engleski

Epidemiological investigation of Chlamydophila psittaci in pigeons and wild birds in Croatia

During 2003, 278 adult pigeons (Columba livia) and 54 birds of 11 other free-living species were caught in various locations in City of Zagreb, Croatia. Blood sera from182 pigeons were tested for the presence of antibodies against Chlamydophila psittaci (C. psittaci) using ELISA test and 174 of them (95.6 %) were found positive. Because of finding so high a rate of positive sera, cloacal swabs of 278 pigeons as well as 54 other species of free-living birds were tested for presence of C. psittaci antigen. Positive to the antigen were 44 pigeons (15.8 %), whereas all of the examined 54 other wild birds were negative. Pigeons positive to the antigen were euthanised and examined pathomorphologically and cytologically. Findings of specific antibodies and antigen of C. psittaci confirmed the high rate of infection among urban pigeons in the City of Zagreb, fortunately not in the other free-living birds. Although, the pigeon serovars of C. psittaci are of moderate pathogenicity for humans, findings of 15.8 % birds positive for antigen represent a potential source of infection and threat for humans, especially for elderly people and immunodeficient patients, as well as for poultry in the area of the City of Zagreb.

pigeon; free living birds; epidemiology; Chlamydophila psittaci; antibodies; antigen

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