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Published on: February 20, 2015
First detection of microsporidia in raised pigeons in Poland
Anna Słodkowicz-Kowalska1, Thaddeus K Graczyk, Andrzej Nowosad
1Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. aslodk@ump.edu.pl
Abstract:
Microsporidia are single-celled intracellular parasites which occur in a number of animals, both vertebrates and invertebrates. Several species of microsporidia can cause disease in humans in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. However, the sources of human infection and the routes of transmission of microsporidia have not yet been fully determined, although more and more researchers are of the opinion that microsporidia in humans is zoonotic. The aim of the presented study was to identify the most common microsporidial species in the droppings of raised and wild pigeons in Poland. A total of 139 collective samples of droppings (33 samples of droppings from feral pigeons and 106 samples from raised pigeons) were examined using conventional staining and molecular techniques. Using chromotrope staining and multiplex FISH techniques, the microsporidial spores were found in 12 (8.6%) of the 139 samples of droppings. The spores of Encephalitozoon hellem were detected in five samples of pigeon droppings (3.6%), spores of E. intestinalis in four samples of droppings (2.9%), while spores of E. cuniculi and E. bieneusi were only detected in two samples (1.4%). Furthermore, a mixed infection of E. bieneusi and E. cuniculi was found in a single sample of droppings (0.7%). The presence of microsporidial spores in droppings collected from raised pigeons indicates a risk of infection to humans, mainly pigeon fanciers.
Insights
Microsporidia, single-celled parasites, were found in pigeon droppings in Poland. This suggests a potential zoonotic risk, particularly for pigeon fanciers, highlighting the need for further transmission studies.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Zoonotic Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Microsporidia are opportunistic intracellular parasites affecting various hosts, including humans.
- Human microsporidiosis can occur in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals.
- The zoonotic potential and transmission routes of microsporidia remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify prevalent microsporidial species in pigeon droppings in Poland.
- To assess the potential risk of microsporidial transmission from pigeons to humans.
Main Methods:
- Examination of 139 collective pigeon dropping samples (feral and raised).
- Utilized conventional chromotrope staining and molecular multiplex FISH techniques.
- Species identification included Encephalitozoon hellem, E. intestinalis, E. cuniculi, and E. bieneusi.
Main Results:
- Microsporidial spores detected in 8.6% of samples.
- Encephalitozoon hellem (3.6%), E. intestinalis (2.9%), E. cuniculi (1.4%), and E. bieneusi (1.4%) were identified.
- A mixed infection of E. bieneusi and E. cuniculi was found in one sample (0.7%).
Conclusions:
- The presence of microsporidia in raised pigeon droppings indicates a potential infection risk to humans.
- Pigeon fanciers are identified as a high-risk group for zoonotic microsporidiosis.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate transmission routes.
