Detection and partial genetic characterisation of novel avi- and siadenoviruses in racing and fancy pigeons (Columba livia domestica)

Abstract

Up to now, only a single adenovirus (AdV) isolate seemingly specific for pigeons, hence named pigeon AdV-1 (PiAdV-1), has been characterised at DNA sequence level. In the present work, the prevalence and diversity of AdVs occurring in domestic pigeon were examined by a survey performed on randomly collected samples using a very efficient, consensus nested PCR targeting the viral DNA polymerase gene. The newly detected viruses were characterised by sequencing and phylogeny analysis. Amplification of additional genome fragments was attempted by the use of several other PCR methods aiming at the hexon gene. During a 4-year survey, samples from dead or live, healthy pigeons originating from 27 lofts were examined in Hungary. Almost 50% of the samples (48 out of 97) proved to be positive for AdV. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of four hitherto unknown pigeon AdV types. PiAdV-1 was also identified in one sample. Two novel viruses named PiAdV-2 and -3 were found to belong to the genus Aviadenovirus, and two other novel types (PiAdV-4 and -5) to the genus Siadenovirus. This is the first report on the occurrence of siadenoviruses in birds belonging to the order Columbiformes. Approximately two-thirds of the PiAdV-2 genome was sequenced and analysed.

Adenoviruses across the animal kingdom: a walk in the zoo

“…PCR‐amplification and partial characterization of novel AdVs, detected in racing and fancy pigeons, have been reported recently . The full genome sequence of two psittacine aviadenoviruses (PsAdVs) has been published.…”

“…From siadenoviruses found in Adélie penguin and Humboldt penguin , in budgerigar and great tit, partial sequences of different lengths are available. Two novel pigeon AdVs, types 4 and 5, were also classified as siadenoviruses . Among the PsAdVs, PsAdV‐2 is especially pathogenic and has been described already from more than half a dozen of different psittacine species and cockatoo .…”

A comparative pathogenicity analysis of two adenovirus strains, 1/A and 8a/E, isolated from poultry in Poland

“…Adenoviruses of types 7/E and 1/A are 1 3 responsible for failure of chicken vaccination and immunodeficiency [28,35]. The presence of FAdV DNA in infected birds may be detected in many internal organs, including trachea, kidney, liver, spleen, intestines, gizzard, and bursa of Fabricius [1]. Virus tropism depends on the age of the bird and immunological competence of the strain.…”

Detection of a putative novel adenovirus by PCR amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic characterisation of two gene fragments from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of a cat diagnosed with disseminated adenovirus disease

“…Nonetheless, clear signs of host switches of smaller, or sometimes larger, scale have also been recognised (Benkő and Harrach, 2003). As a result of host switching events, a certain host species may harbour several AdVs that are very divergent, representing sometimes distant virus lineages (Vidovszky et al, 2015;Ballmann and Harrach, 2016).…”