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Description:
 Psittacine
Beak and Feather Disease
- The virus causing this disease is a member of the Circoviridae.
The molecular structure of the genome of the virus is roughly a
2,000 base, circular, single stranded DNA. PBFD virus has a strong
resemblance to Porcine Circovirus as well as to a number of plant
viruses such as the Banana Bungy virus.
The disease is thought to be specific for psittacines and all psittacine
species should be considered susceptible. Parrots known to be particularly
affected by PBFD include, but are not limited to, Cockatoos, Macaws
African Grey Parrots, Ringneck parakeets, Eclectus Parrots, Lovebirds.
 Causes
fatal infections, primarily in young birds. Older birds may overcome
the disease with few lasting affects.Some believe that these surviving
birds become carriers able to shed the disease at a later date.
Others believe that a percentage of birds are able to eradicate
the disease from their system leaving them with a natural immunity
that can be passed on to their offspring.
The virus that causes PBFD can also affect the liver, brain, and
immune system causing diminished resistance to infections. Consequently
premature death usually occurs from these secondary bacterial, fungal,
parasitic, or viral infections.
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Transmission:
Transmission of the virus from one individual
to another is primarily through direct contact, inhalation or ingestion
of aerosols, crop-feeding, infected fecal material, and feather dust.
The virus can also be transmitted via contaminated surfaces such as
bird carriers, feeding formula, utensils, food dishes, clothing, and
nesting materials. The viral particles, if not destroyed can remain
viable in the environment for months, long after the infected bird
is gone.
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Symptoms:
Symptoms include irreversible loss
of feathers, shedding of developing feathers, development of abnormal
feathers, new pinched feathers, and loss of powder down. Other possible
symptoms include overgrown or abnormal beak, symmetrical lesions
on the beak and occasionally nails.
Immunosuppression, rapid weight loss,
and depression are also possible in later stages of the disease.
 Secondary
viral, fungal, bacterial or parasitic infections often occursas a
result of diminished immunity caused by a PBFD viral infection. Additional
symptoms not mentioned above including elevated white cell counts
are generally due to secondary infections and may not be directly
related to PBFD virus infections.
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Prevention:
Strict isolation of all
diseased birds to halt the the spread of the disease. DNA testing
of all birds of susceptible species to rule out latent infection.
DNA testing of aviary equipment and environment to test for possible
contamination.
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Treatment:
No known treatment. Experimental vaccines
are being developed.
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Diagnosis:
Skin biopsy, surgical biopsy of feather
and shaft, or PCR testing of blood, swab, and feather samples.
PBFD should be considered in any bird suffering from abnormal feather
loss or development. A biopsy of the abnormal feathers including the
calimus (shaft) of the feather can be examined for signs of virus.
However, since the PBFD virus does not affect all feathers simultaneously
this method of evaluating a sample may have a high degree of error.
Additionally, birds with PBFD can have normal feathers and the PCR
test is the most effective method available for detecting the virus
in birds before feather lesions develop.
Some birds infected with the virus, test positive, but never show
clinical signs. Other birds which test positive may develop an immune
response sufficient enough to fight off the infection and test negative
after 30-90 days. Therefore, it is recommended to re-test all PBFD
positive birds 60-90 days after the initial testing was completed.
If the second sample remains positive, the bird should be considered
permanently infected and can be expected to show clinical symptoms
of the disease.
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Sample:
To test
an individual bird a whole blood sample is recommended in conjunction
with a cloacal swab or feathers (especially abnormal or suspicious-looking
feathers) when possible. If the sample tests
positive
the bird should be placed in quarantine and re-tested after 4-6 weeks.
If the
bird tests negative the second time a third test after 4-6 weeks is
recommended.
Post-mortem samples include liver, spleen, kidney, feather samples
in a sterile
container; postmortem swabs may also be submitted.
Environmental testing using swabs of aviaries, countertops, fans,
air-filters, nest-boxes, etc. is extremely effective in determining
the presence of PBFD DNA in the environment.
*It is recommenced to submit both a whole blood and cloacal swab
sample
for analysis when possible.
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Handling:
Prior to shipping samples should be
stored at 4 C. (refrigerator). Samples must be shipped in a padded
envelope or box. Samples may be sent by regular mail, but overnight
is recommended.
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More
Information
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PO Box
107, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2YR England
Tel: (44) 01872 262737, Fax: (44) 01872 262737
info@avianbiotech.co.uk
WebMaster: Rockin@avianbiotech.co.uk
Copyright © 1995-2004
Animal Genetics, Inc. All rights reserved.
Avian Biotech and Avian Connection are ™ of Animal Genetics, Inc.
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