Do blood parasites increase immature erythrocytes and mitosis in amphibians?

Introduction: In amphibians, blood may act as a hematopoietic tissue. However, the knowledge concerning hematological features is scarce, there not much information that allows an analysis about possible explanations of this physiological feature. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate relationship between immature red cells (RBCs) mitosis and presence parasites in amphibians. Methods: We sampled 116 amphibians (31 species) six Colombian localities. Blood was taken by cardiac puncture or maxillary vein puncture. Smears were prepared, fixed, Giemsa stained for microscopical analysis. The variables analyzed percentage RBCs, mitotic peripheral blood, parasite infection. Data using Wilcoxon's rank test exact Fisher statistical tests. Results: Sixty-two individuals showed these RBCs shared morphological with RBCs. Overall, prevalence 30.1 %, distributed follows: Trypanosoma (24.1 %), Hepatozoon-like (6 Dactylosoma (4.3 Karyolysus-like (0.9 Filarioidea (2.6 %). A positive association found, also infection Conclusions: study, we found parasites, are frequent events amphibians' our suggests those features. Thus, release be response Further studies characterizing hematology wildlife, general, desirable.