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This is the first study in Mosul to use genetic sequencing technology to diagnose and document the type, strain, and genotype of Trichomonos gallinae in racing pigeon. It was distinguished by the geographical sequence at the Mosul Iraqi city. Thirty isolates of T. gallinae were chosen from a total of 56 that had been molecularly characterized to examine the extent to which these isolates matched in terms of genetic sequencing. The DNA- from T. gallinae parasite was extracted, and the master mix for all of the polymerization reaction components was created based on the needed quantities of the reaction components for each sample. The acquired sequences were matched to known sequences in databases to determine the trichomonos species parasite and strain responsible for the infection. The results of the DNA sequencing examination revealed that after the polymerase chain reaction amplification products were sent to Macrogen, Korea to determine the genetic variation of the local strains, the products of the small subunit rRNA-Gene and the reaction product of bp 194 of the Trichomonos gallinae parasite were sent to the National Center for Biotechnology Information NCBI Gen Bank for recording. Based on the small partial ribosomal RNA according to blast in GenBank of of NCBI, the percentage of match in the genetic sequence was 100% between the genetic sequence in Mosul and the genetic sequences in Brazil and Portugal. France, Spain, Iran, Poland, Prague, Hungary, Australia, and the United States are among the countries involved. The Trichomonas gallinae genetic sequence in racing pigeons from Mosul has been discovered for the first time in the Gen Bank database, revealing a 100% match with other countries' sequences. This discovery reveals the pathogen's worldwide dissemination and interconnection, aiding in developing effective diagnostic procedures, preventive measures, and targeted treatments. The discovery also emphasizes the need for cooperation in monitoring and regulating the spread of the infection, supporting a collaborative strategy against avian diseases.

Racing pigeons are potential carriers of zooanthroponic diseases, since they can travel considerable distances during their flight. The study of the formation features of the pigeon skeleton’s hematopoietic function on different levels of its structural organization with the determination of the relationship between the growth and development of hematopoietic components and the processes of osteohistogenesis is necessary to understand the immunity of pigeons, especially during the early stages of their development when young animals are in the greatest risk of disease, especially during processes of osteogenesis and haematopoiesis in chicks. The bones of the axial and peripheral skeleton of one-day-old, 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, and 25-day-old pigeons (n = 5) were examined. The presence and degree of development of dia- and epiphyseal ossification centers (EOCs), their relative area (RA) and X-ray density in the organs of universal hematopoiesis were determined on radiographs made on an x-Ray-TW-102 x-ray machine with an Alpha 4600 receiver using the MultiVox Dicom Viewer program. It was established that in day-old pigeons the rudiments of the studied bones are completely built by cartilaginous tissue, have low radiographic density, and fuzzy contours on radiographs. On the 10th day of life, the axial skeleton of pigeon cubs has formed EOCs of head and a tubercle on the 5th rib (third «true rib»), while in the bones of the peripheral skeleton there is an enchondral EOC of the diaphysis. The spongy and compact bone structure (BS) of the bones were fuzzy. The body of the rib and the epiphyses of the limbs’ tubular bones were cartilaginous. The X-ray density of the humerus at this age remains unchanged, and the tibial-metatarsal increases by 1.5 times, reaching 12 HU. In 15-day-old chicks, the RA of the EOC in the skeleton was moderately increased due to an increase in the RA of previously formed EOCs at the age of 10 days, the appearance of individual EOCs in the body of 5th rib, and in the tubular bones of the limbs, the enchondral EOCs of the proximal and distal epiphyses. In the diaphysis of the extremities tubular bones, a strip-like compact BS was clearly distinguished, and in the epiphyses, a small-sized spongy BS. The X-ray density of the bones almost doubled, reaching 19–21 HU. In 20-day-old pigeons, the processes of osteohistogenesis in the skeleton were almost completed, in the studied bones, all the main and additional EOCs were well expressed, their RA increased sharply. X-ray density of bones did not change. For 25-day-old pigeons in the skeleton, there was a slight increase in RA of the EOC, a process of complete synostosis of the bones was characteristic. From the moment of the appearance of the EOC in 10-day-old chicks until they reach the age of 25 days, the bones of the axial skeleton and the skeleton of the limbs were formed by 95–100% of BS, and their X-ray density was increased almost 2.5 times, reaching 19–26 HU.

