scholarly journals A highly invasive malaria parasite has expanded its range to non-migratory birds in North America

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 20210271
Author(s):  
Angela N. Theodosopoulos ◽  
Kathryn C. Grabenstein ◽  
Staffan Bensch ◽  
Scott A. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Avian Malaria ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Direct Consequence ◽  
Plasmodium Relictum ◽  
Ecological Fitting ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Parasite Infections ◽  
Avian Malaria Parasite

Parasite range expansions are a direct consequence of globalization and are an increasing threat to biodiversity. Here, we report a recent range expansion of the SGS1 strain of a highly invasive parasite, Plasmodium relictum , to two non-migratory passerines in North America . Plasmodium relictum is considered one of the world's most invasive parasites and causes the disease avian malaria: this is the first reported case of SGS1 in wild non-migratory birds on the continent. Using a long-term database where researchers report avian malaria parasite infections, we summarized our current understanding of the geographical range of SGS1 and its known hosts. We also identified the most likely geographical region of this introduction event using the MSP1 allele. We hypothesize that this introduction resulted from movements of captive birds and subsequent spillover to native bird populations, via the presence of competent vectors and ecological fitting. Further work should be conducted to determine the extent to which SGS1 has spread following its introduction in North America.

scholarly journals Gene regulation of the avian malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum, during the different stages within the mosquito vector

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Sekar ◽  
A. Rivero ◽  
R. Pigeault ◽  
S. Gandon ◽  
A. Drews ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Avian Malaria ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Parasite Development ◽  
Plasmodium Relictum ◽  
Natural Vector ◽  
Avian Malaria Parasite

AbstractThe malaria parasite Plasmodium relictum is one of the most widespread species of avian malaria. As is the case in its human counterparts, bird Plasmodium undergoes a complex life cycle infecting two hosts: the arthropod vector and the vertebrate host. In this study, we examine the transcriptome of P. relictum (SGS1) during crucial timepoints within its natural vector, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus. Differential gene-expression analyses identified genes linked to the parasites life-stages at: i) a few minutes after the blood meal is ingested, ii) during peak oocyst production phase, iii) during peak sporozoite phase and iv) during the late-stages of the infection. A large amount of genes coding for functions linked to host-immune invasion and multifunctional genes was active throughout the infection cycle. One gene associated with a conserved Plasmodium membrane protein with unknown function was upregulated throughout the parasite development in the vector, suggesting an important role in the successful completion of the sporogonic cycle. Transcript annotation further revealed novel genes, which were significantly differentially expressed during the infection in the vector as well as upregulation of reticulocyte-binding proteins, which raises the possibility of the multifunctionality of these RBPs. We establish the existence of highly stage-specific pathways being overexpressed during the infection. This first study of gene-expression of a non-human Plasmodium species in its natural vector provides a comprehensive insight into the molecular mechanisms of the common avian malaria parasite P. relictum and provides essential information on the evolutionary diversity in gene regulation of the Plasmodium’s vector stages.

MIGRATORY BIRDS AND THE DISPERSAL OF AVIAN MALARIA PARASITES IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC

1960 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marshall Laird
Keyword(s):  
Avian Malaria ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Solomon Islands ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Plasmodium Relictum ◽  
Avian Malaria Parasite ◽  
First Time ◽  
Natural Dispersal ◽  
Avian Malaria Parasites

Plasmodium relictum (Grassi and Feletti) is recorded for the first time from the tropical South Pacific (Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands Protectorate). The hosts—the shining cuckoo, Chalcites l. lucidus (Gmelin), and the broad-billed flycatcher, Myiagra f. ferrocyanea Ramsay—are new, the former one being a migratory species breeding in New Zealand, but spending the southern winter in the Solomons. The significance of this natural dispersal route for an avian malaria parasite is briefly discussed.

Blood Meal Identification and Prevalence of Avian Malaria Parasite in Mosquitoes Collected at Kushiro Wetland, a Subarctic Zone of Japan

2011 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 904-908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroko Ejiri ◽  
Yukita Sato ◽  
Kyeong Soon Kim ◽  
Yoshio Tsuda ◽  
Koichi Murata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Meal ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Avian Malaria ◽  
Avian Malaria Parasite ◽  
Blood Meal Identification

scholarly journals Malarial parasites as geographical markers in migratory birds?

