Cyathocotyle bushiensis (Digenea) and Sphaeridiotrema globulus (Digenea) are gastrointestinal pathogens of waterfowl, and are known to co-occur in salvaged ducks. The intensity and time-dependent pathogenesis induced by single infections of the two digeneans, and concurrent infections were studied in two species of dabbling ducks. Gross tissue pathology by single C. bushiensis infection was found to be a function of both the intensity and the duration of infection. Infection with single species infections of C. bushiensis and S. globulus was associated with decreased weight gain, tendencies for increased body temperatures and increased hematological parameters in Pekin ducklings. The hematological parameters in blue winged teal infected with C. bushiensis were found to decrease. Infection with S. globulus did not induce any significant systemic changes in the blue winged teal. A preliminary study of the effects of concurrent infection on the duck hosts suggests that in general, concurrent infection enhances the detrimental aspects of single infection, decreasing weight gain, increasing body temperatures, and decreasing hematological parameters in both species.

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