Korean Journal of Veterinary Research (대한수의학회지)

The Korean Society of Veterinary Science (대한수의학회)
권호 표지

Avian malaria associated with Plasmodium spp. infection in a penguin in Jeju Island

  • Ko, Kyeong-Nam (College of Veterinary Medicine, Cheju National University) ;
  • Kang, Sang-Chul (Preclinical Research Center, Chemon Inc.) ;
  • Jung, Ji-Youl (College of Veterinary Medicine, Cheju National University) ;
  • Bae, Jong-Hee (College of Veterinary Medicine, Cheju National University) ;
  • Kim, Jae-Hoon (College of Veterinary Medicine, Cheju National University)
  • Accepted : 2008.05.19
  • Published : 2008.08.01
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Plasmodium spp. in domestic and wild birds are microscopic, intracellular parasitic protozoa within the blood cells and tissues cause avian malaria. A 17-month-old Magellan penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) with a clinical signs of anorexia, depression, and respiratory distress for 3 days was submitted to the Pathology Department of Veterinary Medicine, Cheju National University in October 2005. It was born and reared in the Jeju Island. Grossly, the liver was enlarged, pale and friable. The spleen was also enlarged with dark red coloration and friable. Histopathologically, the lesions in the liver were characterized by multifocal infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes especially in perivascular regions. The schizonts of Plasmodium spp. contained up to 30 merozoites were found in numerous infiltrated mononuclear cells. Similarly, histiocytic cells were proliferated in red pulp of spleen and the schizonts were found in these cells. Numerous dark brown pigments were widely distributed in the liver and spleen. The result of the nested polymerase chain reaction clarified the causative agent of this case was Plasmodium spp.. This is the first report for the outbreak of avian malaria caused by Plasmodium spp. in a penguin that was born and reared in Jeju Island in Korea.

Keywords

References

  1. Atkinson CT, Dusek RJ, Woods KL, Iko WM. Pathogenicity of avian malaria in experimentallyinfected Hawaii Amakihi. J Wildl Dis 2000, 36, 197-204 https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-36.2.197
  2. Atkinson CT, van Riper III C. Pathogenicity and epizootiology of avian hematozoa: Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, and Haemoproteus. In: Loye JE, Zuk M (eds.). Bird-Parasite Interactions, Ecology, Evolution, and Behaviour. pp. 19-48, Oxford University Press, New York, 1991
  3. Bak UB, Park JC, Lim YJ. An outbreak of malaria in penguins at the Farm-land Zoo. Korean J Parasitol 1984, 22, 267-272 https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.1984.22.2.267
  4. Cranfield MR, Graczyk TK, Beall FB, Ialeggio DM, Shaw ML, Skjoldager ML. Subclinical avian malaria infections in African black-footed penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and induction of parasite recrudescence. J Wildl Dis 1994, 30, 372-376 https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-30.3.372
  5. Fix AS, Waterhouse C, Greiner EC, Stoskopf MK. Plasmodium relictum as a cause of avian malaria in wild-caught Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). J Wildl Dis 1988, 24, 610-619 https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-24.4.610
  6. Friend M, Franson JC. Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases: General Field Procedures and Diseases of Birds. pp. 193-199, US Geological Survey, Madison, 1999
  7. Griner LA, Sheridan BW. Malaria (Plasmodium relictum) in penguins at the San Diego Zoo. Am J Vet Clin Pathol 1967, 1, 7-17
  8. Han ET, Lee DH, Park KD, Seok WS, Kim YS, Tsuboi T, Shin EH, Chai JY. Reemerging vivax malaria: changing patterns of annual incidence and control programs in the Republic of Korea. Korean J Parasitol 2006, 44, 285-294 https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2006.44.4.285
  9. Herman CM, Kocan RM, Snyder EL, Knisley JO. Plasmodium elongatum from a penguin. Wildl Dis 1968, 4, 132
  10. Ishtiaq F, Gering E, Rappole JH, Rahmani AR, Jhala YV, Dove CJ, Milensky C, Olson SL, Peirce MA, Fleischer RC. Prevalence and diversity of avian hematozoan parasites in Asia: a regional survey. J Wildl Dis 2007, 43, 382-398 https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-43.3.382
  11. Jones HI, Shellam GR. Blood parasites in penguins, and their potential impact on conservation. Mar Ornithol 1999, 27, 181-184
  12. Oh HS. Monitoring avian natural treasures wintered in Jeju Island, Korea. Bull Mar Environ Res Inst Cheju Nat Univ 2001, 25, 85-104
  13. Oh HS. Bird community in Mt. Halla national park. J Basic Sciences Cheju Nat'l Univ 2002, 15, 29-44
  14. Pierce MA, Mead CJ. Haematozoa of British birds III. Spring incidence of blood parasites of birds from Hertfordshire, especially returning migrants. J Nat Hist 1978, 12, 337-340 https://doi.org/10.1080/00222937800770181
  15. Ribeiro SF, Sebaio F, Branquinho FCS, Marini MA, Vago AR, Braga EM. Avian malaria in Brazilian passerine birds: parasitism detected by nested PCR using DNA from stained blood smears. Parasitology 2005, 130, 261-267 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182004006596
  16. Singh B, Bobogare A, Cox-singh J, Snounou G, Abdullah MS, Rahman HA. A genus- and speciesspecific nested polymerase chain reaction malaria detection assay for epidemiologic studies. Am J Trop Med Hyg 1999, 60, 687-692 https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1999.60.687
  17. Stoskopf MK, Kennedy-Stoskopf S. Aquatic birds. In: Fowler ME (ed.). Zoo & Wild Animal Medicine. 2nd ed. pp. 303-307, WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1986