BioOne.org will be down briefly for maintenance on 17 December 2024 between 18:00-22:00 Pacific Time US. We apologize for any inconvenience.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 April 2006 Nested Cytochrome B Polymerase Chain Reaction Diagnostics Underestimate Mixed Infections of Avian Blood Haemosporidian Parasites: Microscopy is Still Essential
Gediminas Valkiūnas, Staffan Bensch, Tatjana A. Iezhova, Asta Križanauskienė, Olof Hellgren, Casimir V. Bolshakov
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Numerous polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods have been developed and used increasingly to screen vertebrate blood samples for the diagnosis of haemosporidian blood parasites (Sporozoa, Haemosporida), but a rigorous evaluation of the sensitivity of these methods for detecting mixed infections of different haemosporidian species belonging to the same and different genera and subgenera is lacking. This study links the information obtained by nested cytochrome b PCR and traditional microscopy in determining mixed haemosporidian infections in naturally infected birds. Samples from 83 individual passerine birds with single infections of Haemoproteus or Plasmodium spp., as determined by mitochondrial DNA amplification, also were investigated by microscopic examination of stained blood films. Thirty-six samples (43%) were found to harbor mixed Haemoproteus, or Plasmodium spp. infections, or both. Thus, the PCR assays alone underestimate the occurrence of mixed infections of haemosporidian parasites in naturally infected birds. To determine the true species composition of the haemosporidians in each individual host, PCR diagnostics need to be improved. Specific primers for Haemoproteus spp. and Plasmodium spp. should be developed. Ideally, a combination of the approaches of both microscopy and PCR-based methods is recommended for this purpose.

Gediminas Valkiūnas, Staffan Bensch, Tatjana A. Iezhova, Asta Križanauskienė, Olof Hellgren, and Casimir V. Bolshakov "Nested Cytochrome B Polymerase Chain Reaction Diagnostics Underestimate Mixed Infections of Avian Blood Haemosporidian Parasites: Microscopy is Still Essential," Journal of Parasitology 92(2), 418-422, (1 April 2006). https://doi.org/10.1645/GE-3547RN.1
Published: 1 April 2006
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top