Molecular characterization of isosporoid coccidia (Isospora and Atoxoplasma spp.) in passerine birds.

Prevalence and disease caused by isosporoid coccidia in passerine birds are well recognized, but confusion about the life cycles of the parasites has led to taxonomic inconsistencies. In this study, we characterized segments of the chromosomal small and large-subunit ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes of coccidial parasites from 23 species of passerine birds, as well as heat shock protein 70, apicoplast rRNA, and chromosomal 5.8s rRNA genes from a subgroup of these animals, and we correlated genetic data with morphologic findings for different parasite developmental stages, host phylogeny, and overall taxonomic relations within the phylum Apicomplexa.

Molecular characterization of malarial parasites in captive passerine birds.

Seven of 28 passerine birds that died in captivity were positive for malarial parasites by polymerase chain reaction targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytB) and apicoplast ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Each bird was infected with a single parasite lineage having a unique genotype. Apicoplast rRNA sequences were present both in Haemoproteus spp.