Epidemiological survey of zoonotic pathogens in feral pigeons (Columba livia var. domestica) and sympatric zoo species in Southern Spain

Abstract

tA cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of pathogenic zoonotic agents (fla-viviruses, avian influenza viruses (AIVs), Salmonella spp. and Toxoplasma gondii) in feral pigeons andsympatric zoo animals from Córdoba (Southern Spain) between 2013 and 2014. Antibodies against fla-viviruses were detected in 7.8% out of 142 (CI95%: 3.7–11.8) pigeons, and 8.2% of 49 (CI95%: 0.9–15.4) of zooanimals tested. Antibodies with specificity against West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) wereconfirmed both in pigeons and in zoo birds. Even though seropositivity to AIVs was not detected in anyof the analyzed pigeons, 17.9% of 28 (CI95%: 3.7–32.0) zoo birds tested showed positive results. Salmonellaspp. was not isolated in any of 152 fecal samples collected from pigeons, while 6.8% of 44 zoo animalswere positive. Antibodies against T. gondii were found in 9.2% of 142 (CI95%: 4.8–13.6) feral pigeons and26.9% of 108 (CI95%: 19.6–34.1) zoo animals. This is the first study on flaviviruses and T. gondii in feralpigeons and captive zoo species in Spain. Antibodies against WNV and USUV detected in non-migratorypigeons and captive zoo animals indicate local circulation of these emerging pathogens in the study area.T. gondii was widespread in species analyzed. This finding could be of importance for Public Health andConservation of endangered species present in zoo parks. Pigeons and zoo animals may be included assentinel species for monitoring zoonotic pathogens in urban areas.