SUMMARYSignificant post-prandial increases in plasma uric acid and plasma urea concentrations were observed in peregrine falcons. Post-prandial uric acid concentrations were similar to those in birds suffering from hyperuricaemia and gout and were well above the theoretical limit of solubility of sodium urate in plasma. It is not clear why under normal circumstances no urate deposits occur in peregrine falcons (and probably other raptorial birds), which show hyperuricaemia for at least 12 h after ingesting a natural meal.It is important to evaluate renal function in peregrine falcons (and perhaps other birds) after a 24-h fast to avoid misinterpretation due to physiological food-induced elevated concentrations of nonprotein nitrogen substances.
Reference values for the calculated albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio were 0.8 to 24. Based on previous studies, reference values for calcium were established using an adjustment formula using plasma total protein concentrations (before correction 1.86 to 2.49, after correction 1.97 to 2.46 mmol/l). Results of plasma potassium concentrations were erratic which was shown to be due to a time lag between sample collection and separation of plasma and cells.
From eight falcons and one pigeon which died from N D V over a period of 15 months in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, PMV-1 viruses were isolated on quail embryo cell cultures. The identification of all 9 strains were achieved with the haemagglutination inhibition test against polyclonal chicken PMV-1 antiserum, against mouse monoclonal antibodies as well as with the immunoperoxidase test. Intracerebral pathogenicity index and intravenous pathogenicity index tests were also carried out. Although the virus isolates in this study fell into two distinct groups, the overall clinical symptoms displayed by the falcons tailed to demonstrate any trends or specifity unique to a group. The isolate obtained from a pigeon was similar to the isolates from one group of the falcons and showed no identity with the pigeon variant virus.
U.S.
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