Detection of avian haemosporidia from captive musophagid birds at a zoological garden in Japan

Abstract

One captive musophagid bird at a zoological garden in Japan showed clinical symptoms and was found to be infected with avian haemosporidia. We subsequently collected blood from all musophagid birds kept in the garden and examined for avian haemosporidia using both microscopic and molecular examination. Only Haemoproteus gametocytes were observed in the blood of two Guinea turaco (Tauraco persa). Three genetic lineages of Haemoproteus were identified from three Guinea turacos and one genetic lineage of Leucocytozoon was identified from a grey plantain-eater (Crinifer piscator). Detected Haemoproteus lineages were all identical and completely different from those previously reported in Japan, suggesting that these birds were infected in their original habitat. This is the first record of Haemoproteus infection in Guinea turacos.