Survey of peafowl (Pavo cristatus) for potential pathogens at three Michigan zoos

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2003 Dec;34(4):375-9. doi: 10.1638/03-077.

Abstract

Blood samples collected from 31 free-roaming peafowl from three zoos in Michigan were tested serologically. Antibody titers were present against avian adenovirus and Bordetella avium in 19.3% and 61.3% of the samples, respectively. Serum plate agglutination tests were positive for Mycoplasma meleagridis and Mycoplasma synoviae in 3.2% and 38.7% of the samples, respectively. All birds were seronegative for avian influenza, Newcastle disease virus, West Nile virus, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella typhimurium, and Giardia sp. No parasites were seen in blood smears. Cloacal swabs were cultured for anaerobic, aerobic, and microaerophilic bacteria. Clostridium perfringens type A and Escherichia coli were cultured most frequently from 64.5% and 29% of the samples, respectively, whereas Salmonella sp. and Campylobacter sp. were not isolated. Fecal samples contained moderate numbers of ascarid and Capillaria sp. ova and coccidian oocysts. Female biting lice (Goniodes gigas) were identified on three birds.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae Infections / blood
  • Adenoviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Adenoviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild
  • Animals, Zoo
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Aviadenovirus / immunology*
  • Bird Diseases / blood
  • Bird Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Birds
  • Bordetella Infections / blood
  • Bordetella Infections / epidemiology
  • Bordetella Infections / veterinary*
  • Bordetella avium / immunology*
  • Cloaca / microbiology
  • Cloaca / virology
  • Female
  • Male
  • Michigan / epidemiology
  • Mycoplasma / immunology
  • Mycoplasma Infections / blood
  • Mycoplasma Infections / epidemiology
  • Mycoplasma Infections / veterinary*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Antibodies, Viral