In this study, both L. simondi and L. caulleryi were found in lymphocytes. Incase of L. simondi infection, the gametocytes were found in leucocyte and in Giemsa’s stain these were more or less elongated measuring upto 14 to 22 μ long in their host cells. In some cases this size extended upto 45 to 55 μ. The nucleus of the host cell was seen forming a very long, thin, dark band in one side of the cell. Pale cytoplasmic horns were seen in either sides, extending out beyond the parasite and the nucleus (Fig. 1). The gametocyte found in leucocyte specially lymphocyte. These descriptions were in conformity to the keys and description given by Levine (1985).
In L. caulleryi infection, the gametocyte, which was identified from the leucocyte were round and measuring 15.5 by 15.0 μ. The nucleus of the host cell formed a narrow dark violet coloured band extending about a third of the way around the parasite. Infected cells were some what larger (Fig. 2). This description was almost similar to the descriptions of Levine (1985). In L. caulleryi infection about 6-22% cells were found to be infected whereas incase of L. simondi infection only 1-2% cells were infected. This result could not be compared due to lack of relevant literatures.
Pathology produced by haemoprotozoa in duck
Grossly, the lungs were congested (Fig. 3) but there were no other gross lesions in any organs. Microscopically, in lungs, there were lots of eosinophilic infiltration and blood vessels were congested. The congested area contains aberrant structure suggesting the presence of haemoprotozoa (Fig. 4). Few RBC displayed multiple parasitic inclusions. Comma shaped gamete of haemoprotozoa were seen in between the cord of hepatocytes in liver (Fig. 5). Schizont like structures were seen in the alveolar epithelium of the affected lung accompanied with neutrophilic infiltration. The lungs alveoli were distended and ruptured in advance stage (Fig. 6). In kidneys, the capillaries were congested and hemozoinic pigments were present in congested blood. Renal tubules were necrosed with the disintegration of necrotic cellular mass accompanied with focal accumulation of reactive cells (Fig. 7). These findings are some what similar to the result described by Yin et al. (2002), who studied the pathology of experimentally infected L. caulleryi infection in 300 chickens. This change might be due to the liberation of gametocytes from the affected cells.