Abstract
One hundred and fifty domestic pigeons (Columba livia) showed green diarrhea and emaciation, irrespective of age, and 25 died at a pigeon breeding facility in Saitama Prefecture, Japan in May 2006. Two dead adult males were examined. Essentially similar pathological findings were obtained from both birds. Macroscopically, multifocal yellowish white foci were detected in the enlarged livers. An abscess was also observed in the bursa of the Fabricius. Histologically, multifocal necrotic foci with intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed in the livers, brains, tracheas, bronchi and pancreas. Immunohistochemically, anSalmonella04 group antigen corresponding with the bacilli was observed in the bursa of Fabricius and livers. Ultrastructurally, herpesvirus particles were detected in the hepatocytes. The viruses isolated from the livers, brains and tracheas/lungs were positive for Herpesvirus by PCR targeting the fragment of the DNA polymerase gene.Salmonella enterica serovarTyphimurium var. Copenhagen with the definitive phage type (DT) 99 was also isolated from the livers. The results indicated that Columbid herpesvirus 1 and S. Typhimurium had induced the fatal disease. This is the first report of a fatal systemic infection associated with Columbid herpesvirus 1 and S. Typhimurium in domestic pigeons.
