Penguins are competent hosts of Haemoproteus parasites: the first detection of gametocytes, with molecular characterization of Haemoproteus larae.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The majority of penguins (Sphenisciformes) have evolved in areas with weak or absent transmission of haemosporidian parasites and are usually naïve to avian haemosporidian infections. Plasmodium parasites are transmitted by mosquitoes, and lethal avian malaria has been often reported in captive penguins in many countries. The related haemosporidian parasites belonging to Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon have also been detected in penguins but less often than Plasmodium infections. The majority of Haemoproteus infection reports in penguins are based solely on PCR-based diagnostics. It remains unclear if haemoproteids can complete their life-cycle and produce infective stages (gametocytes) in penguins or whether these infections are abortive in penguins, and thus dead ends f

SUBMITTER: Inumaru M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7291633 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature