Detection of avian malaria (Plasmodium spp.) in native land birds of American Samoa |
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Authors: | Susan I Jarvi Margaret EM Farias Helen Baker Holly B Freifeld Paul E Baker Ellen Van Gelder J Gregory Massey Carter T Atkinso |
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Institution: | (1) Biology Department, University of Hawaii at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili St, Hilo, HI, 96720;(2) Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, USGS-BRD, Bldg 343, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI, 96718;(3) Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Monkstone House, City Road, Peterborough, PE1 1JY, UK;(4) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, PO Box 50088, Honolulu, HI, 96850;(5) East Dunbartonshire Council, The Triangle, Kirkintilloch Road, Bishopbriggs, G64 2TR, UK;(6) Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, USGS-BRD, 329, Makawao, HI, 96768;(7) Department Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, State of Hawaii |
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Abstract: | This study documents the presence ofPlasmodium spp. in landbirds ofcentral Polynesia. Blood samples collectedfrom eight native and introduced species fromthe island of Tutuila, American Samoa wereevaluated for the presence of Plasmodiumspp. by nested rDNA PCR, serology and/ormicroscopy. A total of 111/188 birds (59%)screened by nested PCR were positive. Detection of Plasmodium spp. was verifiedby nucleotide sequence comparisons of partial18S ribosomal RNA and TRAP(thrombospondin-related anonymous protein)genes using phylogenetic analyses. All samplesscreened by immunoblot to detect antibodiesthat cross-react with Hawaiian isolates of Plasmodium relictum (153) were negative. Lack of cross-reactivity is probably due toantigenic differences between the Hawaiian andSamoan Plasmodium isolates. Similarly,all samples examined by microscopy (214) werenegative. The fact that malaria is present,but not detectable by blood smear evaluation isconsistent with low peripheral parasitemiacharacteristic of chronic infections. Highprevalence of apparently chronic infections,the relative stability of the native land birdcommunities, and the presence of mosquitovectors which are considered endemic andcapable of transmitting avian Plasmodia,suggest that these parasites are indigenous toSamoa and have a long coevolutionary historywith their hosts. |
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Keywords: | avian malaria American Samoa Plasmodium rRNA TRAP |
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