Interactions between Viscerotropic Velogenic Newcastle Disease Virus and Pet Birds of Six Species. I. Clinical and Serologic Responses, and Viral Excretion

Abstract

Clinical and serologic responses to a psittacine isolate of viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease virus (VVNDV) were evaluated in pet birds of six species: budgerigar, yellow-headed Amazon parrot, halfmoon conure, lesser hill mynah, black-headed nun, canary. The clinical response was most marked in the budgerigars, parrots, and conures, and only minimal in the nuns. Between post-exposure days (PED) 3 and 5 some birds developed ruffled plumage, conjunctivitis, and central nervous system dysfunction: ataxia, wing tremors, paralysis of the extremities, and tremors of the head accompanied by nodding and jerking. Mortality by PED 203 was 55% (29/52) in the halfmoon conures, 22% (23/105) in budgerigars, 29% (12/42) in parrots, and 21% (15/71) in nuns. The only clinical signs in canaries and mynahs were progressive death losses, respectively 25% (33/132) and 21% (10/48). The visceral lesions common in chickens with VVNDV were not observed in these six species. Canaries rapidly eliminated Newcastle disease virus (NDV), whereas it was detected for protracted periods in the oral and cloacal secretions of the other five species (for more than a year in parrots). Serologic evaluation by the hemagglutination-inhibition and neutralization tests also indicated prolonged NDV infections in 5 of the 6 species. The seroconversion rate observed in canaries was minimal (13%).

Phylogenetic Analysis of Newcastle Disease Virus Genotypes Isolated in Japan

“…Since the trading of these birds across regional and international boundaries is extensive (over 400,000 nonpoultry birds have been imported into Japan each year for the last 5 years), the risk of worldwide dissemination of potentially virulent NDVs is considerable. Researchers have speculated that the various types of NDV have been introduced via the importation of various kinds of birds, since NDV can persist in birds in an inapparent carrier state (5,9,10,40).…”

Phylogenetic Relationships among Virulent Newcastle Disease Virus Isolates from the 2002-2003 Outbreak in California and Other Recent Outbreaks in North America

“…Also, members of the Columbidae family may be infected with APMV-1 adapted to those particular avian species, designated pigeon paramyxovirus 1 (PPMV-1), and are also susceptible to infection by NDV strains that produce clinical disease in chickens (4,16,36,40). Erickson et al (10,11) reported that NDV can be shed from Amazon parrots for more than a year and from budgerigars, conures, mynahs, and black-headed nuns sporadically for up to 83 days.…”

“…(CA)/ 169302/02] was isolated from a psittacine bird in a northern California pet shop. Several species of psittacine birds can intermittently shed virus in excess of 83 days postexposure (10,11). For this reason, nonclinically infected psittacine birds can potentially transmit NDV, especially since psittacine birds and game fowl are often located on the same premises.…”

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) to review Newcastle disease focussing on vaccination worldwide in order to determine its optimal use for disease control purposes

“…Clinical signs may include non specific signs as depression, apathy and ruffled feathers as well as watery greenish diarrhoea, polyuria and later CNS signs. A striking observation was that 5 of 6 species studied, virulent APMV-1 strains were shed for a prolonged period of time (for parrots even more than a year) (Erickson, 1977a). …”