Haemoproteus in barn and collared scops owls from Thailand

Abstract

The barn owl (BO) and the collared scops owl (CSO) are common nocturnal raptors throughout Thailand. Blood samples from 23 adult BOs and 14 CSOs were collected and processed for complete blood cell counts and parasite morphological examinations. Two Haemoproteus-positive samples were processed for ultrastructural observation. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for a partial cytochrome b gene (cytb) from Haemoproteus was performed in all samples. Haemoproteus presence detected by light microscopy was lower than that detected by PCR (30.4% and 34.8%, respectively, in BO; and 50.0% and 78.6%, respectively, in CSO). Comparative hematology revealed that Haemoproteus-positive BOs had higher mean cell hemoglobin concentration, total leukocyte, absolute heterophil, basophil, and monocyte counts than Haemoproteus-negative BOs, but no significant differences between Haemoproteus-negative and -positive CSOs. Monocyte ultrastructure analysis revealed a role in the elimination of gametocytes. Morphologically, the Haemoproteus in 3 BOs and 6 CSOs were identified as H. noctuae, while that in 1 CSO was identified as H. syrnii. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the Haemoproteus spp. in 8 BOs and 7 CSOs were not closely related to H. noctuae or H. syrnii, and the cytb of 2 CSOs was that of H. syrnii. These results should be useful for study of Haemoproteus.

Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of blood cells in black‐shouldered, Brahminy, and black kites

“…Heterophils were the most abundant granulocytes, as is the case in most avian species, and which was previously reported in raptors . In all kite species, thrombocytes were approximately twice as abundant as WBCs, while thrombocyte counts reported for other raptor species are slightly lower, such as in the barn owl (137% the WBC count), crested serpent eagle (176%), and shikra (196%) …”

“…Differential leukocyte (white blood cell, WBC) counts were assessed by counting 200 cells, and the final data represent the averaged counts between two clinicians. The total erythrocyte (red blood cell, RBC) and WBC counts were determined manually with the improved Neubauer counting chamber after 5 µL of blood were diluted by mixing with 1 mL of a Natt and Herrick solution to obtain a 1:200 solution as described previously . As thrombocytes in the Natt and Herrick solution were difficult to differentiate from lymphocytes, the number of thrombocytes per microliter of blood was not determined.…”

Molecular prevalence and phylogenetic relationship of Haemoproteus and Plasmodium parasites of owls in Thailand: Data from a rehabilitation centre

“…The most common reasons for admission were trauma in adults and malnutrition and parental death or abandonment in chicks. Blood parasite infections (Salakij et al, 2012a, 2012b, 2018, 2015a), especially Haemoproteus spp. and Plasmodium spp.…”

“…Molecular markers are valuable for haemosporidian infection diagnostics (Chagas et al, 2015; Dimitrov et al, 2016), but sequencing data for lineages that infect owls are still limited. During an ongoing project (Salakij et al, 2018) that focused on the haematology and cytochemistry of blood cells and molecular characteristics of blood parasites in raptors, preliminary data on Haemoproteus infections in barn owls and collared scops-owls were collected, but limited data were obtained on the prevalence and diversity of these parasites. This study fills this gap and focuses on the prevalence and genetic diversity of Haemoproteus spp.…”

“…in owls in Thailand. The infection data from a previous report (Salakij et al, 2018) were re-analysed, allowing us to access complete information about the prevalence of parasite lineages found in owls.…”