Presencia de parásitos y enterobacterias en palomas ferales (Columba livia) en áreas urbanas en Envigado, Colombia / Presence of parasites and enterobacteria in feral pigeons (Columba livia) in urban areas of Envigado, Colombia

RESUMEN

Objetivo: diagnosticar la presencia de parásitos y enterobacterias de importancia en salud pública en poblaciones ferales de Columba livia en zonas urbanas del municipio de Envigado, Colombia. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo transversal prospectivo con cuarenta palomas en seis lugares diferentes. Se evaluó plumaje para determinar ectoparásitos, hisopado coanal y cloacal, y muestra de sangre de la vena axilar. Se realizó examen directo con solución salina y yodada; técnica de flotación y tinción de Ziehl-Neelsen. El diagnóstico de hemoparásitos se efectuó mediante método de gota gruesa, coloración de Wright y tinción Hemacolor®. Se utilizó API 20e® para Enterobacterias. Se realizó estadística descriptiva y análisis de correlación entre hemoparásitos y ectoparásitos. Resultados: Escherichia coli (95%), Haemoproteus spp. (73%), Columbicola columbae (64%), ooquistes compatibles con Eimeria spp. (55%), Pseudolynchia canariensis (52%), Trichomona spp. (40%), Capillaria spp. (28%), Menopon gallinae (24%), Ascaridia spp. (8%), y un caso de Enterobacter cloacae. Se identificó la presencia de Ornithonyssus bursa en nidos de algunas de las aves muestreadas. Discusión: Aunque se han presentado reportes de casos eventuales de ellos en personas dentro de la revisión de literatura, los microorganismos aislados tienen un bajo riesgo de transmisión en humanos; sin embargo pueden convertirse en un problema de salud pública veterinaria al ser potenciales fuentes de infección a la fauna silvestre urbana con quienes comparten albergue, fuentes de agua y alimento. Conclusión: El mayor porcentaje fue ooquistes compatibles con Eimeria spp (55%) y enterobacterias como E. coli (95%). Ornithonyssus bursa en las palomeras evidencia la presencia de un patógeno potencialmente zoonótico, causante de lesiones dérmicas en humanos.

ABSTRACT

Objective: to determine the presence of parasites and enterobacteria that are relevant to public health among feral populations of Columba livia inhabiting urban areas of the Envigado municipality, Colombia. Methodology: a descriptive cross-sectional, prospective study in which 40 pigeons were taken from six different areas. The feathers were assessed to determine ectoparasitic infestation. Likewise, coanal and cloacae swab was conducted and blood samples were taken from the axillar veins. Direct examination of feces with saline and iodine solution was performed, the flotation technique was used and the Ziehl-Neelsen staining tests were conducted. Haemoparasites were diagnosed with the thick smear method, Wright and Hemacolor® staining. The API 20e® system was used for enterobacteria. Descriptive statistic procedures were carried out along with a correlation analysis between haemoparasites and ectoparasites. Results: Escherichia coli (95%), Haemoproteus spp. (73%), Columbicola columbae (64%), oocysts compatible with Eimeria spp. (55%), Pseudolynchia canariensis (52%), Trichomona spp. (40%), Capillaria spp. (28%), Menopon gallinae (24%), Ascaridia spp. (8%), and a case of Enterobacter cloacae. Additionally, the presence of Ornithonyssus bursa was detected in the nests of some of the birds sampled in this study. Discussion: In spite of the reports of sparse cases of infection in humans found in the literature, the microorganisms isolated in this study have a low risk of transmission in humans. However, they may become a veterinary public health problem since they are a potential source of infection for the urban wildlife with which they share water, food and refuge. Conclusion: The most important percentage was that of oocysts compatible with Eimeria spp (55%) and enterobacteria such as E. coli (95%). The presence of Ornithonyssus bursa in the nests evidences a potentially zoonotic pathogen responsible for dermatological lesions in humansPresence of parasites and enterobacteria in feral pigeons (Columba livia) in urban areas of Envigado, Colombia