Mycobacterium avium Subsp. avium and Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium var. Copenhagen phage type DT2 in pigeons

Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2011 Oct;8(10):1135-7. doi: 10.1089/fpd.2010.0836. Epub 2011 May 25.

Abstract

We report on a coinfection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium and Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium var. Copenhagen phage type DT2 in pigeons from one flock, from which squabs were occasionally consumed by humans. Triplex quantitative real-time PCR and culture methods were used for M. a. avium detection in livers and culture method was used for the detection of Salmonella sp. in samples of liver and caecum of 33 examined birds. M. a. avium was detected in a total of 31 (93.9%) and Salmonella Typhimurium in a total of 11 (33.3%) pigeons. Coinfection with both pathogens was found in 10 (30.3%), infection with Salmonella Typhimurium alone in 1 (3.0%), and infection with M. a. avium alone in 21 (63.7%) pigeons. Neither pathogen was detected in one pigeon. There was no difference in clinical symptoms exhibited by pigeons infected by M. a. avium and/or Salmonella Typhimurium. All Salmonella Typhimurium isolates were sensitive to all 15 antimicrobials tested. According to these results we emphasize good heat treatment of consumed squabs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animals
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacteriophage Typing / veterinary
  • Bird Diseases / epidemiology
  • Bird Diseases / microbiology*
  • Cecum / microbiology
  • Coinfection / epidemiology
  • Coinfection / veterinary
  • Columbidae / microbiology*
  • Czech Republic / epidemiology
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
  • Humans
  • Liver / microbiology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mycobacterium avium / classification
  • Mycobacterium avium / drug effects
  • Mycobacterium avium / genetics
  • Mycobacterium avium / isolation & purification*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Salmonella Infections, Animal / epidemiology
  • Salmonella Infections, Animal / microbiology*
  • Salmonella typhimurium / classification
  • Salmonella typhimurium / drug effects
  • Salmonella typhimurium / genetics
  • Salmonella typhimurium / isolation & purification*
  • Serotyping
  • Tuberculosis, Avian / epidemiology
  • Tuberculosis, Avian / microbiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents