Microbiological and parasitological survey of zoonotic agents in apparently healthy feral pigeons

Abstract

AbstractMicrobiological and parasitological investigation was carried out on a colony of feral pigeons, located in a green area near the main hospital of a Central Italy city. One hundred pigeons were submitted to clinical examination. Cloacal swabs, grouped in pool of 4 samples, were analyzed to detect the presence ofCoxiella burnetii,Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydophilaspp. using a biomolecular procedure, while individual cloacal samples were examined forSalmonellaspp.,Campylobacterspp., and yeasts by means of a specific culture media. An ELISA test was used to determine the presence ofGiardiaspp., andCryptosporidiumspp. coproantigens. Individual serological samples were also tested with the modified agglutination test (MAT) in order to detect antibodies againstToxoplasma gondii. The pigeons did not show any clinical signs. The cloacal pools proved to be negative forC. burnetiiDNA while three pools were positive forC. psittaciorChlamydophilaspp. DNAs.Salmonellaspp. was not detected.C. jejuniandC. coliwere found in 13% and 4% of the samples, respectively. NoGiardiaspp. andCryptosporidiumspp. were detected. Thirty-three out of 100 samples (33%) were positive for yeast colonies. The seroprevalence forT. gondiiwas 8%. Although with moderate incidence, potentially zoonotic agents were present thus highlighting the need for sanitary surveillance on feral pigeon colonies.