Changes

|kingdom            = Protista  

|kingdom            = Protista  

|sub-kingdom        =

|sub-kingdom        =

|phylum            = Protozoa

|phylum            = [[:Category:Protozoa|Protozoa]]

|sub-phylum        = Apicomplexa

|sub-phylum        = Apicomplexa

|super-class        =

|super-class        =

|species            = ''L. caulleryi''

|species            = ''L. caulleryi''

}}

}}

==Introduction==

 

==Introduction==

[[File:Leucocytozoon smithi.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''L. smithi'' within an erythrocyte, distorting its appearance.]]

[[File:Leucocytozoon smithi.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''L. smithi'' within an erythrocyte, distorting its appearance.]]

''Leucocytozoon caulleryi'' is a '''[[Protozoa|protozoan]] [[Blood Cells|blood-borne]] parasite of birds.'''

''Leucocytozoon caulleryi'' is a '''[[Protozoa|protozoan]] blood-borne parasite of birds.'''

This disease is not zoonotic.

This disease is not zoonotic.

==Signalment and Distribution==

==Signalment and Distribution==

''L. caulleryi'' has been reported in Thailand, India, Taiwan, Japan, Burma, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and Korea.<ref>Akiba, K (1970) '''Leucocytozoonosis of chickens'''. Natl. Inst. Anim. Quart., 10:131-147</ref>

''L. caulleryi'' has been reported in Thailand, India, Taiwan, Japan, Burma, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and Korea.<ref>Akiba, K (1970) '''Leucocytozoonosis of chickens'''. ''Natl. Inst. Anim. Quart.'', 10:131-147</ref>

Acute outbreaks of leucocytozoonosis have been reported in chickens, turkeys, waterfowl and wild birds worldwide.

Acute outbreaks of leucocytozoonosis have been reported in chickens, turkeys, waterfowl and wild birds worldwide.

Seasonality is dictated by presence of the insect vectors, so is usually in the Summer in temperate countries such as Japan but is present throughout where they are active year-round such as in Southern Asia.  

Seasonality is dictated by presence of the insect vectors, so is usually in the Summer in temperate countries such as Japan but is present throughout the year where insects are active year-round such as in Southern Asia.  

==Clinical Signs==

==Clinical Signs==

Infections range from '''subclinical to fatal''' and mortality can reach 100%. Mortalities are highest in young chicks due to marked haemorrhaging.

Infections range from '''subclinical to fatal''' and mortality can reach 100%. Mortalities are highest in young chicks due to marked haemorrhaging.

Leucocytozoonosis causes '''[[Anaemia]]''' due to haemorrhages from damaged, ruptured blood vessels and affected [[Erythrocytes|erythrocytes]]. This can preset as a '''pale mucous membranes, comb or wattle, petechiation and ecchymoses''', lethargy, weakness and neurological signs. '''Anorexia and [[Diarrhoea]]''' often occur and '''soft, thin, defective eggs''' with reduced hatchability may be laid by infected hens.

Leucocytozoonosis causes '''[[Anaemia|anaemia]]''' due to haemorrhages from damaged, ruptured blood vessels and affected [[Erythrocytes|erythrocytes]]. This can preset as '''pale mucous membranes, comb or wattle, petechiation and ecchymoses''', lethargy, weakness and neurological signs. '''Anorexia and [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]]''' often occur and '''soft, thin, defective eggs''' with reduced hatchability may be laid by infected hens.

Neurological signs can also be caused by parasite replication and invasion of nervous tissues.  

Neurological signs can also be caused by parasite replication and invasion of nervous tissues.  

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

'''Large, poorly pigmented gametocytes''' can be identified within the host [[Erythrocytes|red blood cells]]distorting their appearance beyond recognition.

'''Large, poorly pigmented gametocytes''' can be identified within the host [[Erythrocytes|red blood cells]] distorting their appearance beyond recognition.

Antibodies and antigens can be detected serologically in serum using '''agar gel precipitation and [[ELISA testing|ELISA]]'''.<ref> Isobe, T., Suzuki, K (1986) '''Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibody to Leucocytozoon caulleryi'''. Avian Pathology, 15(2):199-211; 14</ref>

Antibodies and antigens can be detected serologically in serum using '''agar gel precipitation and [[ELISA testing|ELISA]]'''.<ref> Isobe, T., Suzuki, K (1986) '''Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibody to ''Leucocytozoon caulleryi'''''. ''Avian Pathology'', 15(2):199-211; 14</ref>

On '''post-mortem, petechial haemorrhage and second generation schizonts''' are seen in various organs of dead chicks and also in oviducts of infected hens, when analysed histologically.<ref> Nakamura, K., Mitarai, Y., Tanimura, N., Hara, H., Ikeda, A., Shimada, J., Isobe, T (1997) '''Pathogenesis of reduced egg production and soft-shelled eggs in laying hens associated with Leucocytozoon caulleryi infection'''. J Parasitology, 83(2):325-327; 11</ref> The shell glad of the reproductive tract and oviducts are most severely affected. Schizonts can cause inflammation, oedema and pressure atrophy of surrounding tissues. '''Granulomatous and lymphocytic lesions''' are seen in the lungs, heart, brain and peripheral nerves. Large gametocytes can block capillaries of the lungs.

On '''post-mortem, petechial haemorrhage and second generation schizonts''' are seen in various organs of dead chicks and also in oviducts of infected hens, when analysed histologically.<ref> Nakamura, K., Mitarai, Y., Tanimura, N., Hara, H., Ikeda, A., Shimada, J., Isobe, T (1997) '''Pathogenesis of reduced egg production and soft-shelled eggs in laying hens associated with ''Leucocytozoon caulleryi'' infection'''. ''J Parasitology'', 83(2):325-327; 11</ref> The shell glad of the reproductive tract and oviducts are most severely affected. Schizonts can cause inflammation, oedema and pressure atrophy of surrounding tissues. '''Granulomatous and lymphocytic lesions''' are seen in the lungs, heart, brain and peripheral nerves. Large gametocytes can block capillaries of the lungs.

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Animal Health & Production Compendium, '''Lymphocytozoon infection datasheet''', accessed 01/07/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/

Animal Health & Production Compendium, '''Lymphocytozoon infection datasheet''', accessed 01/07/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/

[[Category:To Do - CABI review]]

 

[[Category:CABI Expert Review]]

[[Category:Lymphoreticular and Haematopoietic Diseases - Birds]] [[Category:Neurological Diseases - Birds]]

[[Category:Lymphoreticular and Haematopoietic Diseases - Birds]] [[Category:Neurological Diseases - Birds]]