Molecular analysis and associated pathology of beak and feather disease virus isolated in Italy from young Congo African grey parrots (<i>Psittacus erithacus</i>) with an “atypical peracute form” of the disease

Robino, Patrizia; Grego, Elena; Rossi, Giacomo; Bert, Elena; Tramuta, Clara; Stella, Maria Cristina; Bertoni, Pierfrancesco; Nebbia, Patrizia

doi:10.1080/03079457.2014.934660

Cited by 15 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Interestingly, sequences obtained from the same aviary, but from different birds, were never identical, but, with the exception of aviary 5, were always found in the same subgroup. The genetic heterogeneity found in this investigation agrees well with similar findings in other circoviruses where extensive genetic diversity was attributed to the high mutation rate generally detected in circoviruses (Johne et al, 2006;Halami et al, 2008;Allan et al, 2012;Liao et al, 2015;Matczuk et al, 2015;Stenzel et al, 2015) and, recently, also to extensive recombination events (Varsani et al, 2011;Julian et al, 2013;Robino et al, 2014;Stenzel et al, 2014). In the cases of zebra finch circovirus infections presented here, this argues against multiple introductions of circovirus but for virus persistence and evolution in the aviaries.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…It has to be noted that a suitable ATG start codon of the cap gene could only be identified in two strains, but an alternative start codon candidate (TTG) was localized in the remaining four strains, which allowed encoding of a protein of a length and with features common to other circoviruses. Lack of the canonical ATG start codon in the putative cap gene has been noted in many other circoviruses as well (Bassami et al, 1998;Phenix et al, 2001; de Kloet & de Kloet, 2004;Stewart et al, 2006;Todd et al, 2007;Henriques et al, 2010;Li et al, 2010;Robino et al, 2014). A highly basic N-terminal region of the protein and a bipartite nuclear localization signal were consistently identified supporting a possible function of the Cap protein in transporting the Rep protein into the nucleus (Heath et al, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

“…Identification of genome organization and functional structures was based on comparison with full genome sequences of other circoviruses (Todd et al, 2007;Robino et al, 2014) and was additionally performed using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) (National Center for Biotechnology Information, Bethesda, MD, USA) and the Open Reading Frame Finder (National Center for Biotechnology Information, Bethesda, MD, USA) (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) as well as the Prosite software (Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland) (Sigrist et al, 2002).…”

Section: Molecular Characterization Of Circovirusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A polyadenylation (poly(A)) signal was detected at position 1200 of the genome. Three conserved amino acid motifs (FTLNNPT, GTPHLQG and YCSKE) associated with rolling circle replication (Todd et al, 2007) as well as a dNTP-binding site (GPSGVGKS) and three additional conserved motifs (WWDGY, DDFYGW and DRYP) (Todd et al, 2007;Robino et al, 2014) were consistently identified within the rep genes of the circovirus strains (Supplementary Figure S1).…”

Section: Genome Organizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular characterization of a recently identified circovirus in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) associated with immunosuppression and opportunistic infections

Rinder¹,

Schmitz²,

Peschel³

et al. 2016

Avian Pathology

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A recently identified circovirus (family Circoviridae) was detected in 14 zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) from seven aviaries and hobbyist breeders using polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing. Full genome sequences of virus strains from six zebra finches consistently revealed characteristic circoviral genomic features such as a stem-loop structure and two major open reading frames (ORFs) encoding the replication-associated protein and the putative capsid protein. One further ORF encoding a protein of unknown function was additionally identified in all six genomes. Based on full genome nucleotide comparison, zebra finch circovirus was most similar to Finch circovirus originating from a Gouldian finch (Chloebia gouldiae) sharing 78% nucleotide identity. High genetic diversity was detected in the circoviruses from individual zebra finches. Comparison of the six full genome sequences revealed two genetic subgroups, which shared pairwise nucleotide identities between 91.4% and 92.7%. Analyses including partial sequences of the replication-associated protein gene of the zebra finch circovirus strains from all 14 birds supported the existence of two main clusters. Clinical diseases associated with circovirus infection were found in nestlings, fledglings and adult birds and varied from mild to severe with high mortality caused by secondary infections. Macrorhabdus ornithogaster was the most frequently detected opportunistic pathogen. Feathering disorders were seen in two birds. Lymphocytic depletion of the spleen and leukocytopaenia were detected in individual birds, suggesting immunosuppression and a pathogenesis common to circovirus infections in other birds.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Section: Molecular Characterization Of Circovirusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Genome Organizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular characterization of a recently identified circovirus in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) associated with immunosuppression and opportunistic infections

