Leucocytozoon infections in tits (Aves, Paridae): blood and tissue stages investigated using an integrative approach.

ABSTRACT: Leucocytozoon species are cosmopolitan and prevalent avian parasites, with some infections being lethal, mainly due to the exo-erythrocytic development of the parasite in bird tissues. The patterns of exo-erythrocytic development in Leucocytozoon spp. infections in wild birds remain poorly studied. This study investigated the development of Leucocytozoon spp. tissue stages in tits (Paridae). Great tits (Parus major), Blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus), and Coal tits (Periparus ater) were screened for infections using an integrative approach that consisted of microscopic analysis of thin blood smears, histological techniques, chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH), PCR-based methods, and phylogenetic analysis. In total, 41 individuals were analyzed (eight naturally infected that were selecte

SUBMITTER: Gutierrez-Liberato GA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11843983 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature