Evaluating the Prevalence of Isospora in Parrots in Golestan Province
Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Babol Branch, Babol, Iran
2 Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
10.22084/avr.2025.30529.1001
Abstract
Introduction: Parasitic infections in pet birds are common issues in veterinary medicine. Isospora is an important pathogenic agent in birds, particularly in various species of parrots, causing diarrhea and feather loss. This study investigates the prevalence of Isospora infection in parrots in Golestan Province.* Materials and Methods: In this study, fecal samples were collected from parrots that were brought to veterinary clinics in Golestan Province by their owners between October 2022 and May 2023, as well as from parrots kept in pet shops. The samples were examined using the sucrose otation method. Results: Among the 51 samples examined, 6 birds showed clinical signs of lethargy, 12 exhibited feather loss, and 9 had watery diarrhea. The results of both the otation and direct microscopic examinations indicated that none of the birds were infected with Isospora. Conclusion: The ndings suggest a low prevalence of Isospora in parrots of Golestan Province. Based on the negative test results, it can be concluded that Isospora is not widely prevalent in this region, and the clinical symptoms observed in parrots are likely due to other parasitic, bacterial, or viral infections.
Keywords
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gao) and Isospora canaria sp. n. in the canary (Ser-
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ology. 1975 May; 22(2): 165-9.
Isospora spp. from humans, nonhuman primates,
and domestic animals. Clinical microbiology re-
views. 1997 Jan; 10(1): 19-34.
[2] Goodgame RW. Understanding intestinal spore-
forming protozoa: cryptosporidia, microsporidia,
isospora, and cyclospora. Annals of Internal
Medicine. 1996 Feb 15; 124(4): 429-41.
[3] Maria de Fatima C, Oliveira MD, Ortuzar-
Ferreira CN, Martins TF, Berto BP, de Lima VM.
Isospora tiedetopetei n. sp.(Chromista: Apicom-
plexa: Eimeriidae) from black-goggled tanagers
Trichothraupis melanops (Vieillot, 1818) (Passer-
iformes: Thraupidae: Tachyphoninae) in South
America. Parasitology International. 2025 Jun 1;
106: 103027.
[4] Chen Y, Brice B, Berto BP, Yang R. Morpho-
logical and Molecular Characterization of a New
Isospora (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) Species From
a Singing Honeyeater (Gavicalis virescens Vieil-
lot, 1817) (Passeriformes: Meliphagidae) in West-
ern Australia. Ecology and Evolution. 2025 Jan;
15(1): e70801.
[5] Tokiwa T, Morizane R, Chou S, Duszynski DW.
A new genus and species of isosporoid coccidium
from captive green tree frogs, Ranoidea caerulea
(Anura: Hylidae). International Journal for Para-
sitology: Parasites and Wildlife. 2025 Apr 1; 26:
101020.
[6] Hemmati A, Gholami-Ahangaran M, Moghtadaei-
Khorasgani E. Diagnosis of visceral form of
Isospora infection (atoxoplasma) in black spot
syndrome in canaries, in Iran. Journal of Parasitic
Diseases. 2023 Jun; 47(2): 246-9.
[7] Sanchez-Cordon PJ, GomezVillamandos JC,
Gutierrez J, Sierra MA, Pedrera M, Bautista MJ.
Atoxoplasma spp. infection in captive canaries
(Serinus canaria). Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Series A. 2007 Feb; 54(1): 23-6.
[8] Tavasoli M, Dastjerd JA. Gastrointestinal para-
sites of aviary and pet birds in Urmia. Veteri-
nary Research & Biological Products. 2004 May
20; 17(1); 37-39.
[9] Islampanah M, Motamedi GR, Mohammadi AR,
Niroumand M, Rivaz S. Prevalence study of Eime-
ria species in broilers and layer chickens in Tehran
and Alborz provinces. Veterinary Research & Bi-
ological Products. 2015 Dec 22; 28(4): 31-6.
[10] De Freitas MF, De Oliveira JB, de Brito Caval-
canti MD, de Freitas DA. Occurrence of coccidio-
sis in canaries (Serinus canarius) being kept in pri-
vate captivity in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.
Parasitologa latinoamericana. 2003 Jan; 58(1-2):
86-8.
[11] Saki CE, Ozer E. Isospora species (I. canaria,
Isospora sp.) in canaries (Serinus canarius, Lin-
naeus). Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal
Sciences. 2012; 36(2): 197-200.
[12] Box ED. Exogenous stages of Isospora serini (Ara-
gao) and Isospora canaria sp. n. in the canary (Ser-
inus canarius Linnaeus). The Journal of Protozo-
ology. 1975 May; 22(2): 165-9.
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