title: Plasmodium circumflexum in a Shikra (Accipiter badius): phylogeny and ultra-structure of the haematozoa.
abstract: A wild-caught, juvenile Shikra (Accipiter badius) was evaluated for rehabilitation at the Kasetsart University Raptor Rehabilitation Unit (KURRU) with a history of weakness. Plasmodium sp. was observed by both light and electron microscopy in blood obtained on day 1 of evaluation. Based on the appearance of erythrocytic meronts and gametocytes, the parasites were defined as Plasmodium (Giovannolaia) circumflexum. The sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene from the plasmodia was closely related to parasites found in the Grey-headed woodpecker from Myanmar and the Brown hawk-owl from Singapore. Transmission electron microscopic examination revealed organelles in the haematozoa and heterophils that ingested the plasmodia. This is the first recorded case of Plasmodium circumflexum in a wild Shikra. This note emphasises the molecular characterisation and ultra-structure of the haematozoa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen, Nakorn Pathom 73140, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jarernsak
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salakij
authors.forename: Preeda
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lertwatcharasarakul
authors.forename: Chaiyan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kasorndorkbua
authors.forename: Chaleow
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salakij
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045303:Cytochromes b / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D046428:Hawks; D008289:Malaria, Avian / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000662:veterinary; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D010961:Plasmodium / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D045303:Cytochromes b