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High Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Campylobacter jejuni in Wild Crows and Pigeons

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Abstract

The occurrence, seasonal variation and genetic diversity of Campylobacter spp. in pigeons and crows over a 1-year period were evaluated. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 166 (34.6 %) out of 480 wild bird faecal samples. The occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in faecal samples was higher among crows (39.2 %) than pigeons (30.0 %), (P < 0.05). Campylobacter jejuni was the most common species detected among wild bird faecal samples (98.2 %). Meanwhile, Campylobacter coli prevalence in wild bird faecal samples was low—6 %. The Simpson’s diversity index of C. jejuni flaA RFLP types was lower in pigeons (D = 0.88) compared with C. jejuni isolates detected in crows (D = 0.97). Obtained results revealed that C. jejuni are widely prevalent among crows and pigeons, indicating these wild birds as potential infection sources to humans. Further studies are required to determine crows and pigeons role in zoonotic transmission of Campylobacter.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by a Grant (No. SVE 05/2011) from the Research Council of Lithuania.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Safety and Quality, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes 18, 47181, Kaunas, Lithuania

    Sigita Ramonaitė, Aleksandr Novoslavskij, Gintarė Zakarienė, Jurgita Aksomaitienė & Mindaugas Malakauskas

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  1. Sigita Ramonaitė
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  2. Aleksandr Novoslavskij
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Correspondence to Sigita Ramonaitė.

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Ramonaitė, S., Novoslavskij, A., Zakarienė, G. et al. High Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Campylobacter jejuni in Wild Crows and Pigeons. Curr Microbiol 71, 559–565 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-015-0881-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-015-0881-z

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