Comparison of herpesvirus isolates from falcons, pigeons and psittacines by restriction endonuclease analysis

Field isolates of herpesviruses recovered from falcon, pigeon, and psittacine birds were compared by restriction endonuclease (RE) analysis using four separate enzymes. Pigeon and falcon herpesviruses had strikingly similar DNA cleavage patterns, while DNA cleavage pattern of virus isolates from a double-yellow headed Amazon and an African grey parrot had different genomic patterns to both the pigeon and falcon herpesviruses. These findings support the field observations that pigeon herpesvirus causes a fatal herpesviral infection in the livers of pigeon-eating falcons.

Antibody prevalence and isolation of Chlamydia psittaci from pigeons (Columba livia)

The isolation of Chlamydia psittaci and serological detection of Chlamydia-specific antibodies in racing pigeons and pigeons from public parks is described. Several serological methods (complement fixation test, indirect microimmunofluorescence test, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were compared with bacteriological techniques (isolation both in embryonated eggs and McCoy cell monolayers). Tests confirmed that 28.6%, 33.5%, and 35.9% of the pigeons, respectively, were seropositive by the tests mentioned above. Chlamydiae were isolated from 13% of the fecal specimens in ovocultures and from 18% of the fecal specimens in cell cultures. No significant differences between the two groups of pigeons were found (at a 95% confidence level, alpha = 0.05) using the hypothesis test of the difference between proportions of two populations. The serological and bacteriological techniques used are compared and discussed.

[Electron microscopic studies of fimbriae and lectin phagocytosis of Salmonella typhimurium variety copenhagen (STMVC)]

On Salmonella typhimurium variatio copenhagen (STMVC) strains, isolated from pigeons with acute Salmonellosis, two types of fimbriae can be identified, depending on different growth conditions. In addition to the common 7 nm fimbriae we were able to demonstrate in the electron microscope, thin, curled fimbriae 3 nm in diameter which are characterized by a mannose-resistant hemagglutination. The simultaneous expression of both types of fimbriae on a single bacterial cell can be induced by transferring a microcolony from agar medium (3 nm fimbriae), to the surface of a nutrient broth (7 nm fimbriae) and continuing the incubation. One selected strain expresses only the thin fimbriae on nearly all the bacteria on an agar medium. These thin fimbriae seem to play a role in the lectinophagocytosis in macrophage cultures. The attachment of Salmonellae mediated by these fimbriae as well as the internalization of fimbriated cells by macrophages is shown in the electron microscope and discussed in respect to infection and immunization.

Serotyping of European isolates of Chlamydia psittaci from poultry and other birds

A panel of five serovar-specific monoclonal antibodies which distinguish the five known avian serovars of Chlamydia psittaci was used to serotype 45 European avian Chlamydia psittaci isolates. Chlamydial antigen was grown in Buffalo green monkey (BGM) cells or in embryonated chicken eggs and was then inoculated into BGM cells. Serotyping was performed in an indirect immunofluorescence test. The 45 European isolates included 22 isolates from the order Psittaciformes, 9 isolates from the order Columbiformes, 6 isolates from the order Galliformes, 5 isolates from the order Passeriformes, and 3 isolates from the order Anseriformes. All of these were successfully serotyped. No additional serovars were found. One isolate from a duck and two isolates from psittacine birds gave positive immunofluorescences with two monoclonal antibodies considered to be specific for two different serovars. These three isolates were cloned by an agar overlay method. Serotyping of the clones demonstrated that the duck and one psittacine bird each were infected with two different serovars. After cloning, one isolate from a psittacine bird reacted only with serovar A. From these results it was concluded that this serotyping system allows the classification of all isolates tested so far. The results show that similar serovars are prevalent in avian species in Europe and the United States. The results also indicate that birds from a certain order are more susceptible to a distinct serovar. The use of a panel of serovar-specific monoclonal antibodies in the immunofluorescence test provides a reliable method for serotyping avian isolates. Monoclonal antibodies to new avian isolate serovars can easily be added to the panel, which makes the system useful for epidemiological studies.

Intranuclear inclusions of unknown pathogenic significance from diagnostic cases in three avian species

Intranuclear inclusions were observed with light microscopy in tissues from necropsy cases from three different species of birds. Because of the nature of these inclusions, the species affected, or their distribution, the inclusions were considered of unknown pathogenic significance. The inclusions were examined ultrastructurally. Parvovirus-like particles were observed in the intranuclear inclusions of pigeon hepatocytes and duodenal stromal cells from a quail. Finely granular eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies from two unrelated pigeon cases were found to be composed of loosely organized filaments. One liver sample from a 16-week-old laying chicken had prominent eosinophilic hepatocellular intranuclear inclusions composed of electron-dense coarsely granular amorphous material.

Cryptococcus albidus isolated from pigeon excreta in Taiwan

Cryptococcus albidus (Saito) Skinner, found frequently in the air of El-Minia, Egypt; in New Zealand and Budapest, and isolated occasionally from clinical specimens, has now been recognized as the cause of human diseases. Since isolation of this fungus from pigeon droppings has not previously been reported, this first paper reports results of its drug-susceptibility testing to gentamicin and 5-fluorocytosine, as well as its fungal cell antigenic cross reactivity with C. neoformans as detected by a Latex-Crypto-Antigen Detection System (LCAS).

Isolation and characterisation of Newcastle disease virus strain in a feral dove (Stigmatopelia senegalensis) in Nigeria

An isolate of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was obtained from a feral dove, (Stigmatopelia senegalensis). The isolate was shown to have a mean-death-time of 96 h and an intracerebral pathogenicity index of 0.10. It was immunogenic but not pathogenic for 6-week old chicks on experimental infection. Based on these observations the isolate was classified as a lentogenic strain. The role of such isolates of NDV from wild birds on the Nigerian poultry industry is discussed.

Experimental Streptococcus bovis infections in pigeons

Thirty pigeons were experimentally infected with Streptococcus bovis using an intravenous infection model. Ninety percent of the inoculated pigeons developed clinical disease. Disease signs included acute death, inability to fly, lameness, inappetence, emaciation, polyuria, and the production of slimy, green droppings. At necropsy, the septicemic character of the disease was evident. Typical lesions included extensive well-circumscribed areas of necrosis in the pectoral muscle, tenosynovitis of the tendon of the Musculus pectoralis profundus, and arthritis of the stifle, tibiotarsal, or shoulder joints. Focal myocardial necrosis also was seen. Meningitis and encephalitis occurred in the cerebrum and the cerebellum. Disease signs and lesions described here after experimental infection were similar to those in naturally occurring cases of S. bovis septicemia.

Disseminated Aspergillus terreus infection in a caged pigeon

Disseminated aspergillosis due to Aspergillus terreus was diagnosed in a young pigeon kept by a bird fancier. The fungus was isolated in heavy growth from the infected tissues on Sabouraud medium at 37 degrees C. Microscopic examination of the squeeze preparation of the air sacs revealed the presence of typical conidiophores of an Aspergillus sp. Histologically, branched, septate hyphae morphologically indistinguishable from Aspergillus were detected in the air sacs and lungs. The clinical, mycological and pathological findings are discussed. The role of A. terreus as an opportunistic pathogen should be studied in various clinical conditions of mammals and avians.

Biochemical and antigenic properties of Streptococcus bovis isolated from pigeons

Biochemical and serological properties of 60 strains of Streptococcus bovis isolated from healthy pigeons and from pigeons that died from S. bovis septicemia were determined. On the basis of the hemolysis of bovine erythrocytes, the production of polysaccharides on saccharose-containing media, and the fermentation of mannitol, inulin, trehalose, and L-arabinose, the isolates were classified in five biotypes and two subbiotypes. Slide agglutination and microagglutination tests using monospecific rabbit antisera allowed the classification of all isolates in five serotypes.

Rotavirus 993/83, isolated from calf faeces, closely resembles an avian rotavirus

Polypeptides from purified virions of the calf rotavirus (RV) isolate 993/83 and those from the pigeon RV isolate PO-13 comigrated on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Two polypeptides of 45K and 47K were detected at the position of VP6. Both proteins behaved like authentic VP6 protein with EDTA and heat treatment. RV 993/83 and PO-13 showed identical one-dimensional peptide maps for VP2, and the 45K and 47K proteins. More than 70% of sera from German cattle older than 1 year showed neutralizing serum antibodies to RV 993/83 and RV PO-13.

Adhesion of Salmonella typhimurium var. copenhagen in the intestines of pigeons

The attachment of Salmonella typhimurium var. copenhagen to the intestinal epithelium of pigeons was studied. After experimental infection, the intestines of both young and adult pigeons were examined in vivo and in vitro. Investigations were carried out by electron and immunofluorescence microscopy. Attachment of the Salmonella strain to duodenal epithelium was established. Following repeated washing after inoculation, bacterial cells could be seen by SEM and TEM in association with the surface structure of the tissue. The adhesive properties of fimbriae, which are also involved in haemagglutination, could be demonstrated.

[An urease negative Cryptococcus neoformans]

We report an urease negative Cryptococcus neoformans derived from pigeon dropping. This isolate produced brown pigmented colonies on cornmeal Tween-80 agar with 300 micrograms/ml caffeic acid, but was failure to hydrolyze urea. More identification tests were performed for this isolate, such as assimilation and fermentation of carbohydrates, nitrate assimilation, production of starch like compound, growth on GCP medium, germ tube formation and inoculation of mice, ect. Most of the results showed that the microbiological characteristics of the isolate were typical of C. neoformans except for negative urease test. Even though there has been a report about an urease negative C. neoformans derived from an AIDS patient, but we have never found any report about isolation from pigeon dropping or nature environment. We should pay attention to the exist of this atypical strain of C. neoformans in nature environment and the possibility of infection to human being. Additionally, we also be aware of the possibility of neglect when this urease negative C. neoformans is identified with urease test.

Pigeons and peritonitis?

We report an outbreak of fungal peritonitis due to Candida parapsilosis in 12 patients undergoing chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). All 12 patients were treated by removal of the CAPD catheter together with systemic antifungal therapy. There were no peritonitis-related deaths. Four patients were successfully returned to CAPD at a later date. Microbiological investigation during the outbreak demonstrated colonization of various areas of the CAPD Unit and medical ward with the organism. C. parapsilosis was also isolated from pigeon guano obtained from window-sills. The number of cases of peritonitis due to this organism decreased markedly after bird-proof netting was installed. We believe that this is the first report of an outbreak of CAPD peritonitis due to faecal carriage of C. parapsilosis by pigeons.

Evaluation of domestic pigeons as sentinels for detecting arbovirus activity in southern California

Flocks of sentinel domestic pigeons (Columbia livia) detected increases in St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) and western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus activity in southern California concurrently with flocks of sentinel chickens. However, occasional low-titered, transient seroconversions to both WEE and SLE viruses also occurred in pigeons during periods when virus activity was not detected by seroconversions in sentinel chickens, by virus isolation from Culex mosquitoes, or by human disease. Moreover, SLE virus seroconversions detected in pigeons by a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test frequently could not be confirmed either by a plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT) on the same sera, or by an HI test on the next monthly serum sample from the same bird. Experimental infection studies, in which pigeons were inoculated subcutaneously with SLE (SOUE 16-84) virus, confirmed that pigeons developed low-titered and transient HI antibodies that were detectable infrequently by PRNT. In contrast, experimental infection with WEE (BFS 1703) virus produced elevated antibody responses that were detectable by HI for 8-12 weeks and by PRNT for at least 25 weeks. Pigeons infected with SLE virus rarely developed detectable viremias, whereas most birds infected with WEE virus developed viremias on postinfection day 1 that persisted for two or three days. Host-preference studies indicated that pigeons were less attractive as bait in lard can traps to host-seeking Culex mosquitoes than were chickens, and that blood-engorged Culex females collected near sentinel locations fed more frequently upon galliform than columbiform birds. Collectively, these results indicated that sentinel pigeons would not provide an adequate replacement for sentinel chickens to monitor WEE or SLE viruses, and would be a dead-end host for SLE virus.

Characterization of Newcastle disease viruses isolated from pigeons in Italy

The authors report the results of characterization studies of three strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) (two isolated from pigeons and one from chickens). The plaque cloning of the viruses, showed that each NDV strain consists of different clones of genetically mixed viral populations. The pigeon NDV isolates were classified as lentogenic using mean death time (MDT) determination; while the intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) was the same as the velogenic NDV strain.

Characterization of an avian rotavirus strain by neutralization and molecular hybridization assays

Pigeon rotavirus strain PO-13, which was recently shown to be neutralized by a hyperimmune serum to the prototype serotype 7 virus Ch-2, showed a one-way neutralization cross with turkey rotavirus Ty-1. When its genome was compared by RNA-RNA hybridization under stringent conditions with those of avian and mammalian rotaviruses, PO-13 displayed a low to medium level of homology only with turkey rotavirus strains Ty-1 and Ty-3 but not with chicken rotavirus strain Ch-1. Furthermore, no homology was found between the PO-13 probe and genomic RNA from 11 rotavirus strains which originated from 6 different mammalian species and which represented 6 major mammalian serotypes (1-6).

Evaluation of relationships between avian paramyxoviruses isolated from birds of the family Columbidae

The prototype virus for the PMV-7 serotype of avian paramyxoviruses, PMV-7 dove Tennessee/4/75 (Tn 4) and five other isolates obtained from birds of the Columbidae family, which had been shown to be distinct from PMV-1 serotype, were tested for antigenic relationships between themselves and to other avian paramyxoviruses. By serological tests and analysis of structural polypeptides the viruses appeared to be distinct from other avian paramyxoviruses. One isolate appeared to be very closely related to Tn/4. Three other isolates showed only minor relationships to these two but were very closely related to each other. However, the sixth virus, pigeon Japan/Otaru/76, showed high levels of homology in haemagglutination inhibition tests and at least one line of identity in immunodoublediffusion tests with all five of the other isolates.

On the importance of bacterial L-forms in pigeons

Following a definition of bacterial L-forms and a literature review on introduction and reversion of bacteria to and from L-forms, respectively, the results of a study comprising 587 samples (316 pigeons and 271 pigeon eggs) are reported. As a control 25 free living pigeons and 25 eggs of those pigeons were used, because antibiotic treatment of these could be excluded. From 79 samples (75 pigeons and 4 eggs) Salmonella typhimurium var. copenhagen (STMC) was isolated (none from the urban pigeons), of them 11 in the L-form from joints and organs and 3 from eggs. 325 of other bacterial isolates were found as L-forms (= approx. 40%). Out of 168 serum samples investigated, 33.9% showed antibodies against STMC. Corresponding antibodies could only be demonstrated in 73.4% of the pigeons with a STMC isolate. The occurrence of L-forms explains resistance to therapy and the failure of vaccines. The high frequency of L-forms is probably an indication of an inconsequential use of antibiotics in managing pigeon diseases.

Enterococcus columbae, a species from pigeon intestines

Gram-positive cocci which dominate in the intestinal flora of domestic pigeons were found to constitute a new species of the genus Enterococcus. The strains were most closely related to Enterococcus cecorum, originally described as Streptococcus cecorum, a carboxyphilic species from chicken intestines, and to Enterococcus avium. The pigeon strains resemble E. cecorum and also many E. avium strains in their lack of group D antigen and in being more sensitive to NaCl than other enterococci. The type strain is strain STR 345 (= NCIMB 13013).

Observations on bacteria associated with pigeon crop

Lactobacilli, streptococci and coliforms of pigeon crop contents, 5th wash, macerate and those of first-day pigeon milk have been studied. Streptococci predominated in all the samples tested. Relatively higher counts of lactobacilli and streptococci in crop macerate than in the 5th wash suggested the adhesion of these bacteria to crop wall. Because of frequent occurrence in crop of partially digested fibrous food, its contents were tested for the presence of cellulolytic bacteria. The results indicated that four isolates were capable of utilizing cellulose with the resultant production of reducing sugars. It is inferred that the crop microflora is involved in the degradation of dietary fibre in the pigeon.

