A comparative analysis of the dynamics of Plasmodium relictum (GRW4) development in the blood during single and co-infections.

Although co-infections and interactions of parasites are a very common phenomenon in the wild, information received from studies on avian Plasmodium spp. is scarce and fragmented due to its complex nature. Different interactions of parasites and domination of one parasite may have a detrimental effect on transmission success of another pathogen.

Dynamics of blood stage and sporozoite-induced malarial infections in experimentally infected passerines.

Complex experimental studies of vertebrate host, vector, and parasite interactions are essential in understanding virulence, but are difficult or impossible to conduct if vector species are unknown. Subinoculation of erythrocytic meronts of avian malarial parasites into susceptible hosts can avoid this problem, but this approach omits early exoerythrocytic stages, e.g.

Interrupted breeding in a songbird migrant triggers development of nocturnal locomotor activity.

Long-distance avian migrants, e.g. Eurasian reed warblers (Acrocephalus scirpaceus), can precisely schedule events of their annual cycle.

The Strategy to Survive Primary Malaria Infection: An Experimental Study on Behavioural Changes in Parasitized Birds.

Avian malaria parasites (Haemosporida, Plasmodium) are of cosmopolitan distribution, and they have a significant impact on vertebrate host fitness. Experimental studies show that high parasitemia often develops during primary malaria infections. However, field studies only occasionally reveal high parasitemia in free-living birds sampled using the traditional methods of mist-netting or trapping, and light chronic infections predominate.