Molecular detection of avian haemosporidian parasites in biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Thailand

AbstractThis study presents data from a molecular survey of the species of the genus Culicoides from the region of Kalimok Field Station (NE Bulgaria) and haemosporidian parasites occurring in them in order to investigate the host-parasite specificity of haemosporidians to their dipteran vectors. The identification of Culicoides spp. was carried out by morphological and molecular-genetic methods. We collected and analysed 230 individuals of the genus Culicoides. Nine species were found. Eight species were identified morphologically; Culicoides obsoletus, C. riethi, C. newsteadi, C. circumscriptus, C. festivipennis, C. punctatus, C. pictipennis and C. puncticollis. The ninth species might be classified as either of C. nubeculosus or C. riethi and its identification needs additional investigations. The total prevalence of Haemoproteus in the examined biting midges was 2.17%. Three individuals of C. pictipennis were infected with the Haemoproteus lineage TURDUS2 (prevalence 16.67%), a common parasite of thrushes (Turdidae). Two individuals of C. circumscriptus contained Haemoproteus lineages (prevalence 2.78%); these were the lineage HAWF2 (previously reported from Coccothraustes coccothraustes) and a new lineage CULCIR1 not previously reported in the literature.

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High susceptibility of the laboratory-reared biting midges Culicoides nubeculosus to Haemoproteus infections, with review on Culicoides species that transmit avian haemoproteids

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182018001373 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 146 (3) ◽

pp. 333-341 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Dovilė Bukauskaitė ◽

Tatjana A. Iezhova ◽

Mikas Ilgūnas ◽

Gediminas Valkiūnas

Keyword(s):

Culicoides Species ◽

High Susceptibility ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites ◽

Culicoides Nubeculosus ◽

Avian Diseases ◽

Thrush Nightingale ◽

Globally Distributed ◽

Bayesian Phylogeny ◽

Common Blackbird

AbstractHaemosporidian parasites belonging to Haemoproteus cause avian diseases, however, vectors remain unidentified for the majority of described species. We used the laboratory-reared biting midges Culicoides nubeculosus to determine if the sporogonic development of three widespread Haemoproteus parasites completes in this insect. The midges were reared and fed on one common blackbird, white wagtail and thrush nightingale naturally infected with Haemoproteus minutus, Haemoproteus motacillae and Haemoproteus attenuatus, respectively. The engorged females were dissected in order to follow their sporogonic development. Microscopic examination was used to identify sporogonic stages. Bayesian phylogeny based on partial cytochrome b gene was constructed in order to determine phylogenetic relationships among Culicoides species-transmitted haemoproteids. All three parasites completed sporogony. Phylogenetic analysis placed Culicoides species transmitted haemoproteids in one well-supported clade, proving that such analysis readily indicates groups of dipteran insects transmitting avian haemoproteids. Available data show that 11 species of Culicoides have been proved to support complete sporogony of 18 species of avian haemoproteids. The majority of Culicoides species can act as vectors for many Haemoproteus parasites, indicating the low specificity of these parasites to biting midges, whose are globally distributed. This calls for control of haemoproteid infections during geographical translocation of infected birds.

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DNA barcode identification and molecular detection of bluetongue virus in Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from western Thailand

Acta Tropica ◽

10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106147 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 106147

Author(s):

Yuki Fujisawa ◽

Thanyaporn Homat ◽

Arunrat Thepparat ◽

Tanasak Changbunjong ◽

Kripitch Sutummaporn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bluetongue Virus ◽

Molecular Detection ◽

Dna Barcode ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Culicoides Biting Midges

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Diversity, prevalence and host specificity of avian parasites in southern Tunisian oases

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182017002141 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 145 (7) ◽

pp. 971-978 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Tasnim Ayadi ◽

Slaheddine Selmi ◽

Abdessalem Hammouda ◽

Sandra Reis ◽

Thierry Boulinier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Host Specificity ◽

