Plasmodium (Bennettinia) juxtanucleare infection in a captive white eared-pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) at a Japanese zoo.
An adult male white eared-pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) at a Japanese zoo exhibited lethargy and emaciation. Microscopic examination of a blood smear revealed a haemosporidian parasitic infection. Based on the morphological characteristics and molecular analysis of the parasite, it was identified as Plasmodium (Bennettinia) juxtanucleare. This is the first report of P. juxtanucleare infection in bird species belonging to the genus Crossoptilon. Caution against avian malaria infection is required for the conservation of endangered bird species in zoos.
Murata
Koichi
K
College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan. k-murata@brs.nihon-u.ac.jp
Nii
Ryosuke
R
Sasaki
Emi
E
Ishikawa
Satoshi
S
Sato
Yukita
Y
Sawabe
Kyoko
K
Tsuda
Yoshio
Y
Matsumoto
Rei
R
Suda
Akemi
A
Ueda
Miya
M
D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo / Q000469:parasitology*; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D046094:Galliformes / Q000469:parasitology*; D007564:Japan; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000962:Antimalarials