Pigeon Rotavirus A as the cause of systemic infection in juvenile pigeons (young pigeon disease)

Abstract

Recent investigations suggested pigeon associated Rotavirus Typ A genotype G18P[17] (RVA) as a causative agent of the classical ‘young pigeon disease’ (YPD). YPD was first described in the late 1980 s as an acute, mainly seasonally recurring disorder of mostly juvenile domestic pigeons (Columba livia) with clinical signs such as anorexia, dairrhea, vomiting, congested crops, weight loss and occasionally mortality. Various studies in the past indicated a multifactorial nature of YPD. Several pathogens, such as pigeon circovirus 1, avian adenoviruses and Escherichia coli were also suggested, but none of these could reproduce the disease experimentally. However, the impact of other pathogens on the clinical development of YPD cannot be excluded and requires further investigation. This present review summarizes available information on RVA-induced disease in pigeons, its association with YPD, the transmission, and diagnosis of the infection, and on prophylactic strategies to prevent RVA outbreaks.

The first confirmed cases of pigeon rotavirus A (RVA) infection in domestic pigeons (Columba livia) in Poland

“…Pigeon-type RVA has been causing losses among domestic pigeons since a much earlier period than the time when it was first described in association with clinical disease ( 16 , 22 ). Pigeon-type RVA infections are currently a serious problem in pigeon breeding.…”

“…Young pigeon disease (YPD) is a common problem in the breeding of domestic pigeons ( Columba livia ) and has been known for more than three decades ( 6 , 16 , 21 ). Various pathogens, including pigeon adenoviruses, pigeon circovirus 1 and Escherichia coli had been suspected to be involved ( 7 , 21 , 25 ) prior to the 2020 fulfilment of the Henle–Koch postulates and confirmation of a pigeon-associated clade of rotavirus A genotype G18P(17) as the causative agent of “classical” YPD ( 16 , 23 ). Rotavirus A (RVA) is a double-stranded RNA virus in the Rotavirus genus and Reoviridae family.…”

“…Fatal diseases of juvenile pigeons associated with RVA have been reported in Australia, Europe and the USA ( 2 , 3 , 10 , 13 , 15 , 22 , 24 ). In most cases, pigeon-type RVA was able to establish systemic infection and it necrotised birds’ livers ( 3 , 15 , 16 , 22 , 23 ). Infection with RVA spreads quickly through a loft and typically causes high morbidity up to 100% and mortality ranging from none to more than 50% ( 3 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 22 ).…”

“…In most cases, pigeon-type RVA was able to establish systemic infection and it necrotised birds’ livers ( 3 , 15 , 16 , 22 , 23 ). Infection with RVA spreads quickly through a loft and typically causes high morbidity up to 100% and mortality ranging from none to more than 50% ( 3 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 22 ). Usually, the course of disease in affected flocks lasts around one week, and it takes up to three weeks for recovered pigeons to regain weight ( 23 ).…”

“…Usually, the course of disease in affected flocks lasts around one week, and it takes up to three weeks for recovered pigeons to regain weight ( 23 ). Clinical manifestations of RVA infection included apathy, anorexia, slimy greenish diarrhoea, vomiting and a congested crop ( 15 , 16 , 22 , 23 ). In contrast, neurological or respiratory signs were only rarely reported ( 15 , 22 , 23 ).…”