Vector incrimination on Haemoproteus in Japan

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K05961
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42020:Veterinary medical science-related
• Research Institution: Iwate University (2023); Nihon University (2021-2022)
• Principal Investigator: Sato Yukita 岩手大学, 農学部, 教授 (40271762)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Haemoproteus / ヌカカ / Culicoides / 感染サイクル / Japan

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research aims to elucidate the insect vector species for avian haemosporidian parasites of the genus Haemoproteus, which widely infect birds in Japan and may be the lethal risk on naive birds kept outside their habitat (ex-situ), such as penguins. As a result, several genetic lineages of the Haemoproteus parasites carried by wild birds in Japan were detected from multiple species of genus Culicoides, including C. arakawae and C. kibunensis. This result suggests for the first time in Japan that these biting midges may act as vectors for the Haemoproteus in Japan. In addition, it is possible that some genetic lineages of Haemoproteus may be pathogenic to host birds, and it is necessary to continue monitoring the infection status of Haemoproteus parasites in Japan.

Free Research Field

獣医寄生虫学、疾病生態学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

鳥類に寄生する住血原虫3属（プラスモディウム、ヘモプロテウスおよびロイコチトゾーン）のうち、海外では報告されているが国内では唯一未確認であったヘモプロテウス属原虫の感染サイクルが解明された。すなわち、日本を含むアジアにおけるヘモプロテウス属原虫のベクターとなるヌカカ種が同定され、寄生虫学分野にける学術的知見の充実に貢献した。さらに、ヘモプロテウス属原虫の感染による病害が懸念される鳥種に対する獣医学的予防措置に資する基盤知見として、国の環境保全政策や保護対策など社会的にも活用されることが期待される。