Presence of antibodies to Chlamydia psittaci in farm-managed pheasants Phasianus colchicus and pigeons Columba livia F. domestica

Results are presented of serological examinations of 194 pheasants (Phasian us colchicus) and 114 pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica) for the presence of antibodies to Chlamydia psittaci. Farm management of pheasants is carri ed out in a pheasantry at Rozhanovce run by the University of Veterinary Me dicine at Kosice. Pigeons were entrapped in farm buildings of Rozhanovce vi llage. Seropositivity was detected in 40.7% of pheasants (28.5-45.9% in dep endence on sampling date) by a micro-method of complement fixation reaction when a genus specific antigen Ch. psittaci (Bioveta, Ivanovice in Hana, CR ) was used. The unapparent form of chlamydiosis was demonstrated by the ant ibody levels (1 : 128). 64.0% of pigeons showed seropositivity while differ ences in the number of positive birds and antibody levels were large in rel ation to sampling dates. 35.7% of birds showed seropositivity with maximum antibody titer 1 : 128 in a group of 42 pigeons entrapped in January 1999 w hile a group of 72 pigeons entrapped in April 1999 comprised 80.5% of birds with seropositivity and antibody titer 1 : 1 024. These results document a n acute form of chlamydiosis and suggest that in the spring season pigeons are a very important source of chlamydiosis for the human and animal popula tions.