Microscopic examination of blood smears is a simple and
reliable method for detecting parasite infection. However, the
sensitivity of microscopy is depended on the number of cells
counted each slide and the experience of the person who reads the
slide, and our data could under-estimate the period of circulating
gametocytes. Additionally, monitoring chicken hosts over a period
of time may not detect infections with low gametocytemia at the
time of examination, as exemplified by HC2 of the April 1, 2013
survey (Figure 5 and Table S4). Development of more sensitive
methods such as PCR-based amplification to detect parasite DNA
in circulation may provide more accurate estimates of transmission
potential during the life of an infected host.