BY: RENAE ANDERSON, HOLLY MOZDIN, & ANDREA THOMAS

OCTOBER 26 , 2010FALL QUARTER

VT242-PL6

Reptile Blood Parasites

Haemogregarine

The most common intracellular blood parasite with over 300 species described

These typically infect RBCs, and to a lesser extent WBCs of the intermediate host.

4 of the 6 are known to infect reptiles and amphibians and include: Haemogregarina Hepatozoon Hemolivia Karyolysus

Transmission/Hosts

The transmission of haemogregarines can be due to a blood sucking vector or ingestion of an infected host.

The transmission of haemogregarines typically varies by genera and has not been elucidated for all of these organisms

Haemogregarine Genera

Intermediate Host Definitive Host

Karyolysus Lacerta sp. lizards and, possibly, scincids (skinks)

Mite

Hemolivia Toads, lizards Ticks, Also transmitted by predation of infected lizards and amphibians

Hepatozoon Snakes, lizards,amphibians Leeches, sucking lice, fleas, triatomid bugs, flies, mosquitoes, sandflies, tsetse flies, ixodid and argasid ticks, mites

Also transmitted by predation of infected lizards and amphibians

Possible congenital transmission in snakes

Haemogregarina Turtles Leeches

General Symptoms

Generally do not cause significant clinical disease. Changes associated with haemogregarine infections may include displacement of hemoglobin within infected RBCs and mild dysproteinemia (alterations in serum or plasma proteins).1

The meronts of haemogregarines may form cysts in various organs of the body including liver, spleen, kidney, and brain. These cysts may contain deposits of pigment or may be surrounded by inflammatory cells.

General Treatment/Prevention

If parasites are observed, they generally are considered benign and do not warrant treatment.

Currently, an effective treatment for haemogregarines does not exist. However, it is unlikely that a treatment protocol will be necessary based on the limited ability of haemogregarines to cause clinical disease.

Prevention of parasitic infection can be achieved by acquiring reptiles and amphibians that are free of the parasite on blood smear examination and by using an appropriate food supply that will not introduce the parasite into the collection. This is especially important for the genus Hepatozoon that can be transmitted to abnormal

host species. Proper insect control and routine quarantine measures also should be

instituted so animals that are haemogregarine test-negative are not exposed to any haemogregarine test-positive animals the collection.

Reptiles and amphibians also should be maintained in enclosures that reduce environmental stress by preventing overcrowding. This, in turn, may reduce the overall parasite burden of captive reptiles and amphibians.

NOT CONSIDERED TO BE ZOONOTIC!!!

Comparison Images

Elongate to crescent, banana, or sausage-shaped, haemogregarine parasites within the cytoplasm erythrocytes in Romanowsky-stained blood smears of a snake (left) and turtle (right) (Diff-Quik stain).

Time to Split… The End!