Degree of associations among vectors of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and host bird species with respect to haemosporidian parasites in NE Bulgaria

Bobeva, Aneliya; Ilieva, Mihaela; Dimitrov, Dimitar; Zehtindjiev, Pavel

doi:10.1007/s00436-014-4140-1

Cited by 16 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Since the majority of Leucocytozoon species are transmitted by blackflies, while Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) is transmitted by biting midges, we suppose that these were Leucocytozoon sporozoites. Moreover, Leucocytozoon was detected by PCR exclusively in blackflies while Haemoproteus in biting midges (Synek et al 2013b;Bobeva et al 2014). This, together with the proven occurrence of midges and blackflies in the nests of these studied raptors (Votýpka et al 2002;Votýpka and Svobodová 2004), supports the respective roles of these vectors in the transmission of haemosporidians.…”

Section: Prevalence Of Blood Parasite Generasupporting

confidence: 71%

Trypanosomes and haemosporidia in the buzzard (Buteo buteo) and sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus): factors affecting the prevalence of parasites

et al. 2014

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The prevalences of heteroxenous parasites are influenced by the interplay of three main actors: hosts, vectors, and the parasites themselves. We studied blood protists in the nesting populations of raptors in two different areas of the Czech Republic. Altogether, 788 nestlings and 258 adult Eurasian sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) and 321 nestlings and 86 adult common buzzards (Buteo buteo) were screened for parasites by the microscopic examination of blood smears and by cultivation. We examined the role of shared vectors and parasite phylogenetic relationships on the occurrence of parasites. In different years and hosts, trypanosome prevalence ranged between 1.9 and 87.2 %, that of Leucocytozoon between 1.9 and 100 %, and Haemoproteus between 0 and 72.7 %. Coinfections with Leucocytozoon and Trypanosoma, phylogenetically distant parasites but both transmitted by blackflies (Simuliidae), were more frequent than coinfections with Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus, phylogenetically closely related parasites transmitted by different vectors (blackflies and biting midges (Ceratopogonidae), respectively). For example, 16.6 % buzzard nestlings were coinfected with Trypanosoma and Leucocytozoon, while only 4.8 % with Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus and 0.3 % with Trypanosoma and Haemoproteus. Nestlings in the same nest tended to have the same infection status. Furthermore, prevalence increased with the age of nestlings and with Julian date, while brood size had only a weak negative/positive effect on prevalence at the individual/brood level. Prevalences in a particular avian host species also varied between study sites and years. All these factors should thus be considered while comparing prevalences from different studies, the impact of vectors being the most important. We conclude that phylogenetically unrelated parasites that share the same vectors tend to have similar distributions within the host populations of two different raptor species.

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Section: Prevalence Of Blood Parasite Generasupporting

confidence: 71%

Trypanosomes and haemosporidia in the buzzard (Buteo buteo) and sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus): factors affecting the prevalence of parasites

et al. 2014

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“…It worth mentioning that Culicoides festivipennis , C. scoticus and C. pictipennis have been previously reported to harbour Haemoproteus lineages. DNA of haemoproteids belonging to genetic lineages hCIRCUM01, hCIRCUM03 and hTURDUS2 has been detected in Culicoides festivipennis in Bulgaria [25] and Czech Republic [27]. The lineage hCULSC001 has been detected in C. scoticus in Germany [28] and hTUPHI01 and hTURDUS2 have been detected in females of C. pictipennis in Germany and Bulgaria, respectively [26, 28] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…as possible vectors of Haemoproteus parasites are based only on molecular determination of the parasite lineages reported in wild-caught insects. According to PCR-based testing, seven Culicoides species have been reported to harbour Haemoproteus parasite DNA in Europe: Culicoides alazanicus [25]; Culicoides circumscriptus [14, 25, 26]; C. festivipennis [25, 26]; C. kibunensis [27, 28]; C. pictipennis [26, 28]; C. segnis [27]; and C. scoticus [28]. Reports of parasite DNA indicate that the PCR-positive insects might be possible vectors; however, these data alone are insufficient to prove the insects could transmit haemosporidian infections.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of a new vector species of avian haemoproteids, with a description of methodology for the determination of natural vectors of haemosporidian parasites

