The experimental study on susceptibility of common European songbirds to Plasmodium elongatum (lineage pGRW6), a widespread avian malaria parasite.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Plasmodium elongatum (cytochrome b lineage pGRW6) is a widespread avian malaria parasite, often causing severe disease in non-adapted hosts. This parasite lineage is of global distribution however, its virulence remains insufficiently understood, particularly in wild birds. Surprisingly, this infection has never been reported in Common starlings Sturnus vulgaris and Common crossbills Loxia curvirostra, common European songbirds which were extensively sampled across Europe. A hypothesis was proposed that these birds might be resistant to the pGRW6 infection. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis.

Methods

Lineage pGRW6 was isolated from a naturally infected Eurasian reed warbler, multiplied in vivo and inoculated in Common starlings and Common crossbills

SUBMITTER: Ilgunas M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6712775 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature