[Detection of some zoonotic agents in the domestic pigeon (Columba livia) in the city of Chillán, Chile].
BACKGROUND
There is an increase in the population of doves (Columba livia) as well as their contact with healthy and immunocompromised hosts.


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


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.
González-Acuña
Daniel
D
Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile. danigonz@udec.cl
Silva G
Francisco
F
Moreno S
Lucila
L
Cerda L
Fabiola
F
Donoso E
Sergio
S
Cabello C
José
J
López M
Juana
J
D000818:Animals; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002677:Chile; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010856:Columbidae / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012621:Seasons; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification