Detection and phylogenetic analysis of parrot bornavirus 4 identified from a Swedish Blue-winged macaw (Primolius maracana) with unusual nonsuppurative myositis

ABSTRACT

Background: The genus Orthobornavirus comprises RNA viruses infecting humans, mammals, birds and reptiles, where parrot bornavirus 1 to 8 causes fatal neurological and/or gastrointestinal syndromes in psittacines. There is, to the best of our knowledge, no publication describing avian bornaviruses in pet parrots in Sweden. We aimed to identify and to produce epidemiologic knowledge about the etiologic agent associated with a history of severe weight loss and death of a Primolius maracana.Methods and results: The results of histopathology, immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR were compatible with avian bornavirus infection. Sequencing indicated infection by parrot bornavirus 4 (PaBV-4). The genotype reported shared high identity with PaBV-4 identified from pet psittacines and from wild birds in several countries. The N gene and X protein showed genotype clusters formation. P protein revealed to be more conserved within and between species of bornaviruses. Findings suggest horizontal transmission within and between avian orders and species.Conclusion: There seems to be a worldwide trading without biosafety measures, hence, further disease transmission could be avoided. For screening purposes, the P gene is a good candidate as a universal target in molecular diagnostics. Wild birds may be key pieces in the puzzle of bornavirus epidemiology.

KEYWORDS:

• Avian bornaviruses
• bornaviruses
• Parrot bornavirus 4 (PaBV-4)
• proventricular dilatation disease (PDD)
• psittacines

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Eva Westergren for the technical assistance with histologic procedures at the Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Sveland Foundation for Animal Health and Welfare; and by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), I. P. - Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science under Grant SFRH/BD/91436/2012.

Notes on contributors

Marlene Cavaleiro Pinto

Marlene Cavaleiro Pinto received her bachelor degree in Microbiology at Faculty of Biotechnology, Portuguese Catholic University; and her MSc degree in Public Health at Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal. She is currently PhD student at the Laboratory of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Veterinary Clinics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Portugal.

Veronica Rondahl

Veronica Rondahl received her MSc degree in Biology at Umeå University, her MSc degree in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; and her PhD in Clinical Chemistry at Umeå University. She is currently Laboratory veterinarian and ECVP Resident at the Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.

Mikael Berg

Mikael Berg received his bachelor degree in Microbiology at Uppsala University, Sweden. He is specialized in Veterinary Virology, and obtained his PhD from Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. He is currently Professor in Veterinary Virology at the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Sweden.

Erik Ågren

Erik Ågren received his DVM at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. He is ECVP and ECZM (Wildlife population health) board certified, and currently deputy head of the Department of Pathology and Wildlife Diseases, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.

Júlio Carvalheira

Júlio Carvalheira received his bachelor degree in Veterinary Medicine at University of Eduardo Mondlane, in Mozambique; and his MSc and PhD degree in Animal Breeding at the Cornell University, USA. He is currently Professor at the Department of Population Studies, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto

Gertrude Thompson

Gertrude Thompson received her bachelor degree in Veterinary Medicine at University of Eduardo Mondlane, in Mozambique; and her PhD degree in Immunology at the Veterinary School, Cornell University, USA. She is currently Professor in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the Department of Veterinary Clinics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Portugal

Jonas Johansson Wensman

Jonas Johansson Wensman received his DVM and PhD from Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. Currently holds a position as researcher in Ruminant Medicine and Associate Professor in Veterinary Science with focus on Infectious Diseases at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.