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Racing pigeons: a reservoir for nitro-imidazole-resistant Trichomonas gallinae
L O Rouffaer1, C Adriaensen, C De Boeck
1Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium;
The Journal of Parasitology
|January 25, 2014
Summary
Nitro-imidazole resistance in avian trichomonosis (Trichomonas gallinae) is more common in racing pigeons than wild pigeons. Resistant strains, particularly sequence type A, pose a threat to wildlife through potential exchanges.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Avian Health
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Trichomonas gallinae causes avian trichomonosis, prevalent in Columbiformes.
- Preventive treatment of racing pigeons with nitro-imidazoles may lead to resistant isolates.
- Resistant isolates can threaten wildlife populations through inter-species transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the sequence types and nitro-imidazole resistance profiles of Trichomonas gallinae isolates from racing and wild pigeons.
- To investigate potential exchanges of resistant isolates between racing and wild pigeon populations.
Main Methods:
- DNA sequencing of the ITS1/5.8S rRNA/ITS2 region to determine Trichomonas sequence types.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against five nitro-imidazoles (metronidazole, dimetridazole, ronidazole, tinidazole, carnidazole).
- Determination of mean lethal concentration (MLC) values for resistant isolates.
Main Results:
- Two sequence types (A and B) of T. gallinae were identified.
- Sequence type A was found in both racing and wild pigeons; sequence type B was only in wild pigeons.
- Higher prevalence of nitro-imidazole resistance and higher MLC values were observed in sequence type A isolates from racing pigeons compared to wild pigeons.
- Sequence type B isolates were generally susceptible, with three exceptions showing tinidazole resistance.
Conclusions:
- Racing pigeons harbor a higher proportion of resistant T. gallinae isolates than wild pigeons.
- The similar resistance patterns in sequence type A isolates from both populations suggest potential transmission between racing and wild pigeons.
- The emergence and spread of resistant T. gallinae strains are a significant concern for avian health and conservation efforts.
