Intestinal carriage of campylobacters, salmonellas, yersinias and listerias in pigeons in the city of Barcelona

• Published in: Journal of applied bacteriology Vol. 78; no. 1; pp. 11 - 13
• Main Authors: Casanovas, L, Simon, M. de, Ferrer, M.D, Arques, J, Monzon, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 1995
• Subjects: Animals; Bird Diseases - microbiology; Campylobacter; Campylobacter Infections - epidemiology; Campylobacter Infections - veterinary; Carrier State; Columbidae; disease reservoirs; Disease Vectors; feces; Feces - microbiology; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections - epidemiology; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections - veterinary; humans; incidence; Intestines - microbiology; Listeria; Listeriosis - epidemiology; Listeriosis - veterinary; pigeons; public health; Salmonella; Salmonella Infections, Animal - epidemiology; Salmonella Infections, Animal - microbiology; seasonal variation; Spain - epidemiology; urban areas; Yersinia; Yersinia Infections - epidemiology; Yersinia Infections - veterinary; Spain
• ISSN: 0021-8847; 2056-5232
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1995.tb01666.x

The faecal bacterial flora of pigeons, which may be the source of infectious diseases in man, was studied in the city of Barcelona. Four hundred cloacal specimens were examined for Campylobacter jejuni, Camp. coli, Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp. and Listeria spp., over a 12 month period. Campylobacter jejuni was the most frequently isolated micro-organism, found in 105 pigeons (26.2%), with a greater incidence in the districts of the city with a high density of pigeons and without seasonal variation. Salmonella spp. were isolated from six specimens (1.5%) and Yersinia intermedia was isolated from only one pigeon.