Infection Dynamics of Hepatozoon rawashi in Its Type Locality in Egypt: First Insights into Leukocyte Responses, Renal and Cardiac Merogonic Findings, and DNA Fragmentation

This study provides an in-depth analysis of Hepatozoon rawashi infecting Ptyodactylus hasselquistii in its type locality in Egypt, revealing new insights into the dynamics of parasite infection. The overall prevalence of the parasite was 52.9%, and the majority of infections were recorded at intermediate levels of parasitemia. Males were observed to have slightly higher infection rates, which also correlated with increased host body weight. Leukocytes count alterations were marked by a reduction in heterophils and thrombocytes, whereas there were significant increases in eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and azurophils, with basophilia being particularly prominent. Histological examinations provided the first-ever documentation of renal and cardiac merogonic stages of H. rawashi, thus extending its tissue tropism beyond the previously reported lung and liver involvement. Additionally, DNA fragmentation assays highlighted the systemic genotoxicity induced by the parasite, with the kidneys and lungs being the most affected organs. In conclusion, H. rawashi causes statistically significant parasitemia-dependent hematological changes, including reduced heterophils and thrombocytes and increased eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and azurophils (p < 0.05), along with expanded tissue tropism and genotoxic damage, highlighting its pathogenic potential and impact on host–parasite interactions.