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Columba livia is an important reservoir and carrier of Cryptococcus neoformans, Cryptococcus uniguttulatus, Cryptococcus laurentii and Cryptococcus albidus. Upper digestive tract of this species is also known as a habitat for Cryptococcus neoformans. Given the increasing clinical interest of this microorganism, 331 swabs from crop and 174 dropping samples from pigeon lofts in Grand Canary Island have been studied. The obtained results show an extensive presence samples 81 positive (24.47%) of Cryptococcus spp. in analysed crops: 32 (9.66%) for C. neoformans, 24 (7.2%) for C. uniguttulatus, 23 (6.9%) for C. albidus and 2 (0.6%) for C. laurentii. In the same way, Cryptococcus spp was also isolated in 82 (47.13%), dropping samples: C. neoformans in 59 (33.9%), C. uniguttulatus, in 9 (5.17%), C. laurentii in 8 (4.59%) and C. albidus in 6 (3.44%) of the investigated samples, respectively. The cryptococcosis produced by species of cryptococci other than C. neoformans has become more important during the last decade, supporting the study on the role of pigeon in the epidemiology of this disease.

It can be assumed that pigeons and their droppings act as carriers and reservoirs of Candida spp. and other zoonotic yeasts.

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A 16-year-old, male, Hanoverian horse had a three-month history of weight loss, hirsutism and polyuria/polydypsia. Examinations revealed neutrophilia, lymphopenia, hyper glycaemia and abnormalities in hepatic function. A tentative diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism was made. The results of thyroid-releasing hormone and combined dexamethasone suppression and ACTH stimulation tests suggested the presence of a pituitary adenoma. The horse was treated with pergolide and beneficial clinical and biochemical responses were observed within one to six months.

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The experimental protocol of immunization tested here confirms its protective effect against Haemonchus contortus in goats. This protection translated into a 65.5% mean reduction in adult worm burden after a homologous challenge, and a significant decrease (73.2%) in cumulative faecal egg counts (FECs). These parasitological findings were consistent with the levels of some biopathological parameters. Thus, the reduction in adult worms and FEC observed in immunized animals were associated with increased levels of packed cell volume as well as plasma proteins. This response seems to be related to an important increase in specific antibodies (in serum and gastric mucus) and eosinophilia in response to challenge. At the local level, a cellular response was also observed in which CD4 lymphocytes and globule leucocytes played a predominant role. Finally, it should be noted that the study of immunolocalization of proteins used in the vaccination trial suggests that these antigens have an internal location (at intestinal and reproductive tissues) in the adult worm. This observation, in conjunction with the kinetics of specific antibody levels after the challenge, suggests that these antigens may be part of excretory/secretory (E/S) products.