Plasmodium in Birds Quiz

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is a potential consequence of HAEMOPROTEUS INFECTION according to the text?

Sudden death without clinical signs (correct)

Improved energy levels

Long-term skin rashes

Enhanced growth rate

Which organ can be affected by large exoerythrocytic megaloschizonts in HAEMOPROTEUS INFECTION?

Brain

Heart (correct)

Kidney

Pancreas

What is a key feature of gametocytes in HAEMOPROTEUS INFECTION?

They divide rapidly

They encircle the nucleus of RBCs (correct)

They are colorless

They are found outside the body

What is a symptom associated with leucocytozoonosis according to the text?

Lack of energy Signup and view all the answers

In which birds has L.simondi been reported according to the text?

Waterfowl Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible outcome of leucocytozoonosis outbreaks in domestic birds based on the text?

Approach 100% mortality Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of death in birds infected with Plasmodium?

Blockage of capillaries by exoerythrocytic schizonts Signup and view all the answers

Which type of mosquitoes are known to be invertebrate hosts for Plasmodium in birds?

Culex spp. Signup and view all the answers

What is the vector of Babesia spp. in birds?

Ticks with round bodies Signup and view all the answers

Which type of blood-borne organism is identified in organ smears, especially bone marrow?

Trypanosomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the name given to Chicken Anemia Virus infection that manifests as a systemic disease in birds?

Hemorrhagic Anemia Syndrome Signup and view all the answers

Which family is the Chicken Anemia Virus (CAV) proposed to belong to?

Circoviridae Signup and view all the answers

What is the transmission route of atoxoplasmosis in birds?

Through ingestion of oocysts in droppings Signup and view all the answers

What are some clinical signs of atoxoplasmosis in birds?

Listlessness and diarrhea Signup and view all the answers

How is atoxoplasmosis diagnosed in chronically infected older birds?

Difficult due to low parasite presence in blood and tissues Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the oocysts of Isospora canaria from those causing atoxoplasmosis?

Size and color Signup and view all the answers

What is the systemic phase of the life cycle of these coccidian protozoa?

Extraintestinal phase affecting the kidneys Signup and view all the answers

What is a visible sign of atoxoplasmosis in birds when moistened with alcohol?

Enlarged liver Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic gross lesion of Perirenal Hemorrhage Syndrome in turkeys?

Variable retroperitoneal hemorrhage around one or both kidneys Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors tend to decrease the incidence of Perirenal Hemorrhage Syndrome in turkeys?

Activities that increase cardiovascular stress Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible cause of Round Heart Disease in young turkeys?

Altered membrane transport leading to myocardial failure Signup and view all the answers

When do most deaths due to Round Heart Disease occur in turkeys?

During the brooding period Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a possible symptom of Round Heart Disease in poults?

Enlarged dark red spleen Signup and view all the answers

How is the diagnosis of Round Heart Disease typically confirmed in turkeys?

Gross findings at necropsy Signup and view all the answers

What is a common observation when a healthy bird dies within a few minutes?

Anemia with large quantities of clotted blood in the peritoneal cavity Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible cause of the observed internal hemorrhage in birds?

Ventricular wall rupture near the testes or cardiac atrium Signup and view all the answers

How is Dissecting Aneurysm characterized in affected birds?

Accumulation of lipids in thickened intima and fibrous plaque Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommended approach for controlling and preventing Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH)?

Limiting feed intake or slowing growth rate by reducing energy level Signup and view all the answers

What is a common etiological factor associated with Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH) in chickens and quails?

Adenovirus Signup and view all the answers

How is Inclusion Body Hepatitis typically transmitted among birds?

Horizontally and vertically Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Atoxoplasmosis

Affects Passerine birds, such as canaries, finches, sparrows, and starlings
Has a direct life cycle with an extraintestinal systemic phase
Canaries can shed oocysts for at least 2 years
Transmission occurs through the fecal-oral route, via ingestion of oocysts in droppings from infected birds

Clinical Signs

Listlessness
Diarrhea and anorexia
High mortality rate (up to 80%) in young birds
Enlarged liver, often visible through the abdominal wall
Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in acutely affected young birds, often with multifocal necrosis

Pathological Characteristics

High number of parasites infecting mononuclear cells in blood smears and organ smears
Parasites are pale-staining, non-pigmented, oval, and intracytoplasmic bodies within the indentation of the cell nucleus
Nearly spherical oocysts are present in droppings of affected canaries

Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis

Difficult to diagnose in chronically infected older birds, as only a few parasites are present in blood and tissues
Must be distinguished from Isospora canaria, which has slightly larger and more oval oocysts

Haemoproteus Infection

Fatal infections can occur due to extensive widespread necrosis accompanying the development of large exoerythrocytic megaloschizonts in muscle, heart, liver, and lung
Presence of large, pigmented gametocytes in mature RBCs that often partially or completely encircle the nucleus without schizogony
Sudden death without clinical signs or a prolonged course of weakness, lameness, dyspnea, lethargy, poor growth, and anemia may be seen
Measures to control invertebrate hosts, such as H. columbae, are necessary

Leucocytozoonosis

Infection can range from subclinical to fatal
Mortality may approach 100%, but can vary
Acute outbreaks of leucocytozoonosis have been reported in chickens, turkeys, and waterfowl
Species in domestic birds include L. simondi, L. smithi, L. caulleryi, and L. schoutedeni

Plasmodium

Plasmodium spp. often infect a wide variety of domestic and wild birds in most areas of the world and can cause losses
Invertebrate hosts include ornithophilic mosquitoes, such as Culex, Culiseta, or Aedes spp.
Clinical findings, lesions, and diagnosis may include weakness, lassitude, dyspnea, anemia, abdominal distention, ocular hemorrhage, and death
Death results from blockage of capillaries in the brain or other vital organs by exoerythrocytic schizonts in endothelial cells
Liver and spleen are markedly enlarged and often discolored (dark brown to black)

Treatment

Chemotherapy is variably effective, but chloroquine (5-10 mg/kg) potentiated with primaquine (0.3 mg/kg) or chloroquine in drinking water (9250 mg/120 mL) may be used
Grape or orange juice can be used to disguise the bitterness of chloroquine

Malaria-Carrying Parasites

Includes Trypanosomes, Babesia spp., and other protozoan parasites of birds
May be transmitted by ticks or other invertebrate hosts

Chicken Anemia Virus Infection

Also known as Avian Anemia, Blue Anemia Virus Infection, Anemia Dermatitis Syndrome, and Hemorrhagic Anemia Syndrome
Etiology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis involve the CAV virus, a 25 nm, non-enveloped, icosahedral virus with a single-stranded, circular DNA genome
Proposed to belong to the Circoviridae family
Described in most countries with a developed chicken industry
Not known to infect other birds other than chickens
Transmitted through vertical and horizontal routes

Dissecting Aneurysm/Aortic Rupture/Internal Hemorrhage

Rupture of the ventral wall of the posterior aorta at the position of the testes or in the cardiac atrium
Aortic lumen may contain an organized adherent thrombus at the site of rupture, with intimal thickening or a large fibrous plaque present
Marked accumulation of lipids in thickened intima and fibrous plaque can be identified by stains
Dx: by finding large clots of blood in the coelomic cavity (aortic rupture) or within the pericardial sac (auricular rupture) of rapidly growing male turkeys
Differential Dx: hypertensive angiopathy, lesions include pulmonary edema and subscapular perirenal hemorrhage

Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH)

Is an acute disease of young chickens associated with anemia and hemorrhagic disorders
Also reported in quails with infectious bronchitis
Cause: Adenovirus
Etiology, transmission, and pathogenesis involve a birnavirus and a circovirus, which contribute to immunosuppression and the severity of the disease

Perirenal Hemorrhage Syndrome of Turkeys

Dx: based on history, typical gross lesions, and absence of infectious agents
Tx: no specific treatment, but factors that decrease growth rate and activity tend to decrease PHS

Round Heart Disease of Turkeys

Spontaneous cardiomyopathy of young turkeys characterized by sudden death due to cardiac arrest
Etiology is unknown, but may be due to altered membrane transport resulting in myocardial failure
Most deaths occur during the brooding period, with mortality peaking at 2 weeks
Many poults die suddenly, with some showing ruffled feathers, drooping wings, and a general unthrifty appearance
Dx: based on history and gross findings at necropsy
No tx is available, but good brooding practices may reduce mortality

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on Plasmodium infections in birds, including common clinical findings, invertebrate hosts, and diagnostic methods. Learn about the impact of this parasite on bird populations worldwide.