Two different avipoxviruses associated with pox disease in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) along the Brazilian coast

Abstract

A novel avipoxvirus caused diphtheritic lesions in the oesophagus of five and in the bronchioli of four Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) and also cutaneous lesions in eight Magellanic penguins housed in outdoor enclosures in a Rehabilitation Centre at Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. At the same time, another avipoxvirus strain caused cutaneous lesions in three Magellanic penguins at a geographically distinct Rehabilitation Centre localized at Vila Velha, Espírito Santo State, Brazil. Diagnosis was based on clinical signs, histopathology and use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Clinical signs in the penguins included cutaneous papules and nodules around eyelids and beaks, depression and restriction in weight gain. The most common gross lesions were severely congested and haemorrhagic lungs, splenomegaly and cardiomegaly. Histological examination revealed Bollinger inclusion bodies in cutaneous lesions, mild to severe bronchopneumonia, moderate periportal lymphocytic hepatitis, splenic lymphopenia and lymphocytolysis. Other frequent findings included necrotizing splenitis, enteritis, oesophagitis, dermatitis and airsacculitis. Cytoplasmic inclusion bodies were seen within oesophageal epithelial cells in five birds and in epithelial cells of the bronchioli in four penguins. DNA from all samples was amplified from skin tissue by PCR using P4b-targeting primers already described in the literature for avipoxvirus. The sequences showed two different virus strains belonging to the genus Avipoxvirus of the Chordopoxvirinae subfamily, one being divergent from the penguinpox and avipoxviruses already described in Magellanic penguins in Patagonia, but segregating within a clade of canarypox-like viruses implicated in diphtheritic and respiratory disease.

Gelijktijdige uitbraken van verschillende avipoxvirussen bij humboldtpinguïns in dierenpark Planckendael en bij kippen van commerciële pluimveebedrijven in België

“…The partial P4b gene amplification products of the expected size (578bp) were obtained from both the penguin and chicken samples in this study confirming the value of this PCR for APV infections (Gyuranecz et al, 2013;Ha et al, 2013;Huw Lee and Hwa Lee, 1997;Lüschow et al, 2004;Manarolla et al, 2010;Niemeyer et al, 2013). According to the phylogenetic analysis of the partial P4b gene, the majority of APVs can be separated into three major clades: A (fowlpox virus), B (canarypox virus) and C (psittacinepox virus) (Gyuranecz et al, 2013;Jarmin et al, 2006).…”

“…The poxvirus infection has also been observed in Humboldt (S. humboldti) and Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua). In addition, the pox-like wart growth has been reported in Rockhopper (Eudyptes chrysocome) and Galapagos penguins (Spheniscus mendiculus) (Carulei et al, 2009;Gyuranecz et al, 2013;Kane et al, 2012;Niemeyer et al, 2013;Offerman et al, 2014).…”

“…In the last 15 years, molecular biological techniques like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been used for routine diagnosis. The partial P4b core protein gene of 578-base pairs (bp) is a highly conserved pan-genus marker of APVs and is commonly used for diagnosis (Gyuranecz et al, 2013;Huw Lee and Hwa Lee, 1997;Lüschow et al, 2004;Manarolla et al, 2010;Niemeyer et al, 2013).…”

Diversity of avipoxviruses in captive-bred Houbara bustard

“…More recently, a third cluster was described for APV isolates from Magellanic penguins [26]. With Houbara sequences, especially CNPV/Chlamydotis undulata/MA/ 001/2009 and CNPV/Chlamydotis macqueenii/MA/097/ 2012, diversity within subclade B1 increased and distinction of clusters becomes questionable.…”

Avian Pox in Native Captive Psittacines, Brazil, 2015

“…data) and an isolate of the Magellanic penguin ( Spheniscus magellanicus ) (GenBank accession no. KF516679.1) ( 9 ) were grouped in the canarypox clade. A local chicken isolate (GenBank accession no.…”