Rotavirus A Associated with Clinical Disease and Hepatic Necrosis in California Pigeons (Columba livia domestica)

Characterization of an avian rotavirus A strain isolated from a velvet scoter (Melanitta fusca): implication for the role of migratory birds in global spread of avian rotaviruses

“…Taken together with the fact that G18P[17]−1980s strains PO-13 and 993/83 were isolated in geographically distant regions (Japan and Germany, respectively) [22, 24, 38], this finding supports the possibility that migratory birds could be involved in the global spread of the G18P[17] strains in the 1980s. Notably, genetically closely related G18P[17] strains have been detected worldwide since 2011 [25–29], indicating that the global spread of G18P[17] strains detected in the 2010s (G18P[17]−2010s strains) may also result from the movement of migratory birds. While the findings obtained in this study suggest that velvet scoters, which breed in the Arctic area and migrate mainly to East Asia and northern Europe in winter [48], can disperse G18P[17] strains via their migration, it is still uncertain whether bird species other than velvet scoters can carry and spread these strains.…”

“…To date, G18P[17] RVA strains have been detected in various countries/areas around the world [16, 18, 24–30]. Interestingly, the PO-13 and 993/83 strains, which are genetically related to each other, were isolated in Japan [24] and in Germany [16], respectively, in the same year (1983), suggesting that the two strains have a common origin [16, 22, 31–33].…”

“…Interestingly, the PO-13 and 993/83 strains, which are genetically related to each other, were isolated in Japan [24] and in Germany [16], respectively, in the same year (1983), suggesting that the two strains have a common origin [16, 22, 31–33]. More recently, G18P[17] RVAs, which share similar genetic characteristics at the whole genome level, were detected from pigeons with clinical signs such as sudden death, apathy, fluffy plumage and inappetence, which were diagnosed as so-called ‘young pigeon disease syndrome’, in various countries/areas, including Australia, Nigeria, Europe and the USA [25–29]. However, it remains unclear why these genetically similar G18P[17] RVA strains have been found in geographically wide regions.…”

Occurrence and Role of Selected RNA-Viruses as Potential Causative Agents of Watery Droppings in Pigeons

“…Another occurrence of rotavirus A hepatic necrosis in pigeons was noted in California by Blakey et al, who examined the samples acquired from the racing pigeons and squab breeders showing symptoms similar to those described by McCowan and others [42]. They performed immunohistochemistry and negative-stain electron microscopy tests as well as subsequent phylogenetic analysis to identify the virus [84]. Moreover, several previously unknown RVA lineages closely related but not identical to an RVA variant identified in Australian cases were discovered by Rubbenstroth et al, who examined a series of outbreaks of acute disease with the clinical picture similar to the cases mentioned previously, reported in domestic and feral pigeons in Germany, Belgium, and Denmark.…”

Genome Sequence of Rotavirus A from a Florida Racing Pigeon ( Columba livia domestica )

“…The genus Rotavirus (family Reoviridae ) includes nine species, namely, rotaviruses A to D and F to J ( 2 , 3 ). Pigeons infected with rotavirus A (RVA) have been reported in the United States (California), Australia, Denmark, Belgium, Hungary, and Germany ( 4 – 9 ). The RVA genome is composed of 11 segments of double-stranded RNA, which encode six structural proteins (VP1 to VP4, VP6, and VP7) and six nonstructural proteins (NSP1 to NSP6) ( 10 , 11 ).…”