Pelecitus, a peritracheal nematode in the pigeon

Authors: Rutherford DM, Black H
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 22, Issue 8, pp 147, Aug 1974
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Avian
Subject Terms: Biosecurity, Ear/nose/throat, New hosts/new diseases, Parasites - internal, Respiratory system, Species description
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Filarial nematodes of the genus Pelecitus (Railliet and Henry, 1910) have been reported in the peritracheal connective tissues of domestic pigeons and wild doves from Europe, Asia and Australia (Levine, 1968). We have found no previous reports of the occurrence of these nematodes in New Zealand. In August 1973, we examined the carcass of a young adult male racing pigeon (Columba livia) which was submitted from the Whangarei county. The bird died in flight. There was no history of previous illness, and no abnormalities to which death could be attributed were detected on initial gross examination. Histologioally, marked patchy pulmonary congestion was observed, and within the congested lung were small areas of oedema and haemorrhage…

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