Morphological and molecular characterization of Plasmodium cathemerium (lineage PADOM02) from the sparrow Passer domesticus with complete sporogony in Culex pipiens complex.

ABSTRACT: Avian malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by Plasmodium spp. protozoa. Although these parasites have been extensively studied in North America and Eurasia, knowledge on the diversity of Plasmodium, its vectors and avian hosts in Africa is scarce. In this study, we report on natural malarial infections in free-ranging sparrows (Passer domesticus) sampled at Giza Governorate, Egypt. Parasites were morphologically characterized as Plasmodium cathemerium based on the examination of thin blood smears from the avian host. Sequencing a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene showed that the parasite corresponded to lineage PADOM02. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this parasite is closely related to the lineages SERAU01 and PADOM09, both of which are attributed to P. cathemerium.

SUBMITTER: Aly MZY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10317643 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature