• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.282-284
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• 2015

This report describes asymptomatic Haemoproteus infection in wild Eurasian eagle owls (Bubo bubo) diagnosed by blood smear and DNA analysis. This is the first description of natural Haemoproteus infection in wild Eurasian eagle owl in South Korea and suggests that the wild resident bird population can be a source for Haemoproteus infection of domestic poultry.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2021

Avian haemosporidia, including malarial parasites, are geologically and biologically widespread. The protozoal pathogen has been a subject of intensive research in the past, which has resulted in major medical progress. Haemosporidia infection in avian species in South Korea has been studied in wild birds and layer flocks, but not in pet birds. At the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Chungbuk National University, 75 birds that presented for health check-up were tested to evaluate the infection rate of Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon in birds without clinical symptoms. Haemoproteus spp. and Leucocytozoon spp. were simultaneously detected in a Major Mitchell's cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri) by polymerase chain reaction, representing 1.33% of the tested birds. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the infective Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon strains were similar to those detected in foreign countries rather than those detected in the wild birds of Korea. Although the infection rate may not be indicative of a substantial infection in healthy pet parrots, the import of infected birds can pose a threat by allowing foreign pathogens to infect the local wild flocks or livestock. This is the first surveillance study of avian haemosporidia in pet parrots in South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.95-99
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• 2017

Wild owls are widespread in Korea, even being common in urban areas due to the presence of hills or small mountains in and around the cities. This results in high levels of contact between owls and domestic animals. This study investigated the prevalence of avian hematozoan parasite infection in 2 common owl species in Chungbuk province of Republic of Korea for 3-year period: the Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) and the Brown hawk owl (Ninox scutulata). Peripheral blood smears taken from 56 wild owls were examined by microscopic examination and confirmed by molecular technique. Twenty (36%) of these samples tested positive for the Haemoproteus infection. The infection rate was higher in Brown hawk owls (50%) than in Eurasian eagle owls (33%). These results indicate that the wild owls may act as a reservoir for Haemoproteus infection in susceptible domestic birds.