Ectoparasites from Feral Pigeons Affecting Humans

Haag‐Wackernagel, Daniel; Bircher, Andreas J.

doi:10.1159/000266039

Cited by 67 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…Due to their high numbers and close proximity humans, they pose a potential threat for public health, since they are carriers of at least 110 zoonotic pathogens (Haag-Wackernagel & Moch, 2004;Haag-Wackernagel, 2006a, b;Haag-Wackernagel & Bircher, 2010). The most significant pathogen that can be transmitted from feral pigeons to humans is Chlamydia psittaci, formerly also named Chlamydophila psittaci (Everett et al, 1999;Kuo & Stephens, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci in the feral pigeon population of Basel, Switzerland

Geigenfeind

Vanrompay

Haag‐Wackernagel

2012

Journal of Medical Microbiology

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Feral pigeons (Columba livia) are commonly infected with Chlamydia psittaci, the agent of psittacosis in humans. To assess the risk of zoonosis posed by feral pigeons in the urban environment, we determined the prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci by detection of the outermembrane protein A (ompA) gene of this pathogen in pharyngeal and cloacal samples of 202 feral pigeons present in a loft in Basel, Switzerland. Additionally, we examined 620 fresh faecal droppings of feral pigeons at six public sites in Basel. The ompA gene of C. psittaci could be detected in only 17 (8.4 %) of the 202 feral pigeons in the loft. C. psittaci DNA was present in nine (2.0 %) of 447 of the pharyngeal swabs and 11 (3.2 %) of the 348 cloacal swabs. Genotyping of the ompA gene revealed genotype B in seven of the birds. In one bird, a mixed infection was detected with the genotypes A, B and E/B, which, to our knowledge is the first time such an infection has been reported. Some of these birds immigrated into the loft as adults. To our knowledge, this is the first study to document how the interconnectedness between feral pigeon subpopulations favours the spread of C. psittaci. C. psittaci DNA was not detected in any of the faecal droppings collected at the six public areas. In spite of the low levels of C. psittaci shedding by feral pigeons in Basel, close contact to feral pigeons bears the risk of zoonotic transmission of C. psittaci. Feral pigeon management programmes and public education should be implemented to reduce the risk of a pigeon-to-human transmission of such pathogenic agents.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci in the feral pigeon population of Basel, Switzerland

Geigenfeind

Vanrompay

Haag‐Wackernagel

2012

Journal of Medical Microbiology

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“…D. gallinae can be seen to naked eye; unfed red-mites are approximately 0.70 mm long × 0.40 mm wide, greyish-white in colour and rather motile in movement; when engorged they increase to more than 1 mm long becoming reddish-brown and sluggish [2]. In urban environments, PRMs are associated mainly with feral pigeon breeding sites [5,6], where they can fast for more than 5 months [7]. These birds are among the most successful avian settlers due to the abundance of food and the absence of predators and they built their nests in crevices and holes on the facades of houses, behind air-conditioners, in the eaves, attics, etc.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outbreaks of Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari, Mesostigmata) Related Dermatitis in Humans in Public and Private Residences, in Italy (2001-2017): An Expanding Skin Affliction

Cafiero¹,

Galante²,

Raele³

et al. 2017

J Clin Case Rep

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Avian mite dermatitis is a skin affliction of mammals, including humans caused by bites of nidicoulous, haematophagous mites in the suborder Mesostigmata, which naturally parasitize birds. The red-mite, Dermanyssus gallinae is the most common species implicated in episodes of dermatitis in city-dwellers, worldwide. Symptoms manifest in the form of pruritic, erythematous papules on exposed/covered body areas. We report 20 urban outbreaks of red-mite dermatitis occurring in Southern Italy from 2001 to 2017 (June) and diagnosed through parasitological identification by veterinarian entomologists. The patients, a total of 54 subjects, were infested in their homes/ workplaces by both mites emigrating indoors from deserted nests of sinantropic birds close to the infested edifices and from pet canaries. Red-mites may be the explanation of cases of pruriginous dermatitis of obscure origin in citydwellers. The applying of the One Health approach is crucial for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of dermatitis by epizoonotic ectoparasites.

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“…The great number of pigeons in the urban environments (e.g., cities, towns, docks, and others human developments) [30,31] and the constant growth of their population supported by food availability and favourable nesting conditions in all seasons of the year, accompanied by the absence of food predators and microorganisms [32,33], can promote expansion of the occurrence range of the European pigeon tick.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Skin lesions in humans bitten by European pigeon tick <i>Argas reflexus</i> (Fab.) (Ixodida: Argasidae) massively occurring in the Upper Silesian conurbation of south-west Poland

Buczek

Bartosik

Kulina

et al. 2018

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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Introduction and objective. The great number of pigeon populations in many European cities promotes the spread of the European pigeon tick (Argas reflexus), the bites of which cause local and systemic reactions. The aim was to study the occurrence of A. reflexus in several cities of Upper Silesia, and skin lesions caused by A. reflexus tick bites in humans. Materials and method. The results of investigations carried out in 1995-2002 in five cities located in the Upper Silesian conurbation are presented. Specimens of A. reflexus were collected for one hour in attics and lofts inhabited by these ticks. A history of skin lesions caused by bites was taken from residents who had been infested by A. reflexus. The development of skin lesions was monitored for three months in two individuals who had been bitten several times by these arthropods. Results. In the localities, 987 A. reflexus specimens were collected, including 334 females, 269 males, and 384 various nymphal stages. Within one hour, 38-109 ticks specimens were collected at the study sites. Cases of attacks by unengorged A. reflexus were reported in all the habitats located in the residential buildings; the ticks were also found in residents' flats and in staircases. Residents who had been repeatedly attacked by European pigeon ticks developed a strong inflammatory reaction to the components of tick saliva, and had purple papules with necrosis in the centre of the lesion. The tick bite areas exhibited scars and hyperpigmentation. Conclusions. Individuals attacked by A. reflexus several times are at risk of development of severe persistent local reactions to bites. Pigeon ticks, trophically associated with pigeons present abundantly in the Upper Silesian conurbation and other European urban habitats, pose a serious threat to public health.

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Ectoparasites from Feral Pigeons Affecting Humans

Cited by 67 publications

References 66 publications

Prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci in the feral pigeon population of Basel, Switzerland

Prevalence of Chlamydia psittaci in the feral pigeon population of Basel, Switzerland

Outbreaks of Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari, Mesostigmata) Related Dermatitis in Humans in Public and Private Residences, in Italy (2001-2017): An Expanding Skin Affliction

Skin lesions in humans bitten by European pigeon tick <i>Argas reflexus</i> (Fab.) (Ixodida: Argasidae) massively occurring in the Upper Silesian conurbation of south-west Poland

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