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Leucocytozoonosis
Other Names: Chicken Malaria
Leucocytozoonosis is a vector-borne, parasitic disease of birds, caused by infection with the blood parasite Leucocytozoon. Chickens are primarily affected by L. caulleryi, L. andrewsi, L. schoutedeni, and L. sabrezi. The parasite is found frequently in chickens in southern and eastern Asia, and the south eastern United States. In one survey, 13.6% of domestic backyard chickens in South Carolina were infected.
L. caulleryi are transmitted by black flies (Simulium) and biting midges (Culicoides) and are known for infection and destruction of the host's red blood cells, resulting in intravascular hemolytic anemia. Black flies or biting midges will carry the infective sporozoites in their salivary gland, which gets transferred into the bird upon the insect bite. One inside the bird's body, sporozoites travel to the liver, enter hepatocytes and replicate numerous times and migrate to different tissues and organs, such as the brain, spleen, heart, and lungs.
Clinical Signs of Leucocytozoonosis in Chickens
Clinical signs of Leucocytozoonosis in chickens varies depending on the chicken's age and health status. In young chicks, the disease is usually more severe and progresses very quickly. Signs include loss of appetite, listlessness, rapid breathing, weakness, and sometimes death within 24 hours. When adult chickens are affected, signs of disease usually occur gradually, and are milder in nature then with younger birds.
Chickens who recover from leucocytozoonosis may still harbor L. caulleryi in their blood for at least one year.
Case 1: Leucocytozoon infection in a Welsh Harlequin Ducks A group of eleven, 6-week-old Welsh Harlequin ducklings hatched in Northern Ontario in late June were housed indoors until approximately 4-5 weeks of age, and then were allowed access to an outdoor enclosure during the day. Other than green watery diarrhea, the ducks were clinically normal. However in mid-August, at six weeks of age, one of the ducks became inappetent and lethargic, exhibited labored breathing, and died overnight. In the following two days, three more ducks died, the last two exhibiting similar clinical signs as the first. In total, the owner lost 5 of the 11 ducks; two recovered following intensive supportive care. Chickens were also maintained on the same property but housed in a separate enclosure and suffered no morbidity or mortality. Pens were cleaned every 1-2 days; feed and water were always available and refreshed daily. Ref
Isolate the bird from the flock and place in a safe, comfortable, warm location (your own chicken "intensive care unit") with easy access to water and food. Limit stress. Call your veterinarian.
Primaquine
0.75-1 mg/kg PO once, used in conjunction with chloroquine (25 mg/kg PO at 0h, then 15 mg/kg at 12,24, and 48h)
B Speers
Pyrimethamine
Given orally (0.5 mg/kg PO q12h x 14-28 days) or in feed (1 mg/kg feed for 28 days), Supplement with folic acid.
Lin, W. Y., et al. Use of phytogenic R to improve leucocytozoonosis and diarrhea in laying hens. Journal of the Chinese Society of Animal Science 50 (2021)
