Prevalence of pigeon haemosporidians and effect of infection on biochemical factors in Iran.

Prevalence of pigeon haemosporidians and effect of infection with Haemoproteus columbae on biochemical factors were investigated in 280 wild pigeons (Columba livia) captured from various locations in Khorasan province, in eastern of Iran, between April 2008 and June 2009. Infection prevalence with H. columbae and Leucocytozoon was detected 50 and 2%, respectively. However, no pigeon showed infection with Plasmodium. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and albumin were the parameters which showed significant differences between parasitized and non parasitized pigeons and high ALT and AST activities and reduced serum albumin level (hypoalbominemia) were observed in pigeons infected with Haemoproteus. High level of AST, ALT, and hypoalbuminemia may be due to impairment of liver cells caused by hepatic migration of parasite for its life cycle.