Plasmodium (Bennettinia)  juxtanucleare Infection in a Captive White Eared-Pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) at a Japanese Zoo

Koichi MURATA; Ryosuke NII; Emi SASAKI; Satoshi ISHIKAWA; Yukita SATO; Kyoko SAWABE; Yoshio TSUDA; Rei MATSUMOTO; Akemi SUDA; Miya UEDA

doi:10.1292/jvms.70.203

Parasitology

Plasmodium (Bennettinia) juxtanucleare Infection in a Captive White Eared-Pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) at a Japanese Zoo

Koichi MURATA, Ryosuke NII, Emi SASAKI, Satoshi ISHIKAWA, Yukita SATO, Kyoko SAWABE, Yoshio TSUDA, Rei MATSUMOTO, Akemi SUDA, Miya UEDA

Author information

Koichi MURATA
College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University
Ryosuke NII
College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University
Emi SASAKI
College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University
Satoshi ISHIKAWA
College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University
Yukita SATO
College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University
Kyoko SAWABE
Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
Yoshio TSUDA
Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases
Rei MATSUMOTO
Yokohama Zoological Garden
Akemi SUDA
Yokohama Zoological Garden
Miya UEDA
Yokohama Zoological Garden

Keywords: haemosporidian parasite, Plasmodium (Bennettinia) juxtanucleare, white eared-pheasant

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2008 Volume 70 Issue 2 Pages 203-205

DOI https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.70.203

Details

Abstract

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.

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