Avian Paramyxovirus Type 1 Infections in Racing Pigeons in California. I. Clinical Signs, Pathology, and Serology

Abstract

An outbreak of diarrhea and neurological disease in California racing pigeons caused by avian paramyxovirus type 1 (PMV-1) is documented. Predominant clinical signs were polydipsia, ataxia, poor balance, torticollis, head tremors, inability to fly, and diarrhea that was unresponsive to therapy. Gross pathologic findings were often unremarkable or non-specific. The predominant histologic lesions were interstitial nephritis, chronic tubular necrosis, lymphoplasmacytic infiltration within the kidney, liver, and pancreas, and focal non-suppurative encephalitis. Pigeons from 20 submissions demonstrated characteristic clinical signs of PMV-1 infection. Pigeons from 17 submissions exhibited typical histopathology. Serologic evidence of PMV-1 infection was present in pigeons from 13 submissions, and PMV-1 was isolated from pigeons received in six submissions. None of these pigeons had been vaccinated against PMV-1.

Monitoring of pigeon paramyxovirus type-1 in organs of pigeons naturally infected withSalmonellaTyphimurium

“…Like most authors reporting experimental pPMV-1 infections (Barton et al, 1992;Johnston & Key, 1992;Lumeij & Stam, 1985;Maeda et al, 1987), we did not observe gross pathological changes, although Pearson et al (1987) noticed haemorrhages on digestive organs and on pancreas, and El Mubarak et al (1990) observed haemorrhages also on the brain.…”

Medical Dilemmas Associated With Rehabilitating Confiscated Houbara Bustards (Chlamydotis Undulata Macqueenii) After Avian Pox and Paramyxovirus Type 1 Infection

“…Pancreatitis occurs in several avian viral diseases (Randall and Reece, 1996) and specifically in chickens and pigeons due to PMV-1 infection (Barton et al, 1992;Meulemans et al, 1998). To our knowledge this is the first time pancreatitis has been reported in houbara bustards asso-ciated with PMV-1 and septicemic avipox virus infections.…”

Clinico-histopathological observations of pigeons (Columba Livia) suffering from Newcastle disease in northern Bangladesh

“…In the present study, greenish white diarrhoea and nervous signs were more frequently observed. Barton et al (1992) also observed dirrhoea and nervous signs associated with ND in racing pigeons. In the present study nervous signs in 27.59% cases, diarrhoea in 48.28% and shivering in 24.14% cases were observed but Fischer (1986) observed nervous signs in 86% cases, diarrhoea in 18% and paralysis of legs and wings in 9% of naturally affected pigeons.…”