Molecular survey on zoonotic tick-borne bacteria and chlamydiae in feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica)

Objective: To determine the presence of zoonotic tick-borne bacteria in feral pigeons (Columba livia doutestica) from urban areas. Methods: Spleen samples from 84 feral pigeons, found dead with traumatic injuries in urban areas, were examined by PCR to detect DNA of Anuplasma phagocytophilum, Bartotzella spp., Borrelia burgdotftri sensu lato, Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia spp., and Chlarnydrphila spp. Results: Twenty (23.8%) pigeons were infected by tick-borne agents, in particular 2 (2.38%) animals resulted positive for Bartonella spp., 5 (5.95%) for Coxiella burnetii, 5 (5.95%) for Rickettsia spp.. 13 (15.47%) for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. All birds scored negative for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Moreover, 17 (20.23%) pigeons were positive for Chlantyllophila spp. and among them 10 (11.9%) for Chlamydophila psittaci. Mixed infections by two or three agents were detected in 8 (9.52%) animals. Conclusions: Feral pigeons living in urban and periurban areas are a hazard for the human health as source of several pathogens. The obtained results confirm pigeons as reservoirs of chlamydial agents and suggest that they may be involved in the epidemiology of zoonotic tick-borne infections too.