Plasma biochemistry in pigeons experimentally infected with Salmonella

Ten pigeons were crop inoculated with 1 x 10(9) colony-forming units of Salmonella typhimurium var. Copenhagen and observed during 28 days. Ten sham-inoculated pigeons served as noninfected controls. Clinical signs after Salmonella infection consisted of polydipsia, polyuria, and diarrhea. Morbidity was 90%, but there was no mortality. All inoculated pigeons showed fecal excretion of Salmonella for at least 7 days. Biochemical analysis of plasma samples taken at 3-day intervals indicated decreased concentrations of creatine kinase (CK)-MM and CK-MB isoenzymes and elevated total protein and alpha- and gamma-globulin values. No consistent changes in the level of 17 other blood parameters were observed. After 28 days, all pigeons were necropsied. Gross lesions and bacteriologic and histologic examination indicated septicemia in all Salmonella-inoculated pigeons. Results indicate that Salmonella septicemia in pigeons induces only limited changes in biochemical blood parameters. Decreased CK concentration was a consistent finding, however, and may therefore be a useful aid in the diagnosis of salmonellosis in pigeons.