Diversity and distribution of avian malaria and related haemosporidian parasites in captive birds from a Brazilian megalopolis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The role of zoos in conservation programmes has increased significantly in last decades, and the health of captive animals is essential to guarantee success of such programmes. However, zoo birds suffer from parasitic infections, which often are caused by malaria parasites and related haemosporidians. Studies determining the occurrence and diversity of these parasites, aiming better understanding infection influence on fitness of captive birds, are limited.

Methods

In 2011-2015, the prevalence and diversity of Plasmodium spp. and Haemoproteus spp. was examined in blood samples of 677 captive birds from the São Paulo Zoo, the largest zoo in Latin America. Molecular and microscopic diagnostic methods were used in parallel to detect and identify these infections.

SUBMITTER: Chagas CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5316177 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature