Monitoring of free-ranging and captive Psittacula populations in Western Europe for avian bornaviruses, circoviruses and polyomaviruses.

Monitoring of free-ranging and captive Psittacula populations in Western Europe for avian bornaviruses, circoviruses and polyomaviruses. Avian Pathol. 2019 Oct 16;:1-26 Authors: Kessler S, Heenemann K, Krause T, Twietmeyer S, Fuchs J, Lierz M, Corman VM, Vahlenkamp TM, Rubbenstroth D Abstract Avian pathogens such as bornaviruses, circoviruses and polyomaviruses are widely distributed in captive collections of psittacine birds worldwide and can cause fatal diseases. In contrast, only little is known about their presence in free-ranging psittacines and their impact on these populations. Rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) and Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria) are non-native to Europe, but have established stable populations in parts of Western Europe. During 2012 to 2017, we surveyed free-ranging populations in Germany and France as well as captive Psittacula individuals from Germany and Spain for avian bornavirus, circovirus and polyomavirus infections. Samples from two out of 469 tested free-ranging birds (0.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI-95]: 0.1 to 1.5%) were positive for beak and feather disease virus (BeFDV), whereas avian bornaviruses and polyomaviruses were not detected in the free-ranging populations. In contrast, avian bornavirus and polyomavirus infections, but not circoviruses were detected in captive populations. Parrot bornavirus 4 (PaBV-4) infection was detected by RT-PCR in four out of 210 captive parak...
Source: Avian Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Avian Pathol Source Type: research