Avian adenovirus isolated from pigeons affected with inclusion body hepatitis

Avian adenoviruses were isolated from two pigeons affected with inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) by using chicken embryo liver cell cultures. One of the isolates, designated strain S-PL1, replicated in the cell nuclei forming intranuclear inclusion bodies, showed adenovirus-like morphology by electron microscopy, and cross-reacted serologically with strain SR-48 known as serotype 2 of fowl adenovirus. The strain S-PL1 killed day-old chicks by subcutaneous inoculation, and its 50% chicken lethal dose was 10(3.8) plaque forming units per bird. Severe lesions characterized with IBH and pancreatitis, were produced in chicks inoculated with the virus. Intranuclear inclusion bodies were also recognized in the liver, pancreas, kidney, proventriculus, small intestine, and caecum. By indirect immunofluorescence test, intranuclear viral antigens were detected in the liver, pancreas and other tissues.

[Wild domestic pigeons--a public health problem of increasing significance in East Germany]

In many cities of the GDR the number of wild house pigeons is increasing. Because of their distribution, noxious effects and hygienic importance they are considered by law as health pests. Therefore, their populations have to be regulated in such a way to minimize the noxious effects caused by them. The State Hygiene inspectorate is responsible for organization and surveillance of health pest control. At present in the GDR two procedures are allowed applying chemical substance for pest control by specialists. A catching procedure, applicable everywhere, is well proving a success. By restauration of old buildings and closing of lofts in new ones it is possible to take prophylactic measures against the increasing number of pigeons. The municipal administration should coordinate the possible measures in the respective territory.

[Presence of pathogenic yeasts in the feces of the semi-domesticated pigeon (Columba livia, Gmelin 1789, urban type) from the city of Turin]

The results of a survey on the presence of pathogenic yeasts in pigeon droppings collected in Turin, are shown. The study was carried out in 8 densely populated areas, where human-animal contact is highest. A total of 427 pigeon dropping samples, most of which fresh, were collected. 550 yeast colonies, clinically interesting or at least pathologically significant, were isolated by the identification routine methods. The yeasts belong to the following species: Candida albicans, C. humicola, C. krusei, C. guillermondii, C. lypolitica, C. lambica, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. rugosa, C. zeylanoides, Cryptococcus albidus, C. laurentii, C. neoformans, Hansenula anomala, Geotrichum sp., Kloekera apiculata, Rhodotorula glutinis, R. rubra, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Torulopsis candida, T. glabrata, Trichosporon beigelii, T. capitatum, T. cutaneum, T. pullulans.

[Distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans in pigeon feces]

C neoformans has been investigated in fecal droppings obtained from pigeon coops that placed in several suburbs of Bursa City. In sixteen of the 115 samples (13.9%), C neoformans strains has been isolated and studied their morphological and biochemical properties. But no isolation has been obtained from 8 soil samples and 14 samples of chicken dung.

Evaluation of mouse monoclonal antibodies raised against an isolate of the variant avian paramyxovirus type 1 responsible for the current panzootic in pigeons

Nine monoclonal antibodies raised against "pigeon variant" avian paramyxovirus type 1 isolate pigeon/England/617/83 were tested for their ability to react with "classical" and other "pigeon variant" isolates. Two of the monoclonal antibodies appeared to be specific for 617/83 reacting with no other virus. The remaining seven monoclonal antibodies bound to cells infected with all other "pigeon" isolates in indirect immunoperoxidase (IIP) tests but four distinct groups of other PMV-1 viruses were formed on the basis of the binding patterns. One of the monoclonal antibodies 161/617 caused haemagglutination inhibition (HI) of all the "pigeon" isolates tested but none of the other PMV-1 viruses and these results reflected the IIP results with this monoclonal antibody. 161/617 was also shown to inhibit viruses of the avian paramyxovirus type 3 serogroup in HI tests. This reaction and the ability to bind to infected cells in IIP tests appeared to be restricted to PMV-3 viruses isolated from exotic birds and did not occur with viruses of ostensively the same serotype from turkeys.

