Pathological Changes of Lung Tissues of Pigeons (Columba livia domestica) Infected with Haemoproteus columbae (Haemosporina: Haemoproteidae)

Large number of pigeons (n = 400) were surveyed for Haemoproteus parasitemia. Blood smearing revealed the presence of gametocytes-infected erythrocytes in 50 adult birds (12.5%). Infected erythrocytes as well as exo-erythrocytic schizonts were recognized in the examined lung imprints. Histopathology of the parasitized lung tissues also confirmed the existence of Haemoproteus schizonts in the pulmonary blood vessels. Granulomatous pulmonary tissue reaction was also detected at the site of the released merozoites. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of schizonts in endothelial lining cells of pulmonary blood capillaries. It was concluded that Haemoproteus infection can provoke significant pathological pulmonary changes in domestic pigeons.