Sarcocystis species lethal for domestic pigeons.
A large number of Sarcocystis spp. infect birds as intermediate hosts, but pigeons are rarely affected. We identified a novel Sarcocystis sp. that causes lethal neurologic disease in domestic pigeons in Germany. Experimental infections indicated transmission by northern goshawks, and sequence analyses indicated transnational distribution. Worldwide spread is possible.
Olias
Philipp
P
Freie Universitat Berlin, Berlin, Germany. olias.philipp@vetmed.fu-berlin.de
Gruber
Achim D
AD
Kohls
Andrea
A
Hafez
Hafez M
HM
Heydorn
Alfred Otto
AO
Mehlhorn
Heinz
H
Lierz
Michael
M
D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000469:parasitology; D010856:Columbidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005858:Germany; D046428:Hawks / Q000469:parasitology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D012522:Sarcocystis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012523:Sarcocystosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013045:Species Specificity
D016054:DNA, Protozoan