Avian pox in crimson rosellas (Platycercus elegans) in southern Australia

Avian Pathol. 2013 Apr;42(2):147-50. doi: 10.1080/03079457.2013.773581.

Abstract

Poxviral infection was identified in a crimson rosella presented to the Australian Wildlife Health Centre (Victoria) in 2002, and from a second crimson rosella in 2008. Both cases were characterized by proliferative lesions on non-feathered skin. Routine histopathology identified intra-lesional epidermal changes consistent with those caused by poxvirus. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of poxvirus in inclusions in the first case, and genetic analysis of DNA extracted from both cases found an identical viral genome that differs from all other known poxviruses. We conclude that this infection in crimson rosellas is caused by a previously unrecognized avian poxvirus endemic to this region of Australia, and with low virulence.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Avipoxvirus / genetics
  • Avipoxvirus / pathogenicity*
  • Bird Diseases / pathology*
  • Bird Diseases / virology*
  • Electrophoresis / veterinary
  • Microscopy, Electron / veterinary
  • Parrots*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Poxviridae Infections / pathology
  • Poxviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Victoria
  • Viral Core Proteins / genetics
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Viral Core Proteins