Detection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae antibodies in the sera of indigenous chickens by rapid serum agglutination test at Mmopane, Gaborone, Botswana.

The mean flock size was ten chickens per rural farmer. Antibodies to Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae were detected in 57.88% and 67.

Haemoproteus columbae in domestic pigeons in Sebele, Gaborone, Botswana.

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.