Occurrence of Bacterial and Viral Pathogens in Common and Noninvasive Diagnostic Sampling from Parrots and Racing Pigeons in Slovenia

Abstract

Airborne pathogens can cause infections within parrot (Psittaciformes) and pigeon (Columbiformes) holdings and, in the case of zoonoses, can even spread to humans. Air sampling is a useful, noninvasive method which can enhance the common sampling methods for detection of microorganisms in bird flocks. In this study, fecal and air samples were taken from four parrot holdings. Additionally, cloacal and oropharyngeal swabs as well as air samples were taken from 15 racing pigeon holdings. Parrots were examined for psittacine beak and feather disease virus (PBFDV), proventricular dilatation disease virus (PDDV), adenoviruses (AdVs), avian paramyxovirus type-1 (APMV-1), avian influenza virus (AIV), Chlamydia psittaci (CP), and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). MAC and AdVs were detected in three parrot holdings, CP was detected in two parrot holdings, and PBFDV and PDDV were each detected in one parrot holding. Pigeons were examined for the pigeon circovirus (PiCV), AdVs, and CP; PiCV and AdVs were detected in all investigated pigeon holdings and CP was detected in five pigeon holdings.

Chlamydiaceae in wild, feral and domestic pigeons in Switzerland and insight into population dynamics by Chlamydia psittaci multilocus sequence typing

“…Literature on Chlamydiaceae infection rates for free-roaming pigeons other than feral pigeons is scarce. In the present study, 5/34 (14.7%) domestic pigeons were positive for Chlamydiaceae which is comparable to infection rates reported in domestic pigeons elsewhere in Europe such as Slovenia with a infection rate of 16% [46] and Germany with 12.8–42.6% [47].…”

Health Status and Stress in Different Categories of Racing Pigeons

“…In a previous study, 74.3% of cloacal and 54.1% of oropharyngeal samples collected from feral pigeons in Slovenia were positive for PiCV [32]. In another study of Slovenian racing pigeons, results showed that 93.3% of cloacal and 96.7% of oropharyngeal samples were positive for PiCV [34] and are comparable with results obtained in other countries [21]. The findings showed a high prevalence of infections with PiCV, a pathogen that could cause immunosuppression, which may favor secondary infections [38].…”

“…It is also important to know the epidemiological situation of these pathogens in rural areas and surrounding countries. Pathogens, such as PiCV [ 32 ], APMV-1 [ 33 , 34 ], adenoviruses [ 34 , 35 ], AIV [ 34 ], CP [ 31 , 34 ], and Trichomonas sp. [ 36 ], were confirmed in different categories of pigeons in Slovenia.…”

State-of-the-Art Avian Viruses Research in Asia

“…This sequence in BFDV is 237-DENGVGPLCKGD-248 and differs from that of MPV by only one amino acid residue [80,81]. The study showed that VP4 of BFDV and ORF-X of GHPyV have the highest variation in APVs [66,82]. The VP4 and VP4 delta proteins suppress host immune responses by inducing apoptosis.…”