1. Presentation by: Sara Meyers Nicole Haight
Leucocytozoon
Presentation by:
Sara Meyers
Nicole Haight

2. Leucocytozoon It is the most important blood protozoa of birds
It infects both wild and domestic host birds
Over 60 different species of Leucocytozoon are found in various birds
Belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa
First seen by Danilewsky in 1884

3. Hosts Definitive host: Birds, both domestic and wild
Intermediate host/vector : Black flies (family Simuliidae)
Notable species:
~L. simondi- ducks, geese and swans
~L. smithi- wild and domistic turkeys
~L. caulleryi- chickens

4. Geographic Distribution
Cases of Leucocytozoon have been reported all over, except Antarctica, due to the inability for the vector to survive

6. Morphology
Gametocytes are µm long on a fixed smear- up to 22 µm in living cells
Macrogametocytes have a red staining nucleus
Microgametocytes have a pale staining diffuse nucleus

7. Leucocytozoonosis
Young birds are more susceptible, older birds are more resistant
Infection is seasonal, usually when the weather warms up, this is when vectors are more available
Survivors obtain immunity from re-infection, but often suffer chronic, low levels of infection - reservoirs for parasites
Sudden onset of infection, spreads quickly

8. Clinical Signs Often Asymptomatic Anemia Elevated leukocyte count
Enlarged and necrotic liver
Enlarged spleen - up to 20x its normal size!
Fatal if brain or heart tissue are destroyed
Emaciation
Difficulty breathing
Weakness or lameness in one or both legs

9. Treatment Control the vector populations
No vaccines are currently available for general use

10. Work Cited
Atkinson, Carter T. “Chapter 24: Hemosporidiosis” Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases: Birds. pp
Janovy, John Jr. and Roberts, Larry S., Gerald D. Schmidt and Larry S. Robert’s Foundations of Parasitology, 7th edition, 2005.