Experimental inoculation of domestic pigeons (Columbia livia) and zebra finches (Poephila guttata) with Neospora caninum tachyzoites

Dogs are a definitive host of Neospora caninum and cattle are intermediate hosts. Alternative life-cycles have not been investigated. Foxes are freque ntly seropositive, but may not commonly prey upon cattle; therefore, other intermediate hosts may exist that are frequent prey of foxes. Three domesti c pigeons (Columbia livia) and three zebra finches (Poephila guttata) were inoculated with N. caninum tachyzoites, to determine if they could serve as intermediate hosts. Tissue culture, PCR, serology, and histology were all positive for one or more pigeons. All finches resisted infection. Further t esting of columbiform birds as intermediate hosts of N. caninum is warrante d. (C) 1999 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.