HEMOPARASITOSIS IN Cariama cristata – CASE STUDY

Abstract

Avian hemoparasitoses are diseases caused by microorganisms, such as protozoa and bacteria, transmitted mainly by hematophagous vectors, such as mosquitoes and ticks. Among the main agents are hemosporidia of the genera Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon, capable of parasitizing blood cells and tissues, increasing the pathogenic potential. The wide biodiversity of birds in Brazil favors the circulation of these parasites, especially in the face of environmental changes, habitat fragmentation, and greater proximity between urban and wild areas. This study aimed to report a case of hemoparasitosis in a seriema (Cariama cristata) treated at a veterinary hospital, highlighting the importance of blood smear as a rapid and accessible diagnostic method in the clinical routine of wild animals. The animal was rescued from a public road presenting apathy, decreased reflexes, and incoordination, with a fracture in the topography of the right tibiotarsus. Manual blood counts and blood smears stained using rapid panoptic and Leishman techniques were performed. Microscopic analysis revealed intracytoplasmic structures compatible with hemoparasites of the genus Haemoproteus. The observed clinical signs, although nonspecific, are compatible with hemoparasitic infections, especially in birds subjected to stress. Optical microscopy proved efficient for initial screening and morphological identification of the parasites, with Leishman staining being important for highlighting gametocytes and malarial pigments. However, limitations related to low parasitemia and morphological similarity reinforce the need for complementary techniques, such as PCR, for diagnostic confirmation. It is concluded that hematological and parasitological monitoring is essential for the clinical and conservation management of wild birds, contributing to epidemiological surveillance and the preservation of native fauna.