Occurrence of Bacterial and Viral Pathogens in Common and Noninvasive Diagnostic Sampling from Parrots and Racing Pigeons in Slovenia.
Airborne pathogens can cause infections within parrot (Psittaciformes) and pigeon (Columbiformes) holdings and, in the case of zoonoses, can even spread to humans. Air sampling is a useful, noninvasive method which can enhance the common sampling methods for detection of microorganisms in bird flocks. In this study, fecal and air samples were taken from four parrot holdings. Additionally, cloacal and oropharyngeal swabs as well as air samples were taken from 15 racing pigeon holdings. Parrots were examined for psittacine beak and feather disease virus (PBFDV), proventricular dilatation disease virus (PDDV), adenoviruses (AdVs), avian paramyxovirus type-1 (APMV-1), avian influenza virus (AIV), Chlamydia psittaci (CP), and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). MAC and AdVs were detected in three parrot holdings, CP was detected in two parrot holdings, and PBFDV and PDDV were each detected in one parrot holding. Pigeons were examined for the pigeon circovirus (PiCV), AdVs, and CP; PiCV and AdVs were detected in all investigated pigeon holdings and CP was detected in five pigeon holdings.
A University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Health Care of Poultry, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Alenka
A
Dovč
B University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Sanitary Engineering, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Gregor
G
Jereb
A University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Health Care of Poultry, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Uroš
U
Krapež
C University of Zagreb, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Hygiene, Behaviour and Welfare, Heinzelova 55, 10.000 Zagreb, Croatia.
Gordana
G
Gregurić-Gračner
D University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Environmental and Animal Hygiene with Ethology, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Štefan
Š
Pintarič
A University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Health Care of Poultry, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Brigita
B
Slavec
A University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Health Care of Poultry, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Renata Lindtner
RL
Knific
E Zoo Ljubljana, Večna pot 70, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Marjan
M
Kastelic
E Zoo Ljubljana, Večna pot 70, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Pavel
P
Kvapil
F University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Microbiology and Parasitology, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Jasna
J
Mićunović
G University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Institute of Food Hygiene, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Stanka
S
Vadnjal
F University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Microbiology and Parasitology, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Matjaž
M
Ocepek
A University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Health Care of Poultry, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Marko
M
Zadravec
A University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Health Care of Poultry, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Olga
O
Zorman-Rojs
D000818:Animals; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D002988:Cloaca / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D010856:Columbidae; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D010311:Parrots; D017524:Slovenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology
air samples; common sampling methods; infectious diseases; noninvasive diagnostic method; parrots; pigeons