Lamien-Meda Aline, Harl Josef, Lieber Astrid, Unterköfler Maria Sophia, Eigner Barbara, Wortha Licha N, Müller Franz, Heddergott Mike, Fuehrer Hans-Peter
Institute of Parasitology, Department of Biological Sciences and Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
Parasitol Res. 2025 May 31;124(6):56. doi: 10.1007/s00436-025-08510-3.
Common ravens (Corvus corax) are intelligent scavengers that adapt to diverse environments, playing a key ecological role, but their health and ecosystem contributions can be affected by parasites. This study investigates the prevalence and diversity of blood parasite infections in common ravens using molecular techniques. Blood samples (n = 42) were collected from dead common ravens in Germany and screened for filarioid nematodes, trypanosomatids, and haemosporidian parasites. The results showed that 26.2% of the common ravens were PCR-positive for at least one parasite, with some cases of mixed infections. Filarioid nematodes were found in 16.7%, trypanosomatids in 4.8%, and haemosporidian parasites in 16.7% of the common ravens. Sequencing revealed the presence of four Leucocytozoon CytB lineages and one Haemoproteus lineage. The findings suggest that common ravens in Germany are often infected with diverse avian blood parasites, with a higher prevalence of filarioid nematodes. Further research is needed to confirm the circulation of these parasites in the common raven population and to identify the specific filarioid nematode species present in Germany.
普通渡鸦（Corvus corax）是适应多种环境的聪明食腐动物，发挥着关键的生态作用，但其健康状况和对生态系统的贡献可能会受到寄生虫的影响。本研究采用分子技术调查普通渡鸦血液寄生虫感染的患病率和多样性。从德国死亡的普通渡鸦身上采集了血液样本（n = 42），并对丝虫样线虫、锥虫和血孢子虫寄生虫进行了筛查。结果显示，26.2%的普通渡鸦至少有一种寄生虫的PCR检测呈阳性，存在一些混合感染病例。在16.7%的普通渡鸦中发现了丝虫样线虫，4.8%中发现了锥虫，16.7%中发现了血孢子虫寄生虫。测序显示存在四种白细胞虫细胞色素B谱系和一种血变原虫谱系。研究结果表明，德国的普通渡鸦经常感染多种禽类血液寄生虫，丝虫样线虫的患病率较高。需要进一步研究以确认这些寄生虫在普通渡鸦种群中的传播情况，并确定德国存在的具体丝虫样线虫种类。
