[Serologic detection of the occurrence of avian paramyxoviruses in pigeons]

447 blood-serum samples of racing and free living pigeons collected in 11 districts of Czechoslovakia from August 1983 till March 1984 were examined by the haemagglutination inhibition test to the Newcastle disease virus, strain Roakin, to the pigeon PMV-1 and to the PMV-3; 121 of the samples were tested to other serotypes, PMV-2--PMV-9, and to the avian influenza A virus. 58.4% of samples were positive (greater than or equal to 2 log2) to the Roakin strain with the mean titre 3.6 log2 and 65.1% to the pigeon PMV-1 with the mean titre 4.5 log2. All samples tested were negative to other serotypes except two samples of one group positive to PMV-8 with the mean titre 4.3 log2. The titres of HI antibodies to the Roakin strain and to the pigeon PMV-1 were compared. The risk of the transmission and of the readaptation of pigeon virus to poultry was discussed.