Pacheco’s disease in a Hungarian zoo bird population: A case report

Abstract

An epizootic of Pacheco's disease is reported from a zoo bird population. The infection was introduced by wild-captured Patagonian conures (Cyanoliseus patagonus) despite 61 days of quarantine. The disease affected several parrot species and, interestingly, three out of seven bearded barbets (Lybius dubius). The mortality rate was 30.93%. Autopsy revealed abdominal hyperaemia with liver haemorrhages and, in less rapid cases, yellowish discoloration and fragility of the liver. Death was caused by the collapse of circulation. Histopathology demonstrated liver cell necrosis, disintegration of the lobular structure, and a few intranuclear inclusion bodies. Icosahedral virions were detected by electron microscopy. The virus was isolated in the allantoic cavity of embryonated chicken eggs as well as in chicken embryo fibroblast cell culture. A 281-bp-long fragment of psittacid herpesvirus DNA was detected by PCR in cell culture material and liver samples of the affected birds. To our knowledge this is the first report of Pacheco's disease in bearded barbets as well as the first occurrence of Pacheco's disease in Hungary.

Respiratory herpesvirus infection in two Indian Ringneck parakeets

“…Another possibility is that this lower respiratory disease is an unusual manifestation of PD. Pacheco's disease occurs worldwide, 1,3,4,6,10,12,13 and once recognized, it was speculated that PD is caused by a single PsHV serotype. Today, there are at least 5 different PsHV serotypes 25 recovered from Psittacid birds, with serotype 1 (PsHV-1) being the most common.…”

Viral Diagnosis in Psittacine Birds: A Scientometric and Systematic Review of 47 Years

“…Cacatuidae encompasses species that are highly popular in the pet trade and very sensitive to viral infections, with several reports of severe diseases [ 64 , 66 , 67 ], including one of the first reports of BFD [ 44 ]. It should be emphasized that these birds are mainly distributed in Australia [ 1 ], where most renowned researchers in the area of bird virology are located, making the development of research on these birds more possible.…”

Isolation of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus Spp. And Kocuria Varians in Pure Culture from Tissues of Cases of Mortalities in Parrots in Grenada, West Indies

“…Mortalities in psittacine birds have been reported due to viral diseases such as Pacheco's disease herpesviruses (Bistyak et al, 2007, Barao da Cunha et al, 2007, and bacterial diseases such as chlamydiosis (Raso Tde et al, 2004), and salmonellosis (Ward et al, 2003). Although uncommon, deaths in these birds may also occur due to Gram-positive bacteria, including Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (GalindoCardiel et al, 2012), Lactobacillus jensenii (Foldenauer et al, 2009), and Staphylococcus aureus (Hermans et al, 2000).…”