HAEMOPROTEUS INFECTION

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Causative Agent(s)

Haemoproteus species, Blood-borne protozoan. Vectors include culicoides and hippoboscid flies. Schizogony occurs in visceral endothelial cells. Gametocyte development is in erythrocytes.

Clinical Presentation and Epidemiology

Sudden death or prolonged course of weakness, lameness, dyspnoea, lethargy, poor growth, and anaemia. Fatal when necrosis is extensive with development of large exoerythrocytic megaloschizonts in muscle, heart, liver, and lung.

Diagnostic Consideration

Blood smear shows large, pigmented gametocytes in mature RBCs, which often partially or completely encircle the nucleus.

Treatment: No treatment has been approved for poultry. Prevention is by control invertebrate hosts.