Columbid Herpesvirus-1 in Two Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter Cooperii) With Fatal Inclusion Body Disease

Abstract

ABSTRACT:We report two separate naturally occurring cases of fatal herpesviral disease in Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter cooperii). Gross lesions included splenomegaly and hepatomegaly, with diffuse pale mottling or scattered small white foci. Histologic lesions included splenic and hepatic necrosis associated with eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies characteristic of herpesvirus. In one case, necrosis and inclusions were also noted in bone marrow, thymus, bursa of Fabricius, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, ceca, and the enteric system. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated viral particles typical of herpesvirus within hepatocyte nuclei and budding from the nuclear membrane. Herpesviral DNA was amplified via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of paraffin-embedded liver and spleen, and sequence data were consistent with columbid herpesvirus-1, an alphaherpesvirus of Rock Pigeons (Columba livia). PCR results provide evidence that this disease is transmitted to raptors via Rock Pigeons, most likely through ingestion of Rock Pigeons as prey.

Phylogenetic analysis of Columbid herpesvirus-1 in rock pigeons, birds of prey and non-raptorial birds in Poland

“…The results obtained in our study confirm previous findings that all recently reported herpesviruses from birds of prey belong to CoHV-1 [1,5,13,14,27]. Indeed, herpesviruses are not restricted to a specific host or tissue and may cross the barriers of the specific host.…”

“…[3] as an agent affecting pigeons that caused visceral lesion such as necrosis especially in liver. Herpesvirus infection was frequently identified in young pigeons and free-ranging birds from different countries of Europe [12,16,20-22], Iraq [23], USA [1,13,15], Australia [4,14] and Canada [5]. The virus is antigenically related to CoHV-1 and was found in falcons and owls [1,4,5,12-16].…”

“…However, virus isolation in cell cultures confirmed the CoHV-1 presence. So far the methods of CoHV-1 detection included mainly histopathological examinations which is dedicated only to experienced pathologists, serum neutralisation tests, DNA endonuclease digestion and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which in spite of their usefulness are laborious and time-consuming [7,9,10,13]. The uniplex-PCR technique facilitating the detection of all three most important viral pathogens of pigeon was further described by Frieck et al [25].…”

“…In case of herpesvirus infection of falcons the lesions include small necrotic foci in liver, spleen, kidney, pharynx and bone marrow [14-16]. Neurological signs are also possible but rare [13]. The infection may also remain latent making pigeons susceptible to secondary infections with other viral pathogens [11,17].…”

“…The infection may also remain latent making pigeons susceptible to secondary infections with other viral pathogens [11,17]. The previously described infections with CoHV-1 were observed among Accipitridae family in Common Buzzards ( Buteo buteo ), Booted Eagles (Hieraaetus pennatus) and Cooper Hawks ( Accipiter Cooperi) [13,14,16]. Owls ( Strigidae ), such as the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), may also be affected by the same virus [4,5].…”