Laboratório de Protozoologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Biodiversidade E Conservação da Natureza, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal Rural Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil.
Parasitol Res. 2024 Oct 30;123(10):364. doi: 10.1007/s00436-024-08374-z.
Avian haemosporidian parasites are protozoans transmitted by vectors, belonging to the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon, capable of infecting various bird species. The prevalence of these parasites varies depending on factors such as the habitat and geographical location of the host and vector, as well as across different bird groups. Seabirds typically exhibit low infection rates due to the absence of vectors in marine environments. This study aimed to identify and characterize the molecular diversity of Haemosporida parasites in a population of Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster) (n = 37) from the Santana Archipelago in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro state. We utilized PCR-based detection methods to confirm the presence of haemosporidian parasites and sequencing (ctyb gene) to delineate the lineages. The results uncovered a notable prevalence (48.6%) of haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus), comprising 12 novel lineages and four previously documented lineages (establishing new host records). Our findings suggest that transmission and infection by these hemoparasites can occur both on and off the island. Overall, this study yields valuable insights into the genetic diversity of haemosporidian parasites in Brown Boobies, enriching our understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of these parasites in seabirds.
禽类血孢子虫寄生虫是通过媒介传播的原生动物，属于疟原虫、血孢子虫和白细胞虫属，能够感染各种鸟类。这些寄生虫的流行率因宿主和媒介的栖息地和地理位置以及不同鸟类群体的不同而有所差异。由于海洋环境中缺乏媒介，海鸟通常感染率较低。本研究旨在从里约热内卢州马卡埃的桑塔纳群岛的 37 只褐鹈鹕（Sula leucogaster）种群中鉴定和描述血孢子虫寄生虫的分子多样性。我们利用基于 PCR 的检测方法来确认血孢子虫寄生虫的存在，并通过测序（ctyb 基因）来描绘谱系。结果发现血孢子虫寄生虫（疟原虫和血孢子虫）的流行率很高（48.6%），包括 12 个新谱系和 4 个以前记录的谱系（建立了新的宿主记录）。我们的研究结果表明，这些血液寄生虫的传播和感染既可以在岛上进行，也可以在岛外进行。总的来说，本研究为褐鹈鹕血孢子虫寄生虫的遗传多样性提供了有价值的见解，丰富了我们对海鸟中这些寄生虫的生态学和流行病学的理解。
