Reovirus infection in two species of Psittaciformes recently imported into Italy

Abstract

An outbreak of reovirus infection with high mortality in two groups of recently imported psittacine birds is reported. The disease in the two species involved, African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus erithacus) and Australian king parrots (Alisterus scapularis), had differences in clinical presentation and gross lesions. Reovirus particles were observed by electron microscopy and ultrastructural examination of tissues, and two viruses were isolated in cell culture, one from each bird species. Both isolates were studied by cross-neutralization with antisera against reference avian reoviruses isolated from chickens and parrots, and were found to have the greatest similarity to viruses isolated from a budgerigar and a southern screamer.

Reovirus infections associated with high mortality in psittaciformes in The Netherlands

“…There is a range of strains of avian reovirus with different antigenicity that cause different disorders in poultry (Hsu et al, 2005). Also one cannot exclude the possibility that the simultaneous presence of more than one reovirus strain could show different levels of pathogenicity for different species (Conzo et al, 2001). Characterization of psittacine reovirus isolates with a panel of mAbs revealed that these strains showed a distinct pattern compared with reovirus strains commonly isolated from chickens.…”

“…Because reoviruses were seen consistently, they seemed to be the most probable cause of the outbreak. Although reovirus infections are found in different psittacine species, it is said that Old World species such as the African grey parrot (P. e. erithacus ), are more sensitive, while New World species are less affected and show more resistance (Conzo et al, 2001;Smidt et al, 2003;Manvell et al, 2004). In this report, both New World and Old World species showed high mortality, while Old World species were affected twice as often.…”

“…Avian reoviruses may cause serious disease in birds; especially in poultry, they can cause important losses (Tang et al, 1987). Outbreaks of reovirus infection in psittacines have previously been reported and have increased in frequency over the years (Senne et al, 1983;Ashton et al, 1984;Wilson et al, 1985;Graham, 1987;Conzo et al, 2001;Sanchez-Cordon et al, 2002). They often involved imported consignments of African grey parrots (Psittacus e. erithacus ) and also other species, such as Australian king parrots (Alisterus scapularis ).…”

“…In Amazon parrots, chronic respiratory signs were reported. In cockatoos, non-specific clinical signs such as incoordination, emaciation and diarrhoea were seen (Wilson et al, 1985;Conzo et al, 2001). Sudden death and hepatomegaly are reported to be suggestive of reoviruses in lories, lorikeets (Trichoglossus sp.…”

“…Reoviral infection in New World (South America) psittaciformes is suggested to be rare. These species are thought to be more resistant than the Old World parrots (those of Australian, Asian and African origin) and could recover more easily when given appropriate supportive care (Ritchie & Carter, 1995;Conzo et al, 2001;Smidt et al, 2003;Manvell et al, 2004).…”