Detection of zoonotic agents in pigeons (Columba livia) from Maceió, Alagoas

Due to the growing population of pigeons (Columba livia) in the Maceió and the lack of information regarding their importance in public health for the city, the aim was to detect the presence of agents with zoonotic potential in 30 animals of this species. The study was carried out with pigeons found in areas close to the main hospitals, squares and beaches. The pigeons were captured and transferred to individual cardboard boxes, where they remained for six hours to spontaneously defecate. Blood was collected using a hypodermic needle and the cloacal cavity were swabbed. The feces were used for bacterial isolation and fungi Isolation of the genera Cryptococcus and Histoplasma. The serum obtained after blood clotting was used in the Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) to identify anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. To investigate the presence of Chlamydophyla psittaci, cloacal secretions were used in diagnostic PCR. The results showed the isolation of six samples of Cryptococcus and two of Histoplasma. Different bacterial genera were detected from the cloacal mucosa samples, with Staphylococcus and Streptococcus being found most frequently, followed by Enterobacteriaceae, Corynebacterium and Bacillus. The Staphylococcus samples were 100% sensitive to all the antibacterials tested, but no antibiotic was effective for all the bacterial genera. C. psittaci DNA and anti-T. gondii antibodies were not detected in the samples. It can be concluded that the pathogens isolated are infectious and pose a serious health risk to people who circulate in these environments.