Effects of blood-induced infections of Plasmodium hermani on domestic and wild turkey poults.

Abstract

Experimental blood-induced infections of Plasmodium hermani were studied in young domestic and laboratory-reared wild turkey poults. Anemia, splenomegaly and decreased growth rates were observed, but no mortality due to the malarial infections occurred. It is suggested that malaria, acting in concert with other factors, may contribute to mortality of wild turkey poults in Florida during the first 3 to 4 weeks after hatching.