• MeSH
• Financing, Organized MeSH
• Respiratory Tract Infections MeSH
• Communicable Disease Control MeSH
• Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype MeSH
• Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype MeSH
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus MeSH
• Publication type
• Collected Work MeSH

• Conspectus
• Patologie. Klinická medicína
• NML Fields
• infekční lékařství
• infekční lékařství

• MeSH
• Communicable Disease Control MeSH
• Influenza in Birds epidemiology   MeSH
• Disease Reservoirs MeSH

An uncommon host-parasite relationship is presented: Carnus hemapterus Nitzsch, 1818 (Diptera: Carnidae) parasiting fledgling of Coracias garrulus Linnaeus, 1758. This host association has hitherto not been recorded from the territory of Romania.

• MeSH
• Diptera * classification   MeSH
• Host-Parasite Interactions MeSH
• Bird Diseases parasitology   epidemiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Romania MeSH

Cercarial dermatitis (swimmer's itch) is a condition caused by infective larvae (cercariae) of a species-rich group of mammalian and avian schistosomes. Over the last decade, it has been reported in areas that previously had few or no cases of dermatitis and is thus considered an emerging disease. It is obvious that avian schistosomes are responsible for the majority of reported dermatitis outbreaks around the world, and thus they are the primary focus of this review. Although they infect humans, they do not mature and usually die in the skin. Experimental infections of avian schistosomes in mice show that in previously exposed hosts, there is a strong skin immune reaction that kills the schistosome. However, penetration of larvae into naive mice can result in temporary migration from the skin. This is of particular interest because the worms are able to migrate to different organs, for example, the lungs in the case of visceral schistosomes and the central nervous system in the case of nasal schistosomes. The risk of such migration and accompanying disorders needs to be clarified for humans and animals of interest (e.g., dogs). Herein we compiled the most comprehensive review of the diversity, immunology, and epidemiology of avian schistosomes causing cercarial dermatitis.

• MeSH
• Biodiversity MeSH
• Disease Outbreaks MeSH
• Host Specificity MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Bird Diseases parasitology   transmission   MeSH
• Skin Diseases, Parasitic epidemiology   immunology   parasitology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Schistosomiasis epidemiology   immunology   parasitology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH

BACKGROUND: Although avian trypanosomes are widespread parasites, the knowledge of their vectors is still incomplete. Despite biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are considered as potential vectors of avian trypanosomes, their role in transmission has not been satisfactorily elucidated. Our aim was to clarify the potential of biting midges to sustain the development of avian trypanosomes by testing their susceptibility to different strains of avian trypanosomes experimentally. Moreover, we screened biting midges for natural infections in the wild. RESULTS: Laboratory-bred biting midges Culicoides nubeculosus were highly susceptible to trypanosomes from the Trypanosoma bennetti and T. avium clades. Infection rates reached 100%, heavy infections developed in 55-87% of blood-fed females. Parasite stages from the insect gut were infective for birds. Moreover, midges could be infected after feeding on a trypanosome-positive bird. Avian trypanosomes can thus complete their cycle in birds and biting midges. Furthermore, we succeeded to find infected blood meal-free biting midges in the wild. CONCLUSIONS: Biting midges are probable vectors of avian trypanosomes belonging to T. bennetti group. Midges are highly susceptible to artificial infections, can be infected after feeding on birds, and T. bennetti-infected biting midges (Culicoides spp.) have been found in nature. Moreover, midges can be used as model hosts producing metacyclic avian trypanosome stages infective for avian hosts.

• MeSH
• Ceratopogonidae anatomy & histology   parasitology   MeSH
• Gastrointestinal Tract parasitology   MeSH
• Insect Vectors parasitology   MeSH
• Host Specificity MeSH
• Canaries parasitology   MeSH
• Microscopy, Electron, Scanning MeSH
• Bird Diseases parasitology   transmission   MeSH
• Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
• Birds parasitology   MeSH
• Trypanosoma classification   genetics   physiology   ultrastructure   MeSH
• Trypanosomiasis diagnosis   parasitology   transmission   veterinary   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

• MeSH
• Helminthiasis MeSH
• Trematode Infections pathology   MeSH
• Central Nervous System Diseases pathology   MeSH
• Bird Diseases MeSH
• Parasitic Diseases pathology   MeSH
• Schistosomatidae pathogenicity   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH

Avian haemosporidian parasites (Apicomplexa, Haemosporida) are widespread pathogens that cause malaria (Plasmodium spp.) and other haemosporidioses (Haemoproteus spp. and Leucocytozoon spp.) in birds. The Special Protection Area Durankulak Lake (SPA DL) is a coastal lake in northeast Bulgaria, part of the Natura 2000 network that was declared as important area for wintering, breeding and migratory birds. Despite a number of conservation efforts outlined for the SPAs of Natura 2000 network, the potential threats and influences of haemosporidians and other parasites on occurring birds were not considered. In the present study, we aim to investigate the richness of haemosporidian parasites in birds captured in the protected area and to report the parasite species/DNA lineages that undergo local transmission in the region. We used both microscopic examination and PCR-based methods to diagnose haemosporidian infections in juvenile (captured in the year of hatching) and adult birds. The overall prevalence of haemosporidian parasites was significantly higher in the adult birds compared to juveniles. We identified five out of 21 recorded cytochrome b (cyt b) parasite lineages that are locally transmitted in the SPA DL (one of the genus Haemoproteus Kruse, 1890 and four of genus Plasmodium Marchiafava and Celli, 1885): cyt b lineages hRW2 of Haemoproteus belopolskyi, pSGS1 of Plasmodium relictum, pCOLL1, pYWT4 and pPADOM01 of Plasmodium (Haemamoeba) spp. It is likely that the majority of the parasites with local transmission are widespread host generalists and that host exchange is rather frequent among the birds inhabiting SPA DL.

