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Transmission of antibodies to Chlamydia Psittaci and Coxiella Burnetii through eggs and “crop milk” in pigeons

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Abstract

Young semi-domesticated pigeons captured or hatched from eggs gathered in Bratislava during 1989–1991 were examined for complement fixing antibodies to Chlamydia psittaci and agglutinating antibodies to Coxiella burnetii. Antibodies to Ch. psittaci were present in 76% of birds younger than 24 h, in 47.7% between 1 and 10 days of age and in 12% of nestlings over 10 days old. Antibodies to Ch. psittaci were also detected in “crop milk” of 4.1% of 1 to 10 day old birds and in 4.5% of specimens older than 10 days. Antibodies to C. burnetii were not found in juvenile birds under 24 h old, but antibodies against this agent were present in 16.4% birds between 1 and 10 days old and in 18% over 10 days old. Antibodies to C. burnetii were also detected in “crop milk” collected from crops of 2% of the young birds between 1 and 10 days.

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Kocianova, E., Řeháček, J. & Lisák, V. Transmission of antibodies to Chlamydia Psittaci and Coxiella Burnetii through eggs and “crop milk” in pigeons. Eur J Epidemiol 9, 209–212 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00158794

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