Article Abstract

Volume 33, No. (5), 2023 (October)
SURVEY ON THE MOST COMMON DISEASES CIRCULATING AMONG PIGEONS IN THE EASTERN PROVINCE, SAUDI ARABIA
Mahmoud H.A. Mohamed, Adel M. Abdelaziz

A. M. Abdelaziz²

¹ 1-Department Of Clinical Sciences, Collage Of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, P.O. Box:400, Al-Hasa, 31982, Saudi Arabia. 2-Department of Avian and Rabbit Diseases, Faculty of Veterina,
² 3- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Veterinary Educational Hospital, 44511 Zagazig, Egypt 4-Department of Avian Diseases, El-AHasa Veterinary Laboratory, Ministry of Envir,

Corresponding Author: mhmohammad@kfu.edu.sa
Page Number(s): 1220-1236
Published Online First: June 20, 2023
Publication Date: September 30, 2023
ABSTRACT

Molecular and microbiological approaches were used to investigate the common circulating pathogens in pigeon flocks. Sixty-nine flocks were investigated for viral, bacterial and parasitic infection evidence, including the histories, clinical signs and lesions. We reported that the seroprevalences of Newcastle disease viruses (NDVs), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) were 50.57%, 7.25% and 8.69%. respectively; no avian influenza virus (AIV)‒specific antibodies were detected. NDVs and pigeon paramyxoviruses (PPVs) were detected in 40.57% and 15.9%, respectively, of the pigeonsMultiple diseases were the predominant finding, with 60.87% of diseased flocks harboring multifactorial infections of viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens. Concurrent viral and bacterial infections were reported in 15.94%, and viral and parasitic coinfections were found in 20.29%. Mixed infections of NDV with bacterial and parasitic diseases were detected in 21.74%. Bacterial and mycotic pathogens were detected in 22/69 (31.88%) and 5/69 (7.25%), respectively. Salmonella spp. were only detected in 3/69 (4.35%) of diseased flocks. Parasitic diseases were the most prevalent infections, either as a single infection or concurrently with others. Parasites including Cestoda spp., Ascaris spp., Eimeria spp., Trichomonas gallinae and external parasites(Menopon gallinae, Pseudolynchia canariensis) were reported in 12/69 (17.39%), 10/69 (10.49%), 10/69 (10.49%), 18/69 (26.1%) and 3/69 (4.35%), respectively. We concluded that pigeon flocks harbor many pathogens that may threaten the health of animals and humans; they are serious amplifiers and reservoir hosts of disease and, ultimately, may be serious biological hazards to the intensive poultry production sector and community. Pigeon vaccines should be developed. Strict biosecurity measures should be applied to protect pigeons and commercial poultry flocks.

Keywords: Pigeon, diseases, PCR, isolation and identification, Saudi Arabia

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Journal Impact Factor: 0.5 | (JCR Year: 2025) | Cite Score: 1.3

HEC Category: W

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Print ISSN: 1018-7081

Electronic ISSN: 2309-8694

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