engleski

Campylobacter, salmonella and chlamydia in free-living birds of Croatia

Campylobacteriosis, salmonelosis and avian chlamydiosis are zoonotic diseases in which birds have been suggested to play an important role as the reservoirs. We have investigated the prevalence of Campylobacter and Salmonella species and Chlamydophila sp. in 107 free-living birds belonging to 25 species from 13 families from Croatia in order to examine the natural infections caused by these agents. C. jejuni-like organisms were isolated from 2 of 107 free-living bird species examined (1.9%). Salmonella was isolated from 8 fresh fecal specimens from free-living bird species (7.4%). These isolates were identified as S. typhimurium in 4 (3.7%), and S. enteriditis in 4 (3.7%) free-living birds. These samples originated from feral pigeons (Columba livia domesticus ; n=14 ; 28.6%), rook (Corvus frugilegus ; n=13 ; 15.4%), buzzard (Buteo buteo ; n=12 ; 16.7%), black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus ; n=8 ; 12.5%) and tawny owl (Strix aluco ; n=8 ; 12.5%). The presence of Chlamydophila sp. was not detected in the free-living birds examined during this study. Epidemiological aspects and possible significance of the examined birds as a source of infections for domestic animals and man are discussed.

Campylobacter; Salmonella; Chlamydophila; free-living birds.

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