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While disease control in racing pigeons and the potential role of pigeons as vectors transmitting viruses to poultry are of importance, there is still a paucity of data concerning the occurrence of coronaviruses in pigeons. In this study, 215 domestic pigeons were tested for the presence of coronaviral genetic material using the nested PCR method, which revealed 57 positive samples (26.51%). The difference in coronavirus prevalence between young and adult pigeons (34.34% and 19.83%, respectively) has been found statistically significant. In contrast, no statistically significant difference has been demonstrated between the prevalence in symptomatic and asymptomatic birds, leaving the influence of coronavirus presence on pigeon health uncertain. Phylogenetic analysis of the RdRp gene fragment allowed us to assign all the obtained strains to the Gammacoronavirus genus and Igacovirus subgenus. The phylogenetic tree plotted using the ML method revealed that those sequences formed a group most similar to pigeon coronavirus strains from China, Finland, and Poland, and to a single strain from a common starling from Poland, which suggests wide geographical distribution of the virus and its possible transmission between various species.

Background: The aim of the study was to determine whether free-living birds belonging to game species whose meat is used for human consumption can constitute a reservoir of pathogenic Campylobacter strains, spreading these bacteria to other hosts or directly contributing to human infection., Methods: A total of 91 cloacal swabs were taken from different species of wildlife waterfowl to estimate the Campylobacter prevalence, the genetic diversity of the isolates, and the presence of virulence genes and to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance., Results: The presence of Campylobacter spp. was confirmed in 32.9% of samples. Based on flaA -SVR sequencing, a total of 19 different alleles among the tested Campylobacter isolates were revealed. The virulence genes involved in adhesion were detected at high frequencies among Campylobacter isolates regardless of the host species. The highest resistance was observed for ciprofloxacin. The resistance rates to erythromycin and tetracycline were observed at the same level., Conclusions: These results suggest that wildlife waterfowl belonging to game species may constitute a reservoir of Campylobacter, spreading these bacteria to other hosts or directly contributing to human disease. The high distribution of virulence-associated genes among wildlife waterfowl Campylobacter isolates make them potentially able to induce infection in humans.

The diseases with watery droppings (diarrhea and/or polyuria) can be considered some of the most severe health problems in domestic pigeons of various ages. Although they do not always lead to bird death, they can contribute to poor weight gains and hindered development of young pigeons and, potentially, to poor racing results in sports birds. The gastrointestinal tract disorders of pigeons may be of various etiology, but some of the causative agents are viral infections. This review article provides information collected from scientific reports on RNA-viruses belonging to the Astroviridae , Picornaviridae , and Coronaviridae families; the Avulavirinae subfamily; and the Rotavirus genus that might be implicated in such health problems. It presents a brief characterization, and possible interspecies transmission of these viruses. We believe that this review article will help clinical signs of infection, isolation methods, occurrence in pigeons and poultry, systemize and summarize knowledge on pigeon enteropathogenic viruses and raise awareness of the importance of disease control in pigeons.

The pathology of pigeon circovirus (PiCV) is still unknown, but it is regarded as an immunosuppressant. This study aimed to find a correlation between PiCV natural infection and immunosuppression. The study was conducted with 56 pigeons divided into the following groups: PiCV-positive but showing (group S) or not (group I) non-specific clinical symptoms and asymptomatic pigeons negative for PiCV (group H). The percentage and apoptosis of T CD3 + and B IgM + splenocytes; the expression of CD4, CD8, and IFN-γ genes in splenic mononuclear cells; the number of PiCV viral loads in the bursa of Fabricius; and the level of anti-PiCV antibodies were analyzed. The results showed that the percentage of B IgM + cells was almost two-fold lower in group S than in group H, and that ca. 20% of the lymphocytes were apoptotic. No increased apoptosis was detected in TCD3 + subpopulation. The PiCV viral loads were approximately one thousand and ten thousand times higher in group S than in groups I and H, respectively. Our results indicate a possible correlation between the number of PiCV viral loads and severity of PiCV infection and confirm that PiCV infection leads to the suppression of humoral immunity by inducing B lymphocyte apoptosis.