New insights into recently emerged Leucocytozoon caulleri infection in Egyptian broiler flocks through clinical, pathological, hematological, and molecular investigation

Faculty Veterinary Medicine Year: 2025
Type of Publication: ZU Hosted Pages:
Authors:
Journal: Scientific Reports Springer Nature Volume:
Keywords : , insights into recently emerged Leucocytozoon caulleri    
Abstract:
Leucocytozoonosis is a vector-borne blood protozoal disease that affects birds worldwide. Although Egypt has a large-scale poultry industry, data on Leucocytozoon infections in broilers remain limited. This study reports the first detection of leucocytozoonosis in 24 broiler farms (180,000 birds) in El-Sharkia governorate, Egypt. The affected broiler flocks were raised in open poultry farms located near agricultural rice fields and water sources during the late summer season, which are conditions favorable for vector proliferation. Clinically, infected birds exhibited depression, anorexia, weight loss, and anemia, with mortality rates ranging from 0.5% to 2%. Postmortem examination revealed widespread hemorrhages across multiple organs and a large pool of blood in the abdominal cavity. Microscopic examination of blood smears and cell block preparations showed the presence of various gametocytes within leukocytes and erythrocytes. Histopathological examination identified characteristic megaloschizonts in multiple organs, including the kidneys, liver, lungs, muscles, heart, intestine, pancreas, and spleen, accompanied by hemorrhages, necrosis, and mononuclear cell infiltration, primarily lymphocytes and macrophages. Molecular identification using real-time PCR confirmed L. caulleryi infection, corroborating the hematological and pathological findings. This study provides key insights into L. caulleryi diagnosis, promotes awareness among veterinarians and poultry producers, and highlights the need for improved biosecurity.
   
     
 
       

Author Related Publications

    Department Related Publications

    • Tariq Khamis Kamal Ahmed Khamis, "Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells expressing Neat-1, Hotair-1, miR-21, miR-644, and miR-144 subsided cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian insufficiency by remodeling the IGF-1–kisspeptin system, ovarian apoptosis, and angiogenesis", Springer Nature, 2024 More
    • Tariq Khamis Kamal Ahmed Khamis, "Impact of liposomal hesperetin in broilers: prospects for improving performance, antioxidant potential, immunity, and resistance against Listeria monocytogenes", Taylor and Francis, 2024 More
    • Tariq Khamis Kamal Ahmed Khamis, "Effectiveness of cannabidiol (CBD) on histopathological changes and gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model in male rats: the role of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway", Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2024 More
    • Tariq Khamis Kamal Ahmed Khamis, "Genistein supplementation attenuates arsenic-triggered neurobehavioral deficits and ER stress-associated gene dysregulation in Nile tilapia", Springer, 2025 More
    • Tariq Khamis Kamal Ahmed Khamis, "Immune-antioxidant responses, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, resistance to Aeromonas sobria in Nile tilapia under arsenic exposure: The mitigating role of a genistein-fortified diet", Springer, 2025 More
    Tweet