Molecular Prevalence, Phylogeny and Hematological Impact of Toxoplasma Gondii and Plasmodium Spp. in Common Quails from Punjab, Pakistan

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2024 May 31

PMID 38820542

Authors

Ghafoor Ahmad

Ardas Masud

Muhammad Naeem

Abdul Ghafar

Hira Muqaddas

Muhammad Fiaz Qamar

Ayman A Swelum

Maged A Al-Garadi

Majid S Jabir

Mourad Ben Said

Adil Khan

Furhan Iqbal

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This study investigates the molecular prevalence and phylogenetic characteristics of two prominent blood-borne pathogens, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Plasmodium spp., in common quails (Coturnix coturnix) sampled from both wild (N = 236) and farmed (N = 197) populations across four districts (Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Lahore, and Multan) in Punjab, Pakistan, during the hunting seasons from 2021 to 2023. Additionally, the impact of these pathogens on the complete blood count (CBC) of the hosts is examined. Out of 433 quails tested, 25 (5.8%) exhibited amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) gene for T. gondii, while 15 (3.5%) showed amplification of the Cytochrome b gene for Plasmodium spp. A risk factor analysis indicated that the prevalence of both pathogens was not confined to specific sampling sites or bird sexes (P > 0.05). District-wise analysis highlighted that hens were more susceptible to both T. gondii and Plasmodium spp. infections than cocks. Wild quails exhibited a higher susceptibility to T. gondii compared to farmed birds. Significant CBC variations were recorded in infected birds as compared to uninfected ones. BLAST analysis of generated sequences has confirmed the identity of recovered PCR amplicons as T. gondii and Plasmodium relictum. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Pakistani isolates clustered with those reported from various countries globally. This study provides the first documentation of T. gondii and Plasmodium sp. infections in Pakistani quails, underscoring the need for detailed investigations across different regions to enhance our understanding of infection rates and the zoonotic potential of these parasites.

Citing Articles

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Ghafar S, Khan A, Khalid M, Haq S, Ullah S, Basit U Folia Microbiol (Praha). 2025; .

PMID: 39985744 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-025-01250-y.

Toxoplasma gondii infection affects the complete blood count and disturbs the markers of oxidative stress from the vital organs of wild rodents.

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