Rinder¹,

Schmitz²,

Peschel³

et al. 2016

Avian Pathology

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“…; Robino et al. ). Feathers typically produce low DNA yields, particularly those that have been cut off from the blood supply once fully grown (De Volo et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trade and conservation implications of new beak and feather disease virus detection in native and introduced parrots

Fogell

Martin

Bunbury

et al. 2018

Conservation Biology

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Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD), caused by Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), has spread rapidly around the world, raising concerns for threatened species conservation and biosecurity associated with the global pet bird trade. The virus has been reported in several wild parrot populations, but data are lacking for many taxa and geographical areas with high parrot endemism. We aimed to advance understanding of BFDV distribution in many data-deficient areas and determine phylogenetic and biogeographic associations of the virus in 5 parrot species across Africa, the Indian Ocean islands, Asia, and Europe and focused specifically on the highly traded and invasive Psittacula krameri. Blood, feather, and tissue samples were screened for BFDV through standard polymerase chain reaction. Isolates obtained from positive individuals were then analyzed in a maximum likelihood phylogeny along with all other publically available global BFDV sequences. We detected BFDV in 8 countries where it was not known to occur previously, indicating the virus is more widely distributed than currently recognized. We documented for the first time the presence of BFDV in wild populations of P. krameri within its native range in Asia and Africa. We detected BFDV among introduced P. krameri in Mauritius and the Seychelles, raising concerns for island endemic species in the region. Phylogenetic relationships between viral sequences showed likely pathways of transmission between populations in southern Asia and western Africa. A high degree of phylogenetic relatedness between viral variants from geographically distant populations suggests recent introductions, likely driven by global trade. These findings highlight the need for effective regulation of international trade in live parrots, particularly in regions with high parrot endemism or vulnerable taxa where P. krameri could act as a reservoir host.

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Emerging infectious disease or evidence of endemicity? A multi-season study of beak and feather disease virus in wild red-crowned parakeets (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae)

et al. 2015

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Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) is a single-stranded DNA virus that is the etiological agent of beak and feather disease in both wild and captive parrots. Given that BFDV is globally recognized as a conservation threat for wild parrots, between 2011-2013, red-crowned parakeets (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae, n = 229), which are endemic to New Zealand, were captured in mist nets on Tiritiri Matangi Island and Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island (LBI), New Zealand, for disease surveillance. Blood and feathers from all birds were tested by PCR for BFDV, and full genomes were recovered and sequenced. A subset of blood samples (n = 96) were tested for antibodies to BFDV by the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. A further 238 feather samples were obtained from red-crowned parakeets from three sites in the Wellington region of the North Island, and these were screened for BFDV. The DNA-based prevalence of BFDV infection determined on Tiritiri Matangi Island was 1.09% (CI 95 %, 0.1-3.9%); on Hauturu-o-Toi/LBI, 4.4% (95% CI, 0.5%-15.1%); on Kapiti Island, 3.4% (CI 95%, 1.1-7.8%); at the ZEALANDIA-Karori sanctuary, 1.6% (95% CI, 0-8.4%); and on Matiu-Somes Island, 0% (CI 95%, 0-12.3%). Seroprevalence for BFDV, indicating prior or current exposure, in the Tiritiri Matangi Island population, it was 2% (CI 95%, 0-10.1%), and in the Hauturu-o-Toi/LBI population was 14% (CI 95%, 5.3-27.9%). BFDV-positive birds showed no signs of clinical disease, with the exception of an individual bird obtained opportunistically from Shakespear Regional Park during the study period, which had classical signs of feather loss. Phylogenetic analysis of the 11 full genome sequences recovered from BFDV-positive red-crowned parakeets revealed evidence of ongoing viral flow between red-crowned parakeets and eastern rosellas (Platycercus eximius) in the Hauraki Gulf/Auckland region, with separate but closely related strains from the Wellington region of the North Island. This is the first study to report HI results for a New Zealand endemic parrot species, and the first epidemiological analysis of serial cross-sectional surveys in a BFDV-infected population of red-crowned parakeets in New Zealand. We postulate that although BFDV remains a threat to small, isolated or naïve populations of parrots globally, the low viral prevalence in this and other studies suggests that native parakeets in New Zealand may act as dead-end or spillover hosts.

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Molecular analysis and associated pathology of beak and feather disease virus isolated in Italy from young Congo African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) with an “atypical peracute form” of the disease

Cited by 15 publications

References 42 publications

Molecular characterization of a recently identified circovirus in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) associated with immunosuppression and opportunistic infections

Molecular characterization of a recently identified circovirus in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) associated with immunosuppression and opportunistic infections

Trade and conservation implications of new beak and feather disease virus detection in native and introduced parrots

Emerging infectious disease or evidence of endemicity? A multi-season study of beak and feather disease virus in wild red-crowned parakeets (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae)

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