LAUSR

Haemoproteus spp. is pathogenic protozoan that effecting blood circulatory system of birds. After reading various articles and texts different opinions were found about histopathological lesions and shapes of schizonts in different species of Haemoproteus . The present study was undertaken to evaluate the presence of Haemoproteus spp. in pigeons from Iran and its histopathological changes. A total of 108 blood samples were taken from pigeons to investigate Haemoproteus spp. presence by blood smear and semi-nested PCR targeting the cytochrome b gene methods. Also to evaluate histopathological changes 12 infected pigeons to Haemoproteus were sacrificed and studied. 34.2% of pigeons infected with Haemoproteus showed macro and microgametocytes in their erythrocytes while based on the molecular method 63.8% were infected. Results of histopathological study showed that focal lymphocytic aggregates, pigmentation and cell swelling in livers, multifocal nonsuppurative interstitial nephritis, pigmentation and white pulp hyperplasia in spleens were the main histopathological lesions in infected pigeons. Mild lymphocytic myocarditis in heart of one pigeon was the other finding. No histopathological changes were seen in brain, intestine and pancreas. Schizonts with variable shapes and sizes were detected in infected livers, lungs, kidneys and spleens but megaloschizonts were not found. This study is the first report of molecular prevalence of Haemoproteus spp. in Iran.