Avian Malaria

Question 1

What are the primary dipteran vectors of Avian malaria?

Answer 1

Culex spp.
Aedes spp
Hemoproteus

Question 2

Name at least 4 birds affected by Malaria

Answer 2

ducks, falcons, pigeons, and penguins

Question 3

What type of birds are mainly affected by malaria?

Answer 3

passerines (perching birds)

Question 4

Which Hawaiian native birds are susceptible to malaria?

Answer 4

Hawaiian honeycreepers and the Hawaiian crow

Question 5

Name some notable species of birds most heavily affected by malaria.

Answer 5

House sparrows, great tits, and Eurasian blackcaps

Question 6

Outbreaks of avian malaria also are common among captive birds, most notably among zoo ______

Answer 6

penguins

Question 7

Name 2 organs where plasmodium reproduce resulting to their enlargement.

Answer 7

Liver, Spleen

Question 8

Which among the Plasmodium spp reproduces in the red blood cells, leading to anemia?

Answer 8

Plasmodium relictum

Question 9

Avian malaria chronic infection occurs when ___________ dormant in endothelial cells become active, producing generally mild symptoms of anemia.

Answer 9

merozoites

Question 10

The genus of the protozoan parasite that causes avian malaria

Answer 10

Plasmodium

Question 11

The invertebrate hosts that transmit Plasmodium spp. to birds are typically?

Answer 11

Ornithophilic mosquitoes

Question 12

Infection with Plasmodium spp. in birds can range from ____

Answer 12

Always subclinical to severely clinical

Question 13

Which Plasmodium species are considered the most pathogenic in poultry?

Answer 13

P. gallinaceum, P. juxtanucleare, and P. durae

Question 14

Plasmodium gallinaceum primarily infects chickens in which regions?

Answer 14

Asia and Africa

Question 15

Mortality rates in commercial chickens infected with P. gallinaceum can be as high as?

Answer 15

80-90%

Question 16

Plasmodium juxtanucleare infects chickens and turkeys in?

Answer 16

Asia, Africa, and South America

Question 17

Most infections with P. juxtanucleare are:
a) Fatal
b) Associated with severe anemia
c) Mild or asymptomatic
d) Characterized by neurological signs

Answer 17

Mild or asymptomatic

Question 18

Primarily infects turkeys and other gallinaceous birds (excluding chickens) in Africa.

Answer 18

Plasmodium durae

Question 19

Mortality in turkeys infected with P. durae can approach _____

Answer 19

100%

Question 20

The most common Plasmodium species affecting wild birds

Answer 20

P. relictum

Question 21

Asymptomatic Plasmodium infections in endemic birds can cause fatal disease in ________

Answer 21

Introduced birds (e.g., zoo birds)

Question 22

Cold-climate bird species held outside their natural range are particularly susceptible to developing clinical malaria, examples include ______________

Answer 22

Penguins, snowy owls, and gyrfalcons

Question 23

Death due to Plasmodium infection can result from severe anemia or blockage of capillaries by?

Answer 23

Exoerythrocytic meronts in endothelial cells

Question 24

In birds with Plasmodium infection, the liver and spleen are often?

Answer 24

Markedly enlarged and discolored (dark brown to black)

Question 25

Pigmented parasites, including meronts, are found in _______

Answer 25

immature and mature red blood cells

Question 26

In acutely dying birds, numerous meronts can be found in capillaries by histology or examination of squash smears of which organs?

Answer 26

Brain, lung, liver, and spleen

Question 27

The essential method for preventing Plasmodium infection in birds

Answer 27

Prevention of exposure to mosquitoes

Question 28

A mixture of trimethoprim and sulfaquinoxaline has shown efficacy against experimentally induced P. gallinaceum malaria in ______

Answer 28

Chickens

Question 30

Name at least three clinical signs that may be observed in birds infected with Plasmodium spp.

Answer 30

Weakness Lassitude Dyspnea (Other possible answers: anemia, abdominal distention, increased right heart weight, ocular hemorrhage, biliverdinuria, death)

Question 31

Name at least three Plasmodium species pathogenic in poultry

Answer 31

P. gallinaceum P. juxtanucleare P. durae

Question 32

Name at least three genera of ornithophilic mosquitoes mentioned as invertebrate hosts for Plasmodium spp.

Answer 32

Culex Culiseta Aedes

Question 33

In caged birds and penguins, which two drugs are often given orally as an initial treatment for Plasmodium infection?

Answer 33

Chloroquine and primaquine

Question 34

Chloroquine has activity against which stages of the Plasmodium parasite in the bird's blood?

Answer 34

Erythrocytic schizonts and gametocytes

Question 35

Primaquine also has activity against which stage of the Plasmodium parasite in the bird's blood?

Answer 35

Erythrocytic gametocytes

Question 36

In raptors, control of Plasmodium infection has been achieved by oral administration of?

Answer 36

Mefloquine

Question 37

For chemoprophylaxis in endemic areas for large falcons, which drug has been used successfully once a week?

Answer 37

Mefloquine

Question 38

The term for pigmented parasitic forms found in red blood cells during Plasmodium infection

Answer 38

Merozoites

Question 39

The increase in right heart weight observed in some birds with Plasmodium infection is likely due to?

Answer 39

Pulmonary hypertension from blocked capillaries

Question 40

Name at least two types of lesions that can be found in birds that die from acute Plasmodium infection

Answer 40

Markedly enlarged liver Markedly enlarged spleen (Other possible answer: dark brown to black discoloration of liver/spleen, meronts in capillaries of brain/lung/etc.)