Avian Hosts for Malaria Research

Abstract

Of 4 avian hosts available for malaria research in the U. S.[long dash]canary, chicken, pigeon, and duck[long dash]the duck is believed to be the most suitable. Ducks and canaries are susceptible to several spp. of Plasmodium, each of which produces a sufficiently severe and lasting infection to be useful for laboratory study. Advantages of ducks over the canaries are their size, low cost and adequate supply. Chickens and pigeons are each susceptible only to 1 sp. of Plasmodium available in this country. Moreover, even P. lophurae produces a more severe and lasting infection in the duck than it does in the chicken. The vector of the pigeon Plasmodium is unknown; the vectors of at least 3. spp. of Plasmodium from ducks are known. Embryos of ducks only are thus far known to be susceptible to spp. of Plasmodium available in the U. S. Plasmodium in duck tissues can be maintained successfully in culture.