Abstract
From September 2012 to May 2018, blood samples from 364 raptors (mostly adults) were collected and screened for trypanosomes and haemosporidians by microscopic examination and nested polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Trypanosoma spp. were identified in 15 birds from eight different species. Light microscopy revealed 14 cases of infection with Trypanosoma cf. corvi, including one each in black-shouldered kite (Elanus caeruleus, n = 49), Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus, n = 50), and spotted owlet (SO, Athene brama, n = 27); two mountain hawk-eagles (Spizaetus nipalensis, n = 3); and three each in Asian barred owlets (ABO, Glaucidium cuculoides, n = 27), barn owls (BO, Tyto alba, n = 65) and collared scops owls (CSO, Otus lettia, n = 41). In addition, one case of infection with T. avium was identified in an oriental scops owl (OSO, Otus sunia, n = 2). All infected raptors showed very low parasitemia levels. The PCR detected more three positives in one CSO, one Japanese sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis), and one OSO. The sensitivity and specificity of the PCR method were 93.3% and 99.1%, respectively. The overall infection rate was very low (4.9%). The highest infection rate was recorded in cold-dry season (9.9%). Coinfection of Plasmodium with trypanosomes was found in all three ABOs. Coinfection with Haemoproteus spp. was found in one BO, three CSOs, and one SO. Coinfection with Haemoproteus spp. and Leucocytozoon danilewskyi was found in the OSO. Microfilarias were detected in one ABO and one CSO. The ultrastructure of trypomastigotes of T. cf. corvi in an ABO revealed fine structures. All small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) sequences belong to two clades: T. avium and T. corvi-culicavium complex/group. SSU rRNA gene amplification was not successful in one BO. The raptors with trypanosome infections showed normal hematological values and healthy appearance. Furthermore, this is the first report of T. avium in a nocturnal raptor from Thailand.
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This work was partially supported by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University and the Kasetsart University Research and Development Institution, Kasetsart University under grant number 55.61, Thailand.
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This study was approved by the Institutional Laboratory Animal Care and Use Committee of Kasetsart University, Thailand under protocol number ACKU 01560.
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Supplementary Fig. 1
Coinfection of other pathogens with Trypanosoma cf. corvi in owls. aPlasmodium spp. in an Asian barred owlet (ABO, KU213); bHaemoproteus spp. in a collared scops owl (CSO, KU222); cHaemoproteus spp. and Leucocytozoon danilewskyi in an oriental scops owl (KU489); a and e microfilaria in ABO-KU213 and CSO-KU222 (PNG 17749 kb)
Supplementary Fig. 2
Infection rate (%) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of trypanosome infections in different seasons in raptors from the Kasestsart University Raptor Rehabilitation Unit. The total number of raptors was 364. Data for all years (2012–2018) were combined. (JPG 15 kb)
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Pornpanom, P., Salakij, C., Prasopsom, P. et al. Morphological and molecular characterization of avian trypanosomes in raptors from Thailand. Parasitol Res 118, 2419–2429 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-019-06379-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-019-06379-7