Abstract
The Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, Aegyptianella, and Leucocytozoon parasites can lead to a reduction in the productivity and mortality of wild and domestic birds. The prevalence of these parasites was studied by random selection of 209 birds from different areas of Fasa district, Fars province, Southern Iran, during May to July 2015. The birds including the partridge, ostrich, quail, turkey, hen, rooster, and pigeon considered as native domestic birds and a group including of geese and ducks as migratory birds were studied. The overall prevalence of infection was 23.9%. Haemoproteus spp. (17.7%), Plasmodium spp. (1.5%), and Aegyptianella spp. (1.5%) were identified as three major parasites. The highest rate of infection was related to the pigeons and was mainly infected with Haemoproteus spp. (55.6%). In partridge, ostrich, geese, and rooster, no blood protozoa infection was observed. 3.4% of the total birds that were examined were found to have this infection with multiple genera. The prevalence of the disease in birds is different. More researches with large sample are needed to determine the prevalence of blood parasites among birds to better identify of the disease ecology.
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We thank the Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.
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MAM and FN were responsible for the experimental design of the study; MAM, MG, and MA were responsible for the execution techniques and parasitological examination. SHH and HK were responsible for the statistical analysis. All authors reviewed and contributed to the writing of this manuscript.
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This article does not contain any studies with human subjects. All institutional and national guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals were followed.
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All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution at which the studies were conducted.
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Mohaghegh, M.A., Namdar, F., Azami, M. et al. The first report of blood parasites in the birds in Fasa district, Southern Iran. Comp Clin Pathol 27, 289–293 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-017-2587-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-017-2587-z