Detection of Malaria Parasites and Other Haemosporidia in Migratory and Native Birds in Mazandaran and Golestan Provinces, Iran

Seyedeh Fatemeh  Ehsani-Amrei; Afsaneh  Motevalli-Haghi; Mehdi Nateghpour; Mehdi Mohebali; Mohammad Reza Youssefi; Omid Raiesi; Seif Ali Mahdavi; Leila Farivar

doi:10.18502/jad.v16i1.11189

Seyedeh Fatemeh Ehsani-Amrei Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Afsaneh Motevalli-Haghi Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mehdi Nateghpour Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mehdi Mohebali Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Reza Youssefi Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran
Omid Raiesi Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Seif Ali Mahdavi Amol Faculty of Paramedics, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Leila Farivar Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jad.v16i1.11189

Keywords: Avian malaria parasites; Microscopy; PCR technique; Iran

Abstract

Background: A variety of haemoprotozoa including Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon cause infections in birds and are transmitted by some known vectors. These parasites cause anemia, low appetite, weakness and ultimately death in birds. The present study was aimed to determine these parasites, in birds of Mazandaran and Golestan provinces in Iran.

Methods: The project was performed on 340 live birds in 2016. The samples were collected from February to September 2016, from each bird, two thin and thick blood smears were prepared and the remaining blood about 1ml was kept in EDTA-containing tubes for molecular studies. The slides were stained with 10% Giemsa, then examined microscopically. About ten percent of the negative samples were considered for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique, using specific primers to diagnose Plasmodium and Haemoproteus spp. Electrophoresis was done for PCR products and relevant bands to the parasites were identified based on the size. The considered birds belonged to ducks, chickens, roosters, and pigeons.

Results: From 340 microscopically examined blood samples 32 (9.5%) samples were positive. Twenty-five (7.35%) of them were infected with the genus Haemoproteus. Seven samples (14%) out of 50 microscopically negative samples were found as Haemoproteus or Plasmodium spp when PCR technique was employed.

Conclusion: This study revealed the existence of malaria parasites and other haemosporidia in birds in Iran. Employing molecular methods (PCR examination) could detect more infections.