ABSTRACT Investigations into LDH-A and DR-D4 genes polymorphism, neurotransmitter values and cytogenetic indices of 3 sexed pigeon breeds; non-racing pigeons, (wild rock), racing long distances pigeons (Jan Aarden) and racing short distances pigeons (Janssen) have been performed. The long-distances pigeon showed the highest brain neurotransmitters concentration (p

Abstract Background This study was aimed to investigate the intestinal microbiota in racing pigeons with regard to Enterococcus species distribution, virulence factors and antibiotic susceptibility. Three methods (API, Multiplex sodA-PCR, 16S rRNA sequencing) were compared for Enterococcus species identification. Cloacal samples from 179 apparently healthy pigeons of 13 different flocks were tested. Results Multiplex sodA-PCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed almost perfect agreement in Enterococcus species identification. Isolates were identified as Enterococcus columbae (34.5%), Enterococcus hirae (20.7%), Enterococcus faecalis (11.7%), Enterococcus faecium (11.7%), Enterococcus gallinarum (9%), Enterococcus mundtii (4.8%), Enterococcus casseliflavus (3.4%), Enterococcus cecorum (2.1%), Enterococcus durans (2.1%). More Enterococcus species were found after the race season than before. The study showed differences between Enterococcus species in relation to 68.8% (22/32) biochemical parameters. Six out of seven virulence genes were detected: gelE (43.5%), asa1 (42.1%), efaA (30.3%), ace (30.3%), cylA (27.6%), and esp (9%). None of the isolates harboured hyl gene. Overall 15.2% of Enterococcus isolates produced gelatinase, but 66.7% gelE genes were silent. Enterococcus faecalis showed the most often efaA, ace and gelatinase activity than other enterococcal species. Nearly all isolates (93.1%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic. The most frequent resistance was to enrofloxacin (80%), doxycycline with teicoplanin (73.1%), erythromycin (49.7%). The study revealed significant differences between some enterococcal species in the antibiotic susceptibility to different antibiotics. Enterococcus columbae and E. cecorum showed significantly more frequent resistance to chloramphenicol than other enterococci. The presence of VRE (19.3%), HLGR (2.8%) and no LRE were found. Overall 30.3% of isolates were positive for vancomycin resistance genes, where vanC1 (E. gallinarum), vanC2-C3 (E. hirae, E. casseliflavus), vanB (E. columbae) predominated. Conclusions We conclude, that intestinal microbiota in racing pigeons is composed by 9 different Enterococcus species. Given that racing pigeons are kept in close contact with humans and backyard animals, combined with their long-distance flight abilities, they can serve as potential source of virulent and antibiotic resistant Enterococcus spp. in the environment.

The racing season is considered a critical period for racing pigeons due to the susceptibility to stress and weakening of the birds. One of the ways how to support their health and avoid problems involves supplementation of mineral-vitamin preparations based on selenium and vitamin E, which act as important antioxidants and protect cells against damage. This study investigated the influence of peroral supplementation of selenium at a dose of 0.3 mg Se.kg−1 feed dry matter (DM) in the form of Na2SeO3 and vitamin E 300 mg.ml−1 added to water at a rate of 4 ml.l−1 during 60 days. The supplemented group comprised 14 pigeons and their results were compared with a control group of 14 pigeons fed non-supplemented commercial feed. Blood samples were collected and examined at the beginning of the supplementation period, one day before a 300 km race and after the race. Pigeons from the supplemented group exhibited increased plasma levels of Se and vitamin E, as well as the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) before and after the 300 km race in comparison with the controls. Comparison of the activity of the enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and creatinine kinase (CK) at the beginning of the supplementation and one day before the race showed no changes. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in the activity of all investigated enzymes were observed after the race in both groups.

A juvenile racing pigeon ( Columba livia) was presented with drooping of the wing and inability to fly. On physical examination, the right shoulder joint was swollen. The pigeon was euthanatized and submitted for necropsy. An excessive amount of fibrin was present in the canalis triosseus with severe arthritis of the affected shoulder joint. A pure growth of Mycoplasma-like colonies was obtained on microbiological culture of the shoulder joint. A 16S ribosomal RNA gene-specific polymerase chain reaction assay was performed on the isolate and revealed 100% similarity with Mycoplasma columbinum. Although infectious arthritis in homing pigeons is primarily associated with paratyphoid and Streptococcus gallolyticus infection, clinical practitioners should consider the potential role of Mycoplasma columbinum in arthritis in pigeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]