Prevalence of Streptococcus bovis in racing pigeons

The prevalence of S. bovis in the intestinal tract of healthy racing pigeons was determined. Crop and cloaca swab samples obtained from 810 pigeons from 14 different lofts and from 122 pigeons that were presented for routine health control were examined for the presence of S. bovis. Pooled faecal samples were also obtained from pigeons in 82 different pigeon lofts. S. bovis was isolated from crop or cloaca samples of approximately 40% of pigeons of all ages by direct culture and from 80% of the pooled faecal samples by enrichment culture. In a longitudinal study, crop and cloaca samples were collected every 3 months from pigeons in seven different pigeon lofts. The prevalence of S. bovis in these pigeons ranged from 0 to 100%. The carriage rate was not related to the season or to the age of the pigeons. The prevalence of S. bovis in organ lesions of pigeons examined at necropsy was investigated over a 35-month period. S. bovis was isolated from 10% of the birds examined. The incidence of S. bovis septicaemia was significantly higher in January to August than in September to December. It was concluded that S. bovis is an opportunistic pathogenic agent in pigeons.