Domestic Pigeons As A Potential Hazzard For Transmission Of Some Human Protozoan Parasites

Abstract

Domestic pigeons (Columba liviadomestica) of the order Columbiformes are ubiquitous birds and can be found in virtually every town and city around the globe. Their interaction with humans and domestic animals and wild birds makes them a potential carrier of zoonotic parasites. The present study aimed to detect the prevalence of different zoonotic protozoans that affect different-aged domestic pigeons in different localities in Assiut Governorate, Egypt. A total of 50 fecal samples from 20 young and 30 adult pigeons were collected and examined for identification and estimation of prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. and Microsporidium sp. using modified Kinyoun acid-fast stain. For detection of the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, serum samples from 50 pigeons were examined serologically for the presence of Toxoplasma antibodies by using Latex Agglutination test. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. infection was 20%; 6.7% in adult pigeons and 40 % in young pigeons while that of Microsporidium sp. was 40% both in adult and young pigeons. Mixed infection was detected in only two young pigeons (10%). Regarding Toxoplasma gondii detection, the number of seropositive cases detected by LAT was 29 out of 50 (58%). The positive agglutination titers, among 14 (48.27%) seropositive pigeons ranged between 1:2 -1:128. It was concluded that domestic pigeons may be considered as a reservoir host for Cryptosporidium, Microsporidium, and Toxoplasmagondii human infection which represents a serious human public health problem especially for high risk groups of population living in the same dwellings with pigeons. Moreover, the present pilot results provide a baseline data for planning future researches and control strategies against domestic pigeon's parasites.

Detection of Cryptosporidium Infection in Domestic Pigeons in Baghdad City Using Conventional PCR Technique

“…The investigation revealed younger pigeons exhibited a higher incidence of Cryptosporidium infection compared to their adult counterparts. This aligns with prior research conducted by [19] in Egypt, where 40% of young pigeons were found to have cryptosporidiosis, potentially attributed to their less developed immune systems. However, this observation diverges from the findings of [20], who reported no significant difference in infection rates between young pigeons (12.26%) and adults (9.57%).…”

“…However, this observation diverges from the findings of [20], who reported no significant difference in infection rates between young pigeons (12.26%) and adults (9.57%). This discrepancy underscores the complexity of Cryptosporidium dynamics and highlights the need for further investigation into age-related susceptibility factors [19], [20].…”

Detection of Cryptosporidium‎‎ spp in Bobwhite Quails (Coturnix coturnix) by ‎Traditional Methods in Baghdad City, Iraq

“…According to research from Algeria (37), the prevalence rate of infection chicken increases significantly up to the age of 40 days before declining till the age of 64 days. Young pigeon infection rates in Egypt were 40% and adult pigeon infection rates were 20% (39).…”

“…Transmission of Cryptosporidium spp. occurs through inhalation or ingestion of sporulated oocysts from contaminated sources, leading to the infection cycle where sporozoites excyst in the intestine and invade the epithelial cells (4,5). This cycle can also manifest in respiratory diseases when the parasite colonizes the trachea, bronchi, air sacs, and lungs through inhalation of oocysts (6).…”

“…Examination of fecal smears with acid-fast stains such as Ziehl-Neelsen which are commonly used by diagnostic facilities. Conventional microscopy, however, is time-consuming and tedious and requires experienced microscopists to accurately identify the oocysts (5,8). In addition, the detection limits of conventional diagnostic techniques have been reported to be as low as 50,000 to 500,000 oocysts per gram of feces (10).…”