Avian paramyxovirus type 1 infection in pigeons: recent changes in clinical observations

Since its first appearance in 1984, avian paramyxovirus type 1 has remained an enzootic disease in racing pigeons on Long Island, New York. The clinical presentation of the disease in the autumn of 1987 suggests a decrease in the severity and incidence of neurological signs, with the chief complaint being watery droppings accompanied by poor racing performance. Diagnosis is based upon serology, using hemagglutination-inhibition tests with Newcastle disease or paramyxovirus type 1 virus.

Isolation and characterization of rotavirus from feral pigeon in mammalian cell cultures

Avian rotaviruses were isolated from feral pigeon faeces treated with trypsin using roller tube cultures of mammalian cells. Two pigeon strains, designated as strains PO-8 and PO-13, produced a marked cytopathic effect (CPE), small intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies and high titres of infectious particles in infected MA-104 and MDBK cell lines without cell adaptation and roller drum apparatus. The pigeon rotaviruses shared a common group specific antigen with the Lincoln strain of bovine rotavirus by indirect immunofluorescence, but differed from both the Lincoln strain and the Wa strain of human rotavirus in neutralization tests. The RNA segment profile of this virus on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis differed from that of group A mammalian rotaviruses. The results of a serological survey suggested that antibody to pigeon rotaviruses was widespread in avian species in Japan.

Immunotyping of Chlamydia psittaci by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test with monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies against pigeon and budgerigar strains of Chlamydia psittaci were used to classify the immunotypes of C. psittaci strains by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) test. Thirty-three C. psittaci strains from pigeons and 24 from budgerigars were divided into three immunotypes (P-I, P-II, and P-III) and (B-I, B-II, and B-III), respectively. Two strains from human psittacosis patients were identified as P-III and B-I, coinciding with the epidemiological evidence of each human infection. Two strains from psittacine birds, a parrot and a parakeet, were identical to the B-II immunotype. Other mammalian strains were quite distinct from avian strains in their IFA reaction with the monoclonal antibodies.

The isolation of a paramyxovirus from pigeons in South Africa

A paramyxovirus was isolated from diseased pigeons, submitted to the Poultry Section of the Veterinary Research Institute, Onderstepoort, for post-mortem examination. The mean death time for the isolates was determined to ascertain the virulence of the virus. Infectivity trials showed that the paramyxovirus was non-virulent for 60- and 4-week-old chickens infected by the intraocular and intratracheal routes.

Amphotropic proviral envelope sequences are absent from the Mus germ line

We derived an amphotropic murine leukemia virus (MuLV) type-specific probe for use in Southern blot hybridizations with cloned and genomic DNAs. A 133-base-pair RsaI-RsaI fragment from the 5' env region of the amphotropic viral isolate 4070A was subcloned into M13mp18 and radiolabeled in vitro. The probe detected the proviral DNAs in mink cells infected with seven different amphotropic MuLV isolates. The probe did not cross hybridize with the DNAs of molecular clones of ecotropic, mink cell focus-forming, or xenotropic MuLVs; nor did it anneal to the proviral DNAs of four xenotropic or six mink cell focus-forming viral isolates grown in mink cells. DNAs of 12 inbred laboratory mouse strains and more than 15 different wild mouse species and subspecies were examined for the presence of endogenous amphotropic env-related fragments. Amphotropic env-related sequences were found only in the DNAs of wild mice trapped in southern California in an area previously shown to harbor mice producing infectious amphotropic virus. Restriction enzyme analyses of DNAs from these mice showed that amphotropic sequences were not present as germ line copies but were the result of congenital or horizontal infection or both in this population. The DNAs of 11 various mammalian and avian species, including both natural predators of mice and squabs from the farms with virus-positive mice, lacked amphotropic envelope-related sequences.

[Virus excretion and changes in virulence of type 1 paramyxovirus of pigeons following passage through chickens]

Paramyxovirus type 1 of pigeons (strain PMV1-D) was transmitted by sequential contact over nine groups of SPF chicks. The first and last (9th) passages were made in 12-day-old SPF chicks, whereas the others were made in day-old chicks. Mortality was much higher in the last passage group than it was in the first group. None of the day-old chicks survived the PMV1-D infection. Increased virulence of PMV1-D for chickens following passages was also found to be present by the virus characterisation indexes, the EID50, the ICPI and the IVPI in particular.

