The Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Avian Malaria in Wild Birds in the Republic of Korea

With avian malaria threatening populations of wild birds, this study was conducted to determine its prevalence among wild birds rescued in Jeonbuk state in the Republic of Korea. A total of 1043 wild birds were included in this study from 2017 to 2022. Both quantitative polymerase chain reaction and...

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Main Authors: Myeongsu Kim, Zun Zun Wut Hmohn, Jae-Ik Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/957
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author Myeongsu Kim
Zun Zun Wut Hmohn
Jae-Ik Han
author_facet Myeongsu Kim
Zun Zun Wut Hmohn
Jae-Ik Han
author_sort Myeongsu Kim
collection DOAJ
description With avian malaria threatening populations of wild birds, this study was conducted to determine its prevalence among wild birds rescued in Jeonbuk state in the Republic of Korea. A total of 1043 wild birds were included in this study from 2017 to 2022. Both quantitative polymerase chain reaction and conventional polymerase chain reaction were used. <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. were detected in 75 of the 1043 (7.19%) wild birds. <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. were detected every year, and their prevalence was significantly higher in winter and winter migratory birds (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. detected in wild birds were confirmed to have 30 different lineages. The most frequently detected species was <i>Plasmodium circumflexum</i> (cytochrome <i>b</i> lineage SW5 and TURDUS1), which is known to prefer cold. In this study, the <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. detected in the Republic of Korea were found to contain a high proportion of species preferring colder climates. This suggested that the monitoring of <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. in the Republic of Korea should be conducted year round, with a focus on monitoring migratory birds coming from colder climates. Ongoing monitoring and research are needed to understand the impact of <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. on wild bird populations.
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spelling doaj-art-1f6a8e6dc3ef4a6b83eac6506a1eb3f72025-08-20T02:17:00ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-03-0115795710.3390/ani15070957The Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Avian Malaria in Wild Birds in the Republic of KoreaMyeongsu Kim0Zun Zun Wut Hmohn1Jae-Ik Han2Laboratory of Wildlife Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Republic of KoreaLaboratory of Wildlife Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Republic of KoreaLaboratory of Wildlife Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Republic of KoreaWith avian malaria threatening populations of wild birds, this study was conducted to determine its prevalence among wild birds rescued in Jeonbuk state in the Republic of Korea. A total of 1043 wild birds were included in this study from 2017 to 2022. Both quantitative polymerase chain reaction and conventional polymerase chain reaction were used. <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. were detected in 75 of the 1043 (7.19%) wild birds. <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. were detected every year, and their prevalence was significantly higher in winter and winter migratory birds (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. detected in wild birds were confirmed to have 30 different lineages. The most frequently detected species was <i>Plasmodium circumflexum</i> (cytochrome <i>b</i> lineage SW5 and TURDUS1), which is known to prefer cold. In this study, the <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. detected in the Republic of Korea were found to contain a high proportion of species preferring colder climates. This suggested that the monitoring of <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. in the Republic of Korea should be conducted year round, with a focus on monitoring migratory birds coming from colder climates. Ongoing monitoring and research are needed to understand the impact of <i>Plasmodium</i> spp. on wild bird populations.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/957avian malaria<i>Plasmodium circumflexum</i><i>Plasmodium relictum</i><i>Plasmodium homonucleophilum</i>TURDUS1
spellingShingle Myeongsu Kim
Zun Zun Wut Hmohn
Jae-Ik Han
The Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Avian Malaria in Wild Birds in the Republic of Korea
Animals
avian malaria
<i>Plasmodium circumflexum</i>
<i>Plasmodium relictum</i>
<i>Plasmodium homonucleophilum</i>
TURDUS1
title The Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Avian Malaria in Wild Birds in the Republic of Korea
title_full The Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Avian Malaria in Wild Birds in the Republic of Korea
title_fullStr The Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Avian Malaria in Wild Birds in the Republic of Korea
title_full_unstemmed The Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Avian Malaria in Wild Birds in the Republic of Korea
title_short The Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Avian Malaria in Wild Birds in the Republic of Korea
title_sort prevalence and genetic diversity of avian malaria in wild birds in the republic of korea
topic avian malaria
<i>Plasmodium circumflexum</i>
<i>Plasmodium relictum</i>
<i>Plasmodium homonucleophilum</i>
TURDUS1
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/7/957
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