Abstract:
Mature and immature stages of Haemoproteus columbae gametocytes, an avian haemosporidian
protozoan parasite were found in 75% of blood smears prepared from 30 healthy domestic pigeons
in Sebele location, Gaborone, Botswana. Parenteral administration of an immuno-suppressive dose
of dexamethasone, lowered the level of parasitaemia, the packed cell volume and the heterophil:lymphocyte ratio in the test pigeons. However, both the dexamethasone-treated and the control pigeons
remained clinically normal.
