Prevalence of avian malaria parasite in mosquitoes collected at a zoological garden in Japan

Abstract

Several species of captive birds at zoological gardens of Japan were found to be infected with avian Plasmodium. However, incriminated vector mosquito species have not been identified yet. To indicate the competent vectors of avian malaria parasite, we collected mosquitoes at a zoological garden in Japan and examined for the avian malaria parasite DNA. Totally, 1,361 mosquitoes of 11 species were collected in the zoological garden of Kanagawa, the south of Tokyo in Japan in 2005. Captured mosquitoes were pooled by each species, date collected, and location and used for DNA extraction. Eight out of 169 DNA samples were positive for the nested PCR of avian Plasmodium cyt b gene. Estimated minimum infection rates of mosquitoes were 5.9 per 1,000. The PCR positive mosquito species were Culex pipiens group and Lutzia vorax. Some DNA sequences amplified from collected mosquitoes were identical to avian Plasmodium lineages detected from captive birds in the same zoological garden studied. Our results suggest that C. pipiens group and L. vorax could be incriminated vectors of avian malaria parasite transmitting in captive birds kept in the zoological garden in Japan.

Recent advances in the study of avian malaria: an overview with an emphasis on the distribution of Plasmodium spp in Brazil

“…The interactions between malaria parasites and their vectors are complex and can be affected by both genetic and environmental factors (Tripet et al 2008). Recently, several studies have used molecular markers to examine the distribution of avian malaria parasite lineages in wild-caught vectors (Gager et al 2008, Istiaq et al 2008, Ejiri et al 2009, Kim et al 2009, Kim & Tsuda 2010, Kimura et al 2010. However, the "parasitevector-vertebrate host" interactions remain understudied for avian malaria, particularly in tropical countries.…”

First Record of Avian Plasmodium DNA from Mosquitoes Collected in the Yaeyama Archipelago, Southwestern Border of Japan

“…, Yukita SATO 1) *, Kyeong-Soon KIM 2) , Mikako TAMASHIRO 3) , Yoshio TSUDA 2) , Takako TOMA 3) , Ichiro MIYAGI 3) , Koichi MURATA 4) and Masayoshi YUKAWA 4) Avian Plasmodium spp. are blood protozoa that cause the vector-borne disease of bird malaria on a worldwide scale and are transmitted mainly by mosquitoes of the genera Aedes, Anopheles, Culex and Culiseta [20].…”

“…are blood protozoa that cause the vector-borne disease of bird malaria on a worldwide scale and are transmitted mainly by mosquitoes of the genera Aedes, Anopheles, Culex and Culiseta [20]. Previous studies in Japan reported that several species of wild and captive birds were infected with various strains of avian Plasmodium [10][11][12], and some mosquito species were reported as their vectors [2][3][4][5][6][7]. Elucidating the prevalence and transmission pathways of avian Plasmodium may provide important information for evaluating the risk of parasite infections in the study areas [3,4].…”

“…Previous studies in Japan reported that several species of wild and captive birds were infected with various strains of avian Plasmodium [10][11][12], and some mosquito species were reported as their vectors [2][3][4][5][6][7]. Elucidating the prevalence and transmission pathways of avian Plasmodium may provide important information for evaluating the risk of parasite infections in the study areas [3,4]. In the mainland of Japan, the prevalence of avian malaria in birds and mosquitoes has been gradually demonstrated [3-7, 10, 12]; however, the situation in the southwestern border area of Japan remains unknown, except in Minami-Daito Island [2] (Fig.…”

“…Avian malaria lineages detected in this study are indicated in the tree within boxes and by a mosquito silhouette within a box. Superscript arabic numerals of accession numbers indicate the following host mosquito species of avian Plasmodium detected in previous studies in Japan [2][3][4][5][6][7]: 1) Aedes albopictus; 2) Culex (Culiciomyia) sasai; 3) Lt. fuscanus; 4) Lt. vorax; 5) C. pipiens pallens; 6) C. pipiens quinquefasciatus; 7) Coquillettidia sp.. Known avian malaria species, including Plasmodium cathemerium (AY377128), P. circumflex (AF495576) [13], P. elongatum (DQ659588), P. gallinaceum (AB250690), P. juxtanucleare (AB250415), P. nucleophilum (AF254962), P. relictum (AY099041) [21], Haemoproteus lanii (DQ630012), H. sylvae (AY099040), and other avian malaria lineages found recently in birds (AB601432 to AB601434, AB601437, AB601438, AB601440, AB601441, AB601445) and mosquitoes (AB308044 to AB308048, AB308051, AB308052, AB458849 to AB458851, AB474382, AB477123, AB474377, AB474378, AB542064) of Japan were obtained from GenBank for comparison.…”