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. 2013 Jan;8(1):171-6.

Leucocytozoonosis in domestic birds in southwestern iran: an ultrastructural study

O Dezfoulian  1 , M Zibaei, H Nayebzadeh, M Haghgoo, An Emami-Razavi, K Kiani
Affiliations

Leucocytozoonosis in domestic birds in southwestern iran: an ultrastructural study

O Dezfoulian et al. Iran J Parasitol. 2013 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Leucocytozoonosis is a disease of birds caused by obligate intracellular protozoa of the genus Leucocytozoon. We determined the prevalence of Leucocytozoon spp. using light and transmission electron microscopy in domestic birds in southwest of Iran.

Methods: A total of 825 blood smears from 275 birds were examined for presence of infection. The structure morphology of Leucocytozoon spp. was studied using light and electron microscopy.

Results: Forty-four (16.0%) of the birds were positives for Leucocytozoon. The detected parasite were found in 14 chickens (5.1%), 12 geese (4.3%), 10 ducks (3.6%), and 8 turkeys (2.9%). The majority of the records were from the northeastern regions.

Conclusion: Leucocytozoonosis are distributed in the Lorestan province bird population and electron microscopy can resolve the problem to distinguish between similar species of Leucocytozoon.

Keywords: Iran; Leucocytozoon; Native poultry; Protozoa; leukocytosis.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Duck blood smear; gametocytes of leucocytozoon spp. (P) located in red or white blood cells. The host cell nucleus (Nh) is pushed to one pole (Giemsa stain; Magnification 1000×)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Transmission electron photomicrograph of an extracellular gametocyte with distinct membranes and nucleus (N). The outermost layer or pellicle membrane (Pm) is separated from inner membrane (Im). The leukocyte (Le) is on the left (Magnification 11000×)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Transmission electron photomicrograph of immature stage of intracytoplasmic parasite (P) with nucleus (N) and myelin membrane structure (Mm) (Magnification 14000×). Inset: higher magnification of myelin membrane (18000×)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
A cytoplasmic wing (Cw) is formed from host cell cytoplasm extension (Magnification 11000×)
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