Vegetation Structure ◽

Bird Species ◽

Passer Domesticus ◽

Migratory Bird ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites ◽

Larger Sample ◽

Gathering Data ◽

Hybrid Sparrow

AbstractOases are semi-natural woodlots surrounded by an inhospitable desert environment. This insular-like habitat system is known to support a mixture of sedentary and migratory bird species originating from different areas. However, little is known about the interactions between these birds and parasites. In this study, we investigated the diversity, prevalence and host specificity of avian haemosporidian parasites in southern Tunisian oases in two sedentary and common bird species, the laughing doveSpilopelia senegalensisand hybrid sparrowPasser domesticus × hispaniolensis, in six sites that differ regarding vegetation structure and distance to the coast. Two newHaemoproteuslineages, related to otherHaemoproteustransmitted by biting midges, were detected in doves. With regard to sparrows, all detected parasites have previously been reported in other sparrow populations, except for one newHaemoproteuslineage. Our results also showed that densely vegetated sites were characterized by the higher prevalence ofPlasmodiumbut a lower prevalence ofHaemoproteuscompared with less-vegetated sites. This is the first study aiming to explore avian parasites in the oasis habitat. Gathering data on a larger sample of oases with different sizes and isolation levels will be the next step to better understand factors shaping the transmission dynamics of avian parasites in such ecosystems.

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Culicoides biting midges involved in transmission of haemoproteids

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-020-04516-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rita Žiegytė ◽

Elena Platonova ◽

Egidijus Kinderis ◽

Andrey Mukhin ◽

Vaidas Palinauskas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biting Midges ◽

Bird Nest ◽

Genetic Lineages ◽

Nest Boxes ◽

Culicoides Obsoletus ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites ◽

Natural Vector ◽

Parasite Biology ◽

Culicoides Biting Midges

Abstract Background Culicoides biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) are known vectors of avian Haemoproteus parasites. These parasites cause diseases, pathology and even mortality in birds. The diversity of biting midges in Europe is great, but only four Culicoides species are known to be vectors of avian Haemoproteus parasites. In general, our knowledge about the role of the particular Culicoides species in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites remains insufficient. Information gaps hinder a better understanding of parasite biology and the epizootiology of parasite-caused diseases. The aim of this study was to determine new Culicoides species involved in the transmission of Haemoproteus parasites. Methods Biting midges were collected using a UV trap as well as sticky traps installed in bird nest boxes. Individual parous females were diagnosed for the presence of haemoproteids using both PCR-based and microscopic methods. Results We collected and dissected 232 parous Culicoides females from 9 species using a UV trap and 293 females from 11 species from bird nest boxes. Culicoides obsoletus was the dominant species collected using a UV trap, and Culicoides kibunensis dominated among midges collected in nest boxes. PCR-based screening showed that 5.2% of parous biting midges collected using a UV trap and 4.4% of midges collected from nest boxes were infected with avian haemosporidian parasites. Haemoproteid DNA was detected in C. kibunensis, Culicoides pictipennis, Culicoides punctatus, Culicoides segnis and Culicoides impunctatus females. The sporozoites of Haemoproteus minutus (genetic lineages hTURDUS2 and hTUPHI01) were detected in the salivary glands of two C. kibunensis females using microscopy, and this finding was confirmed by PCR. Conclusions Culicoides kibunensis was detected as a new natural vector of Haemoproteus minutus (hTURDUS2 and hTUPHI01). Haemoproteid DNA was detected in females from five Culicoides species. This study contributes to the epizootiology of avian Haemoproteus infections by specifying Culicoides species as vectors and species that are likely to be responsible for the transmission of haemoproteids in Europe.

