Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Department of Clinical Pathology

Free-living birds, including migratory and non-migratory species, can become long-distance vectors for a wide range of microorganisms that can be transmissible to humans, animals and poultry. Our study aimed to give a spotlight on the pathological affections that could be found in wild pigeons and crows and illustrate the potential role of those wild birds in transmitting viral, bacterial and parasitological pathogens to various livestock in Egypt especially poultry industry as well as illustrate the zoonotic importance of those species of birds. Fifty birds of each apparently healthy wild pigeons and crows were collected from non-urban areas in Egypt including; (6Th of October city and 10Th of Ramadan city), during the hunting seasons from September, 2015 to July, 2016. The birds were transferred to the laboratory and were left for 24 hours for observation of any abnormal clinical signs and external examination. Blood samples were collected and profound P.M examination was carried out. Specimens were collected from trachea, lungs, GIT, liver, pancreas, cecal tonsils, kidneys, spleen, bursa, heart, brain and pectoral muscle. The collected specimens were divided into 3 parts for histopathological, bacteriological as well as virological investigations. The gross pathology was variable, was not specific and no conspicuous lesion was related to a particular locality. The observed histopathological lesions in both species of birds were numerous with variable incidences and included; tracheitis (in pigeons), lungs of crows and pigeons showed acute interstitial pneumonia, verminous pneumonia and anthracosis in addition to acute fibrinous bronchopneumonia, granulomatous reaction and acute bronchitis in pigeons. The lesions in gastrointestinal tracts of both species included; inflammation of proventriculus and acute enteritis, parasitic infestation in intestinal lumen (in pigeons), but in crows parasitic cross sections were detected in proventriculus and gizzard

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