31 August، 2026
A master’s thesis presented by Sana Luay Salem “Isolation and Identification of Viruses Associated with Young Pigeon Disease Syndrome (YPDS) in Racing Pigeons.”
Master’s Thesis Defense
A Master’s thesis defense was held at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Microbiology, entitled “Isolation and Identification of Viruses Associated with Young Pigeon Disease Syndrome (YPDS) in Racing Pigeons.” The thesis was presented by Sana Luay Salem, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Safwan Yousif Mahmoud, on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
The thesis defense committee consisted of the following members:
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Mohammed Shukri Shukr – College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Duhok – Chair
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Firas Mohammed Abd – College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul – Member
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Israa Ibrahim Khalil – College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul – Member
- Prof. Dr. Safwan Yousif Mahmoud – College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul – Member and Supervisor
The study investigated 30 cases from young racing pigeon lofts in which the birds exhibited clinical signs including diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Some birds also showed neurological signs such as wing or leg paralysis and torticollis (twisting of the neck).
A total of 74 samples were collected from 30 pigeon lofts. The samples were inoculated onto chicken embryo fibroblast cell cultures to observe the cytopathic effects (CPE) produced by viruses. Molecular techniques were subsequently applied to the positive samples that exhibited cytopathic effects in cell cultures to detect the genes of the following viruses:
- Chicken adenovirus
- Pigeon adenovirus type 1
- Pigeon adenovirus type 2
- Pigeon herpesvirus
- Pigeon paramyxovirus
- Pigeon circovirus
The results revealed the detection of five viral species, namely chicken adenovirus, pigeon adenovirus type 1, pigeon adenovirus type 2, pigeon paramyxovirus, and pigeon circovirus, while pigeon herpesvirus was not detected.
Congratulations to the researcher, her supervisor, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Department of Microbiology on this significant scientific achievement. We wish the members of the thesis defense committee continued success and excellence.
This thesis defense contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education).
