Avian Tuberculosis in Naturally Infected Lofts of Domestic Pigeons, Isolation, Molecular Identification and Study of Necropsy Findings

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium in naturally infected lofts of domestic pigeons, clinical signs, necropsy findings, differential susceptibility of male and female pigeons to infection and disease and vertical transmission. Eighty out of more than 600 pigeons were selected based on their clinical signs and poor health conditions and under standard condition were euthanized, necropsied and followed by bacterial culture on specific media for MAA. Further 10 pigeon eggs, which were laid by these birds, were also individually cultured in search for Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium. Fifty one Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium isolated from pigeons and 1 from eggs. All acid fast basil isolate were tested by the PCR assays targeting the 16S rRNA, IS1245 and IS901 genes. Swollen joints in legs and wings consequent lameness and inability to fly were the most important clinical signs. In necropsy findings liver was the most affected organ which had lesion. The least affected organ was lung also no macroscopic necropsy lesion was found in the gonads, kidneys and CNS. Based on clinical and necropsy findings and isolation of acid fast bacteria, no significant difference between male and female pigeons in susceptibility to infection and disease was found. Based on necropsy findings four forms of disease manifestations were Avian Tuberculosis in Naturally Infected Lofts of Domestic Pigeons, Isolation, Molecular Identification and Study of Necropsy Findings