Natural infection with Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Sarcocystis species in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in Iran

• Published in: Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases microbiology and infectious diseases, 2023-02, Vol.93, p.101946-101946, Article 101946
• Main Authors: Khordadmehr, Monireh, Sazmand, Alireza, Almasi, Pardis, Shahbazi, Parisa, Ranjbar, Vahidreza, Otranto, Domenico, Hemphill, Andrew
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agglutination test; Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan; Columbidae; Histopathology; Iran - epidemiology; Neospora - genetics; PCR; Public health; Sarcocystis - genetics; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Tissue parasites; Toxoplasmosis, Animal - parasitology; Zoonosis
• ISSN: 0147-9571; 1878-1667
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.101946

Pigeons are common birds around the world and may act as intermediate hosts of the tissue cyst-forming apicomplexan parasites Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Sacrocystis spp. This study aimed to provide an overview on the prevalence of and exposure to these parasites in Iranian domestic rock pigeon (Columba livia domestica) through molecular, serological and histopathological examination. Blood and tissue samples (i.e., brain, heart, gizzard, neck, thigh, and pectoral muscles) were taken from 100 pigeons. Sera were screened by agglutination tests for detection of anti- T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies, genomic DNA from tissue samples were assessed by respective species-specific PCRs, and histopathological examination of tissues was carried out. A seroprevalence of 45 % to anti-T. gondii and 35 % to anti-N. caninum IgG was recorded. PCR detected T. gondii DNA in 28 pigeons. Sacrocystis spp. was detected in one animal, but sequencing of the 28 S rRNA gene product did not reveal the identity of the species. Histopathology revealed myocarditis, myositis, and gliosis in the heart, skeletal muscles, and brain, respectively. No Sarcocystis tissue-cysts were detected, but T. gondii tissue cyst-like structures in the brain (i.e., 4 %) and heart (i.e., 3 %) were found by histology. Data reported herein demonstrate that pigeons from Iran are infected with tissue cyst-forming apicomplexans, particularly T. gondii. Since domestic pigeons are in close contact with human populations, and consumption of their meat and egg is popular in different societies, control strategies for minimizing the risk of infection in both pigeons and humans are suggested. [Display omitted] •Consuming meat and eggs of pigeons is popular in some societies including Iran.•Blood and tissue samples from 100 pigeons were examined.•PCR detected DNA of zoonotic T. gondii in 28 pigeons; thigh muscle was the most infected tissue.•DNA of Sacrocystis spp. was detected in the brain and gizzard of one pigeon.•Sacrocystis sequences displayed 99.11% nucleotide similarity with S. columbae and S. corvusi.•A seroprevalence of 45% to anti-T. gondii and 35% to anti-N. caninum IgG was recorded.