title: Apparent effect of chronicPlasmodiuminfections on disease severity caused by experimental infections withMycoplasma gallisepticumin house finches.
abstract: An epidemic caused by a successful host jump of the bacterial pathogenMycoplasma gallisepticumfrom poultry to house finches in the 1990s has by now spread across most of North America.M. gallisepticumcauses severe conjunctivitis in house finches. We experimentally show thatM. gallisepticumtransmission to birds with or without chronicPlasmodiuminfection does not differ. However, once infected withM. gallisepticumhouse finches chronically infected withPlasmodiumdevelop more severe clinical disease than birds without such infection. We speculate as to possible effects of coinfection.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States.
authors.forename: André A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Dhondt
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States.
authors.forename: Keila V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Dhondt
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nazeri
keywords: Coinfection; Haemorhous mexicanus