Avian Malaria

Question 1

Plasmodium Relictum

Answer 1

34 recognized species in birds

Question 2

Distribution

Answer 2

worldwide, devastating in Hawaii

Question 3

What species does it infect?

Answer 3

Passerines most susceptible
Seen in penguins, ducks, falcons, and pigeons

Question 4

Transmission method

Answer 4

vector-borne by Aedes and Culex mosquitoes

Question 5

Parts of Life Cycle

Answer 5

Sporozoites, Merozoites, and Gametocytes

Question 6

Sporozoites

Answer 6

infectious stage of the malaria parasite in the mosquitos

Question 7

Merozoites

Answer 7

daughter parasite

Question 8

Gametocytes

Answer 8

first step of sexual cycle which occurs inside the anopheline vector

Question 9

Life cycle

Answer 9

Sporozoites introduced by mosquitoes-> invade Malpighian body-> infects lungs, brain, and spleen-> after 3 or 4 meronts-> merozoites invade erythrocytes-> merogony again-> develop into gametocytes-> ingested by mosquito-> for gamete that fuse into zygotes-> form oocysts in gut-> rupture-> sporozoites released into gut-> migrate to salivary glands

Question 10

Malpighian body

Answer 10

a part of the nephron which is present in kidneys

Question 11

Clinical signs

Answer 11

many birds asymptomatic
listlessness, ruffled feathers, anorexia, dyspnea

Question 12

Pathologic Lesions

Answer 12

anemia, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly

Question 13

Diagnostics

Answer 13

postmortem findings, evaluation of blood smears with Giemsa-stain, ELISA, PCR

Question 14

Treatment

Answer 14

zoo animals will be treated with anti-parasites

Question 15

Management

Answer 15

no specific measures currently in place
mosquito population management possible