Psittacine Pox Virus: Virus Isolation and Identification, Transmission, and Cross-Challenge Studies in Parrots and Chickens

Abstract

An avian pox virus was isolated from Amazon parrots dying with severe diphtheritic oral, esophageal, and crop lesions. The virus was propagated on chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) of 10-day-old chicken embryos, and a homogenate of the infected CAM was rubbed vigorously onto the conjunctiva, oral mucosa, and defeathered follicles of two healthy Amazon parrots and three conures. All experimental birds developed cutaneous and ocular pox lesions, and one parrot developed oral pox lesions. Specific-pathogen-free chicks inoculated with the virus isolate developed skin lesions identical to those of the parrots. Chickens vaccinated with fowl and pigeon pox vaccines and inoculated with the psittacine isolate developed lesions typical of avian pox. Chickens vaccinated with the psittacine virus were susceptible to fowl and pigeon pox virus infection. This pox virus isolate may thus be regarded as a potential pathogen for chickens.

Diversity of avipoxviruses in captive-bred Houbara bustard

“…Previous studies give contradictory conclusions about APV cross-immunity. While most of them show no cross-protection between clades [32,33] and even inside the same clade [34], a more recent study provides evidence of cross-protection between FWPV-like viruses and CNPV-like viruses in experimentally infected zebra finches [35]. In FWPV-like viruses, the absence of crossprotection has been shown to be linked to the presence of the integrated reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) sequence in the FWPV genome [34].…”

Genetic and antigenic differences between fowlpox and quailpox viruses

“…In contrast, the fragment profiles of fowlpox and pigeonpox virus DNAs are very similar [16], and cross-immunity is acquired following vaccination [19]. Thus, avian poxvirus isolates, which have been deemed immunologically different due to inadequate cross-protecting ability [2,9,12,20,21], probably represent distinct genetic species.…”

A Review of DNA Viral Infections in Psittacine Birds

“…Avian poxvirus infections in psittacine birds (psittacine poxvirus (PsPoV) infections) have been reported in several psittacine species, especially Amazon and pionus parrots [8,58], although this disease has never been reported in Japan. Avian poxviruses are all classified in the genus Avipoxvirus of the family Poxviridae with the subfamily Chordopoxvirinae.…”

“…The earliest clinical changes in affected birds are characterized by a serous ocular discharge, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis, followed by the appearance of ulcerations on the eyelid margins [8,58]. Dry crusty lesions are noted on the lid margins and the lateral and medial canthi of the eyes.…”

“…Infected Amazon parrots may also develop a severe upper respiratory tract disease. Mortality rates are highest when diphtheritic lesions cause defects in the mucosal barrier of the alimentary and respiratory tract, allowing secondary bacterial, fungal, or chlamydial organisms unrestricted access to the affected birds [8,27,58]. Histopathological lesions include necrosis of the heart and liver, as well as air sacculitis, pneumonia, peritonitis, and accumulation of necrotic debris on the surface of the alimentary tract.…”