[Infection by avian chlamydiosis in breeding pigeons in New Caledonia]

An epidemiological survey on avian chlamydiosis, carried out by serological probing in 8 pigeon breeders representative of New Caledonian livestock, combined with bacteriological research on pigeon organs and droppings was set up in New Caledonia in order to determine the prevalence rate of this infection and to adapt sanitary regulations concerning pigeon imports. All sera collected (230) were analysed by complement fixation test (CFT). The organs were diluted in sucrose solution, then stored frozen (-70 degrees C), until inoculation of the yolk-sac of 3 6-8-day-old embryonated eggs (2 blind passages). Yolk-sac smears stained according to the Gimenez method were made in order to detect intracellular chlamydial organisms. Seventeen sera out of 230 were found to be positive, ie 7.4% of the test sample (confidence interval to 95% = 4.0 to 10.8%). The carrier pigeons were significantly more infected (17.8%) than pigeons of other breeds in New Caledonia. These results resulted in the sanitary authorities easing restrictions on imports of seropositive pigeons by imposing a 45-day compulsory quarantine with daily administration of chlortetracycline at the rate of 150 mg per 1 of drinking water.