Characterization of Newcastle disease virus (avian paramyxovirus-1) isolated from pigeons

Newcastle disease virus (avian paramyxovirus-1) was isolated from pigeons in 12 states between May 1984 and December 1985. One of the isolates was from a feral pigeon; the remainder were from privately owned pigeon lofts. Use of monoclonal antibodies showed seven of the eight isolates tested to be indistinguishable from the 1982 and 1983 Great Britain and European isolates. Clinical signs were paralysis, torticollis, tremors, incoordination, and death. Pigeons inoculated with the paramyxovirus-1 isolates intravenously or intramuscularly developed clinical disease identical to that described for natural infection; however, only one pigeon inoculated intranasally developed clinical signs. The mean death time for inoculated pigeons was 9.5 days, with a range of 4 to 25. Virus was shed for up to 20 days. Primary lesions observed on necropsy were gastroenterocolitis and pancreatic necrosis. Chickens experimentally infected by the cloacal, intranasal, or caudal thoracic air-sac route remained healthy. However, the intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) in day-old chickens was similar to that observed with velogenic Newcastle disease virus isolates. Four of six isolates inoculated intravenously into 6-week-old chickens induced neurotropic disease.

Monoclonal antibodies against Chlamydia psittaci

Five monoclonal antibodies were prepared against Chlamydia (C.) psittaci strain Pigeon-1041 isolated from a feral pigeon in Sapporo. Reactions of these antibodies to chlamydiae were examined using five strains of C. psittaci and two strains of C. trachomatis in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, microimmunofluorescent test and complement fixation test. The antibodies were divided into two groups: three genus-specific (A2, D2, and I21) and two strain-specific (F2 and H9) antibodies. The antigenic determinant site of A2 was KIO4 sensitive, but those of D2, F2, and H9 were not affected greatly by KIO4 treatment. Nine C. psittaci strains from feral pigeons and 16 strains from budgerigars were classified into three groups and four groups, respectively, by reaction patterns against the monoclonal antibodies.

Antigenic and biological characterization of avian paramyxovirus type 1 isolates from pigeons

21 A/PMV-1 viruses were isolated from pigeons and characterized using polyclonal and monoclonal antisera in hemagglutination inhibition, seroneutralization and immunoprecipitation studies. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies directed against the HN and F proteins of Italien virus reacted with all pigeon isolates showing a close relationship between chicken velogenic and pigeon viruses. Differences in the M.W. of F0, P and M proteins were however observed between pigeon and chicken Italien virus. Marked differences in virulence were recorded among pigeon isolates; these were reflected by great variation in the IVPI of the different strains.

An outbreak of encephalitis in pigeons (Columba livia) in the Canary Islands (Spain)

An encephalitic disease in pigeons, characterized by paralysis of extremities, torticollis, head tremor, and diarrhea, is described. The negative titers in the hemagglutination tests, the presence of Feulgen-positive intranuclear inclusions in the cells of the granular layer of the cerebellum and the fibroblast culture, and the presence of viral particles with an icosahedral-herpetic morphology and a diameter of 100-170 nm all indicate that the etiology of this outbreak may be related to the encephalitis caused by herpesvirus, at present diagnosed only in Iraq and some African countries.

Pigeon herpesvirus: inclusion body hepatitis in a free-ranging pigeon

An adult male pigeon (Columba livia) was presented to the Wildlife Service at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine for depression, cachexia, and diarrhea. Five days after the initial presentation, the bird died and was necropsied. Gross lesions included opaque air sacs and multiple 1-mm yellow-white foci on the epicardial surface of the heart. Histopathologic lesions included a pericarditis, epicarditis, and multifocal hepatic necrosis accompanied by eosinophilic inclusion bodies. Ultrastructural examination of the hepatic inclusions revealed viral particles consistent with a herpesvirus. The gross, light microscopic, and electron microscopic findings are consistent with pigeon herpesvirus infection.