et al. 2019

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Background Haemosporidian parasites are transmitted by dipteran blood-sucking insects but certain vectors remain unidentified for the great majority of described species. Sensitive PCR-based methods are often used for the detection of haemosporidian infection in wild-caught insects. However, this approach alone cannot distinguish between different sporogonic stages and thus is insufficient to demonstrate that the parasites produce the infective stage (sporozoite), which is essential for transmission. To prove that PCR-positive insects could act as vectors, the record of sporozoites is needed. We developed a methodology for the determination of natural vectors of avian Haemoproteus species and other haemosporidians. The essence of this approach is to apply PCR-based and microscopic diagnostic tools in parallel for sporozoite detection in insects. Methods Culicoides biting midges transmit avian Haemoproteus parasites, but certain insect species, which are involved in transmission, remain insufficiently investigated. Biting midges were collected in the wild and identified; parous females were dissected and preparations of thorax content containing salivary glands were prepared. Remnants of the dissected midges were screened using PCR-based methods. Only thorax preparations of PCR-positive biting midges were examined microscopically. Results In total, 460 parous females belonging to 15 species were collected and dissected. DNA of haemosporidians was detected in 32 (7%) of dissected insects belonging to 7 species. Of the thorax samples PCR-positive for Haemoproteus parasites, two preparations were microscopically positive for sporozoites. Both biting midges were Culicoides kibunensis. Haemoproteus pallidus (hPFC1) was identified, indicating that transmission of this infection occurs at the study site. It was proved that seven species of biting midges take bird blood meals naturally in the wild. Conclusions Culicoides kibunensis is a new vector species of avian haemoproteids and is a natural vector of H. pallidus . Numerous studies have identified vectors of Haemoproteus parasites experimentally; however, this is the first direct identification of a natural vector of Haemoproteus infection in the Old World. We suggest using the described methodology for vector research of Haemoproteus and other haemosporidians in the wild. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-019-3559-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…According to PCR-based testing, nine Culicoides species are known to harbor Haemoproteus parasite DNA in Europe. These are Culicoides alazanicus [15],…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Culicoides circumscriptus, C. festivipennis [8,15,45], C. kibunensis [8,16,17], C. pictipennis [8,17,45], C. segnis [16], C. scoticus [8,17], C. punctatus and C. obsoletus [8].We have detected avian haemosporidian parasites in biting midges belonging to 5 Culicoides species and have added C. reconditus to this list ( Table 1). Culicoides punctatus and C. pictipennis females were found in nest boxes and were infected with H. minutus (hTURDUS2 and hTUPHI01, respectively) ( Table 1).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of nest boxes in determination of biting midges involved in transmission of Haemoproteus parasites

Žiegytė

Platonova

Kinderis

et al. 2020

Preprint

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BackgroundCulicoides biting midges (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) are known to be vectors of avian Haemoproteus parasites. These parasites cause disease and pathology in birds. The diversity of biting midges in Europe is great, but only four Culicoides species are known to be vectors of avian Haemoproteus parasites. In general, our knowledge about the role of the particular Culicoides species in transmission of Haemoproteus parasites remains insufficient. Information gaps hinder a better understanding of parasite biology and the epizootiology of parasite-caused diseases. The aim of this study was to determine new ornithophilic Culicoides species potentially involved in local transmission of Haemoproteus parasites. To do this we collected biting midges in bird nest boxes, identified their species and prevalence of haemoproteids in insects as well as in juvenile birds during breeding season.Methods Biting midges were collected from bird nest boxes, identified and parous females were tested individually for the presence of haemoproteids. The blood of juvenile birds was sampled to determine a local transmission of Haemoproteus spp. in the study area. We have used both microscopy and PCR-based methods.ResultsIn all, 293 Culicoides females belonging to 11 species were collected from nest boxes. Culicoides pictipennis, Culicoides segnis and Culicoides kibunensis were determined as dominant species collected using this method. Culicoides kibunensis was found to be infected with Haemoproteus lanii (genetic lineage hRB1), C.pictipennis and Culicoides punctatus− with Haemoproteus minutus (hTUPHI01 and hTURDUS2, respectively), C.segnis− with Haemoproteus majoris (hCWT4), H.minutus (hTURDUS2) and Haemoproteus tartakovskyi (hSISKIN1). From 187 studied juvenile birds 31 were infected with H. majoris (hCWT4, hPARUS1, hPHSIB1, hWW2) and Haemoproteus sp. (hPARUS10) parasites, which are widespread in Europe.Conclusions Our results provided information about the distribution of biting midge species and determined new ornithophilic Culicoides species at the study site. This study contributes to epizootiology of avian Haemoproteus infections by specifying Culicoides species that likely are responsible for the transmission of haemoproteids in Europe. Used method is suitable for better understanding vector ecology and evaluating the role of different blood sucking insects in transmission of haemoproteids in different wild ecosystems.

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Degree of associations among vectors of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and host bird species with respect to haemosporidian parasites in NE Bulgaria

Cited by 16 publications

References 46 publications

Trypanosomes and haemosporidia in the buzzard (Buteo buteo) and sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus): factors affecting the prevalence of parasites

Trypanosomes and haemosporidia in the buzzard (Buteo buteo) and sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus): factors affecting the prevalence of parasites

Identification of a new vector species of avian haemoproteids, with a description of methodology for the determination of natural vectors of haemosporidian parasites

The use of nest boxes in determination of biting midges involved in transmission of Haemoproteus parasites

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