• MeSH
• Cytochromes b genetics   MeSH
• Haemosporida classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Malaria, Avian epidemiology   parasitology   transmission   MeSH
• Bird Diseases epidemiology   parasitology   MeSH
• Plasmodium genetics   MeSH
• Polymerase Chain Reaction veterinary   MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• DNA, Protozoan genetics   MeSH
• Birds parasitology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Bulgaria epidemiology   MeSH

Lymnaea stagnalis is a common freshwater gastropod. Importantly, the snail serves as the intermediate host for more than one hundred species of digenetic trematodes, including the avian schistosome Trichobilharzia szidati, a causative agent of cercarial dermatitis in humans. Infection of L. stagnalis by T. szidati initiates a dynamic confrontation between the host and the parasite that culminates in immunocompatibility ensuring survival and development of larvae. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanisms determining this immunocompatibility remain poorly characterised. By employing a variety of immune elicitors, including chemical compounds, PAMPs and bacteria, research in the last two decades has elucidated some of the molecular processes that regulate the snail internal defence response such as haemocyte signalling pathways. These discoveries provide a framework for future studies of molecular interactions between T. szidati and L. stagnalis to help elucidate factors and mechanisms enabling transmission of schistosome parasites. Moreover, support from recently available next generation sequence data and CRISPR-enabled functional genomics should further enable L. stagnalis as an important model for comparative immunology and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of immune functions in gastropod molluscs.

• MeSH
• Hemocytes immunology   parasitology   MeSH
• Immunomodulation MeSH
• Trematode Infections parasitology   transmission   MeSH
• Host-Parasite Interactions immunology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Lymnaea immunology   parasitology   MeSH
• Schistosomatidae physiology   MeSH
• Signal Transduction immunology   MeSH
• Life Cycle Stages MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH

Avian haemosporidians are common vector-borne blood parasites that have been reported in birds all over the world. Investigations of avian haemosporidian parasites are conducted mainly on passerine birds. However, studies that focus on non-passerine avian hosts are important for our understanding of the true diversity, host specificity and genetic variability among these widespread parasites. In the present study, blood samples from a total of 22 raptor birds belonging to two orders, two families and six species from the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey were investigated for three genera of avian haemosporidians (Plasmodium Marchiafava et Celli, 1885, Haemoproteus Kruse, 1890 and Leucocytozoon Sambon, 1908) using a combination of microscopic examination of blood films and nested PCR targeting the parasite mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (cyt-b). In total, six individual raptor birds identified positive for species of Plasmodium or Leucocytozoon and one individual was found co-infected with all three haemosporidian genera. We identified five parasite cyt-b haplotypes, three of which were reported for the first time. Among these, one Plasmodium haplotype is linked to a corresponding morphospecies (P-TURDUS1, Plasmodium circumflexum Kikuth, 1931). All haplotypes were clearly distinguishable in phylogenetic analyses. As one of the first studies to investigate blood parasites from non-passerine birds in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey, this study provides important new information on the phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity of avian haemosporidian parasites from raptor birds. We discuss these findings in the context of avian haemosporidian host-parasite relationships and we draw attention to the need for microscopy to detect parasite sexual development stages in surveys of avian haemosporidians.

• MeSH
• Raptors parasitology   MeSH
• Phylogeny * MeSH
• Genetic Variation MeSH
• Haemosporida classification   cytology   genetics   MeSH
• Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
• DNA, Protozoan genetics   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Turkey MeSH

We describe cases of collyriclosis in apodiform and passeriform birds in Portugal, Switzerland, and Germany. We extend the host range of Collyriculm faba to include apodiform birds ( Apus apus , Apus melba , and Apus pallidus ) and the passerine Sitta europaea (Eurasian Nuthatch). Infections varied in severity from an incidental finding to severe debilitation and death. The infection route remains unclear with the apparent absence from Germany, Portugal, and Switzerland of the first intermediate host of C. faba, the aquatic gastropod Bythinella austriaca, implying that other organisms might be involved in the parasite's life cycle. Furthermore, the detection of C. faba cysts in very young passerine birds may indicate an infection during the nestling stage and a rapid development of parasite-containing subcutaneous cysts. This series of cases highlights an increased geographic range into Portugal and the potential debilitating nature of a parasite of migratory birds in Europe. However, given the rarity of cases, collyriclosis does not seem to present an important threat to migratory species preservation.

• MeSH
• Host Specificity * MeSH
• Trematode Infections veterinary   MeSH
• Bird Diseases * MeSH
• Birds MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH
• Germany MeSH
• Portugal MeSH
• Switzerland MeSH