Plasmodium-associated mortality in trushes

Since a few years acute mortality in late summer has been observed in trush es (Turdinae) kept in aviaries by bird ringers. Only fieldfares and redwing s are affected. Swelling and darkening of spleens and livers are the most c onspicious lesions. Sexual and asexual stadia of Plasmodium were detected c ytologically in blood smears. Schizonts were found in impression smears of liver, spleen, and kidney. Incidence and pathogenesis of haematozoal infect ions in trushes are reviewed and compared with our findings.