[Detection of some zoonotic agents in the domestic pigeon (Columba livia) in the city of Chillán, Chile].

INTRODUCTION

There is an increase in the population of doves (Columba livia) as well as their contact with healthy and immunocompromised hosts.

OBJECTIVES

detection of some zoonotic agents of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia) in Chillán city, Chile.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

From October 2002 to September 2003, 100 domestic pigeons were captured. Blood, organs and intestine contents were sampled from each pigeon. The samples were cultivated in different kinds of agar according to the searched microorganism. Fungi were typified by morphological studies after staining with 2% methylene blue. For the detection of Chlamydophila psittaci a commercial Elisa kit (IDEXX) was used.

RESULTS

Pigeons were registered positive for: chlamydiosis (11%), staphylococcus (8%), salmonellosis (4%) and aspergillosis (1%). No pigeon had evidence of cryptococcosis and listeriosis.

CONCLUSIONS

these results confirm that domestic pigeon could act as vector of zoonotic agents of public health importance.