer season (82.85%) followed by spring season (59.37%) and least in the winter season (42.30%). It was also observed that Haemoproteus occurred at diverse infectivity in C. livia from different localities (Badaun 51.35%, Bareilly 57.14%, and Shajahanpur 58.06%) whereas Plasmodium was recorded at 11.18% only from Bareilly. The intensity of the parasite was highest (2.77/100 RBC) at Shahjahanpur.
The prevalence, intensity and morpho-variants of new species of haemosporida (Haemoproteus and Plasmodium) from the rock pigeon, Columba livia are described and illustrated for the first time from Uttar Pradesh state of India. Thin blood smears from 266 C. livia indicated 55.63% (Haemoproteus) and 6.76% (Plasmodium) prevalence and 1-6 pars/100 RBC's (Haemoproteus) and 1-2 pars/100 RBC's (Plasmodium) intensity of infection. The fully grown intracellular gametocytes of Haemoproteus were differentiated into microgametocyte (14.0 × 4.3 μm) and macrogametocyte (13.9 × 4.7 μm). Extracorpuscular gametocyte (15.0-17.8 μm in length, 3.9-7.3 μm in width) were occasionally visible. Nuclear displacement ratio was 0.2. Plasmodium species was characterized by rounded schizonts and elongated microgametocyte (7.8 × 7.6 μm) and macrogametocyte (7.8 × 7.7 μm) with irregular margins. Cells containing schizonts are often rounded and enlarged and those parasitized by gametocytes may be somewhat distorted in shape by lateral hypertrophy. Host cell nuclei are also displaced. Double gametocyte infection of Haemoproteus occasionally present but that of Plasmodium lacking.
Birds contribute indirectly to human welfare as majority of them feed on insects and rodents and some are efficient scavengers. Poultry forming is a leading profession which provides nutritive food products for human consumption. However, these valuable resources can be infected with a wide range of blood parasites which may affect their survival and existence. In this study, the impact of Haemoproteus, an intracellular sporozoan parasite of the common pigeon. Columba livia on some heamatological parameters (Hb% and TEC) was examined. The investigations were conducted in two groups of Columba livia. Group A: Control, Group B, Heamoproteus infected. The Hb values (13.410.17gm/100ml) in Group A decline to (10.8±0.37 gm/100ml) in Group B. TEC in Group B also declined to 1.620.05x106/Cmm from the normal values of 2.19±0.02x10/Cmm in Group A. The fall in Hb% was 18.97%. and that in TEC was 24.2%. The values of TEC are more affected (24.2 %) as compared to Hb (18.97%). Being an intracellular parasite, the metabolism of Heamoproteus appears to be directly associated with the cells.
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