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Molecular characterization of Haemoproteus sacharovi (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae), a common parasite of columbiform birds, with remarks on classification of haemoproteids of doves and pigeons

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.3616.1.7 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 3616 (1) ◽

pp. 85-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

ASTA KRIŽANAUSKIENĖ ◽

TATJANA A. IEZHOVA ◽

RAVINDER N. M. SEHGAL ◽

JENNY S. CARLSON ◽

VAIDAS PALINAUSKAS ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Cytochrome ◽

Cyt B ◽

Wide Spread ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Anal Ysis ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites ◽

Mitochondrial Cytochrome B ◽

Common Parasite

Haemoproteus (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) is the largest genus of avian haemosporidian parasites, some species of which cause lethal diseases in birds. Subgenera Parahaemoproteus and Haemoproteus are usually accepted in this genus; these parasites are transmitted by biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) and hippoboscid flies (Hippoboscidae), respectively. As of yet, species of Parahaemoproteus have not been reported to infect doves and pigeons (Columbiformes), parasites of these birds have not been reported to be transmitted by biting midges (Ceratopogonidae). Applying microscopy and PCR based methods, we identified mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) sequences of Haemoproteus sacharovi, a wide-spread parasite of doves and pigeons. Phylogenetic relationships of dove haemoproteids, which traditionally have been classified in the subgenus Haemoproteus, showed that H. sacharovi and H. turtur, common parasites of doves, branch in the clade with Parahaemoproteus species, indicating that these haemoproteids may belong to this subgenus and are likely transmitted by biting midges. This study provides barcodes for H. sacharovi, clarifies the taxonomic positions of H. sa-charovi and H. turtur, and indicates directions for development of classification of avian haemoproteid species. Our anal-ysis shows that the current subgeneric classification of avian haemoproteids is generally effective, but the position of some species may need to be revised.

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A new methodology for sporogony research of avian haemoproteids in laboratory-reared Culicoides spp., with a description of the complete sporogonic development of Haemoproteus pastoris

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-019-3832-x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Dovilė Bukauskaitė ◽

Carolina Romeiro Fernandes Chagas ◽

Rasa Bernotienė ◽

Rita Žiegytė ◽

Mikas Ilgūnas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Evolutionary Biology ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Biting Midges ◽

Genetic Studies ◽

Laboratory Rearing ◽

Continuous Sampling ◽

Haemosporidian Parasites ◽

Culicoides Nubeculosus ◽

Laboratory Maintenance ◽

Selection Of

Abstract Background Haemosporidian parasites of the genus Haemoproteus (Haemoproteidae) are widespread and cause haemoproteosis in birds and therefore, their diversity, ecology and evolutionary biology have become subjects of intensive research. However, the vectors and transmission patterns of haemoproteids as well as the epidemiology of haemoproteosis remain insufficiently investigated. Several species of Culicoides (Ceratopogonidae) support complete sporogony of haemoproteids belonging to the subgenus Parahaemoproteus. However, experimental research with these fragile insects is difficult to design in the field, particularly because their abundance markedly depends on seasonality. This is an obstacle for continuous sampling of sufficient numbers of naturally infected or experimentally exposed midges from wildlife. We developed simple methodology for accessing sporogonic development of haemoproteids in laboratory-reared Culicoides nubeculosus. This study aimed to describe the mosaic of methods constituting this methodology, which was applied for investigation of the sporogonic development of Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) pastoris, a widespread parasite of the common starling Sturnus vulgaris. Methods The methodology consists of the following main stages: (i) laboratory rearing of C. nubeculosus from the egg stage to adult insects; (ii) selection of naturally infected birds, the donors of mature gametocytes to expose biting midges; (iii) experimental exposure of insects and their laboratory maintenance; and (iv) dissection of exposed insects. Biting midges were exposed to H. pastoris (cytochrome b lineage hLAMPUR01) detected in one naturally infected common starling. Engorged insects were dissected at intervals in order to follow sporogony. Microscopic examination and PCR-based methods were used to identify the sporogonic stages and to confirm the presence of the parasite lineage in infected insects, respectively. Results Culicoides nubeculosus females were successfully reared and exposed to H. pastoris, which completed sporogonic development 7–9 days post-infection when sporozoites were observed in the salivary glands. Conclusions The new methodology is easy to use and non-harmful for birds, providing opportunities to access the sporogonic stages of Parahaemoproteus parasites, which might be used in a broad range of parasitology and genetic studies. Culicoides nubeculosus is an excellent experimental vector of subgenus Parahaemoproteus and is recommended for various experimental studies aiming investigation of sporogony of these pathogens.

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