Parasites of pigeons (Columba livia) in urban areas of lages, Southern Brazil

The prevalence of ectoparasites and endoparasites was studied in 58 free-living pigeons (Columba livia) in urban areas of Lages, in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.The pigeons were visually inspected and fecal and blood samples were collected to determine the presence of ectoparasites.The serological diagnosis was established through the use of blood smears stained with Quick Panoptic and Giemsa methods.The fecal samples were analyzed using Sheather's method.The Quick Panoptic and Giemsa methods detected 67.24% (39/58) and 46.55% (27/58) of Haemoproteus sp, respectively.The prevalence rate amounted to 57% of 116 smears analyzed (P value=0.0387;odds ratio = 2.357 with a 95% confidence interval).The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 74.14% (43/58).Protozoa (100% for Eimeria sp.) were detected in 86.05% of the cases and nematodes (Ascaridia sp. and Capillaria sp.) in 32.56%, whereas 20.93% of the pigeons were infected by multiple parasites.The fly Pseudolynchia canariensis was found beneath the feathers of all pigeons.This is the first report of parasites in C. livia in the state of Santa Catarina.