Host specificity of passerine Lankesterella (Apicomplexa: Coccidia)

Venkatachalam, Ambayeram; Čepička, Ivan; Hrazdilová, Kristýna; Svobodová, Milena

doi:10.1016/j.ejop.2023.126007

Cited by 1 publication

(5 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…This study found that most lineages were specific to one host, except for the lineage kSYLATR01, which was found in multiple bird species from different families ( S. atricapilla , H. rustica , E. rubecula , and T. merula ), indicating complex host–parasite dynamics. This pattern aligns with the findings of Chagas et al [ 6 ] and Saravana Bhavan Venkatachalam et al [ 40 ]. The phylogenetic analysis also revealed that some bird species featured Lankesterella lineages from different clades.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…The phylogenetic analysis also revealed that some bird species featured Lankesterella lineages from different clades. Notably, the lineage kPARMAJ01 exhibits a sister lineage relationship with kCYACAE01 in C. caeruleus , a pattern not observed by Saravana Bhavan Venkatachalam et al [ 40 ]. However, Saravana Bhavan Venkatachalam et al [ 40 ] analyzed partial 18S sequences, while our study mainly focused on CytB .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…Notably, the lineage kPARMAJ01 exhibits a sister lineage relationship with kCYACAE01 in C. caeruleus , a pattern not observed by Saravana Bhavan Venkatachalam et al [ 40 ]. However, Saravana Bhavan Venkatachalam et al [ 40 ] analyzed partial 18S sequences, while our study mainly focused on CytB . The distinct positioning of kTURMER01 as a sister group to all other lineages indicates a potential early divergence within the genus.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…In our study, birds belonging to the family Muscicapidae and Sylviidae presented a higher infection rate of Lankesterella ; however, Chagas et al [ 6 ] analyzed a small number of Sylviidae and no Muscicapidae. Saravana Bhavan Venkatachalam et al [ 40 ] analyzed several bird species but did not report the rates of infection. Acrocephalus schoenobaenus was sampled in different studies at different localities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the vector’s blood meal, sporozoites are ingested to complete the life cycle, whereby no further development takes place in the vector serving as a paratenic host [ 35 ]. Research on avian Lankesterella parasites is a relatively young field [ 6 , 13 , 40 ]. It is likely that the Lankesterella life cycle is similar to the one described for amphibians, with merogony, gametogony, and sporogony of Lankesterella parasites taking place entirely within the vertebrate host, leading to the development of sporozoites, which infect thrombocytes and leucocytes of birds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Isospora and Lankesterella Parasites (Eimeriidae, Apicomplexa) of Passeriform Birds in Europe: Infection Rates, Phylogeny, and Pathogenicity

Keckeisen,

Šujanová,

Himmel

et al. 2024

Pathogens

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Wild birds are common hosts to numerous intracellular parasites such as single-celled eukaryotes of the family Eimeriidae (order Eucoccidiorida, phylum Apicomplexa). We investigated the infection rates, phylogeny, and pathogenicity of Isospora and Lankesterella parasites in wild and captive passerine birds. Blood and tissue samples of 815 wild and 15 deceased captive birds from Europe were tested using polymerase chain reaction and partial sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome b and cytochrome c oxidase I and the nuclear 18S rRNA gene. The infection rate for Lankesterella in wild birds was 10.7% compared to 5.8% for Isospora. Chromogenic in situ hybridization with probes targeting the parasites’ 18S rRNA was employed to identify the parasites’ presence in multiple organs, and hematoxylin–eosin staining was performed to visualize the parasite stages and assess associated lesions. Isospora parasites were mainly identified in the intestine, spleen, and liver. Extraintestinal tissue stages of Isospora were accompanied by predominantly lymphohistiocytic inflammation of varying severity. Lankesterella was most frequently detected in the spleen, lung, and brain; however, infected birds presented only a low parasite burden without associated pathological changes. These findings contribute to our understanding of Isospora and Lankesterella parasites in wild birds.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%