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia M Fallon ◽  
Robert C Fleischer ◽  
Gary R Graves
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Population Movements ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Dendroica Caerulescens ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Breeding Populations ◽  
Wintering Range

We tested the hypothesis that malarial parasites ( Plasmodium and Haemoproteus ) of black-throated blue warblers ( Dendroica caerulescens ) provide sufficient geographical signal to track population movements between the warbler's breeding and wintering habitats in North America. Our results from 1083 warblers sampled across the species' breeding range indicate that parasite lineages are geographically widespread and do not provide site-specific information. The wide distribution of malarial parasites probably reflects postnatal dispersal of their hosts as well as mixing of breeding populations on the wintering range. When compared to geographically structured parasites of sedentary Caribbean songbirds, patterns of malarial infections in black-throated blue warblers suggest that host–malaria dynamics of migratory and sedentary bird populations may be subject to contrasting selection pressures.

scholarly journals Molecular characterization and distribution of Plasmodium matutinum, a common avian malaria parasite

Parasitology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 144 (13) ◽  
pp. 1726-1735 ◽  
Author(s):  
GEDIMINAS VALKIŪNAS ◽  
MIKAS ILGŪNAS ◽  
DOVILĖ BUKAUSKAITĖ ◽  
VAIDAS PALINAUSKAS ◽  
RASA BERNOTIENĖ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Markers ◽  
Molecular Characterization ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Avian Malaria ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Infected Blood ◽  
Avian Malaria Parasite ◽  
Thrush Nightingale

SUMMARYSpecies of Plasmodium (Plasmodiidae, Haemosporida) are widespread and cause malaria, which can be severe in avian hosts. Molecular markers are essential to detect and identify parasites, but still absent for many avian malaria and related haemosporidian species. Here, we provide first molecular characterization of Plasmodium matutinum, a common agent of avian malaria. This parasite was isolated from a naturally infected thrush nightingale Luscinia luscinia (Muscicapidae). Fragments of mitochondrial, apicoplast and nuclear genomes were obtained. Domestic canaries Serinus canaria were susceptible after inoculation of infected blood, and the long-lasting light parasitemia developed in two exposed birds. Clinical signs of illness were not reported. Illustrations of blood stages of P. matutinum (pLINN1) are given, and phylogenetic analysis identified the closely related avian Plasmodium species. The phylogeny based on partial cytochrome b (cyt b) sequences suggests that this parasite is most closely related to Plasmodium tejerai (cyt b lineage pSPMAG01), a common malaria parasite of American birds. Both these parasites belong to subgenus Haemamoeba, and their blood stages are similar morphologically, particularly due to marked vacuolization of the cytoplasm in growing erythrocytic meronts. Molecular data show that transmission of P. matutinum (pLINN1) occurs broadly in the Holarctic, and the parasite likely is of cosmopolitan distribution. Passeriform birds and Culex mosquitoes are common hosts. This study provides first molecular markers for detection of P. matutinum.

scholarly journals Classification for Avian Malaria Parasite Plasmodium Gallinaceum Blood Stages by Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veerayuth Kittichai ◽  
Morakot Kaewthamasorn ◽  
Suchansa Thanee ◽  
Rangsan Jomtarak ◽  
Kamonpob Klanboot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Convolutional Neural Networks ◽  
Malaria Parasite ◽  
Avian Malaria ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Rapid Screening ◽  
Plasmodium Gallinaceum ◽  
Deep Convolutional Neural Networks ◽  
Avian Malaria Parasite

Abstract Background: The infections of an avian malaria parasite (Plasmodium gallinaceum) in domestic chickens presents a major threat to poultry industry because it cause economical loss in both quality and quantity of meat and egg productions. Deep learning algorithms have been developed to identify avian malaria infections and classify its blood stage development. Methods: In this study, four types of deep convolutional neural networks namely Darknet, Darknet19, darknet19_448x448 and Densenet 201 are used to classify P. gallinaceum blood stages. We randomly collected dataset of 10,548 single-cell images consisting of four parasite stages from ten-infected blood films stained by Giemsa. All images were confirmed by three well-trained examiners. Results: In the model-wise comparison, the four neural network models gave us high values in the mean average precision at least 95%. Darknet can reproduce a superior performance in classification of the P. gallinaceum development stages across any other model architectures. In addition, Darknet also has best performance in multiple class-wise classification, scoring the average values of greater than 99% in accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, precision, and F1-score.Conclusions: Therefore, Darknet model is more suitable in the classification of P. gallinaceum blood stages than the other three models. The result may contribute us to develop the rapid screening tool for further assist non-expert in filed study where is lack of specific instrument for avian malaria diagnostic.

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