| Description:
|
Paramyxoviruses (PMV’s)
are enveloped, single-stranded RNA viruses with a helical
capsid, that belong to the viral family Paramyxoviridae.
This viral family contains 9 serologically distinguishable
members, four of which are known to cause disease in
caged birds (PMV-1, PMV-2, PMV-3, PMV-5). Different
strains of paramyxovirus vary widely in their virulence
and tissue specificity. For example, infection with
PMV-2 is often unapparent, although some studies report
rare respiratory infection in psittacine birds. PMV-3
is believed to have worldwide distribution and affects
several psittacine species, particularly Neophema spp..
In these birds, the virus may cause a chronic pancreatitis
ultimately resulting in pancreatic insufficiency. In
other species, PMV-3 infection causes non-specific signs
followed by central nervous system disease. PMV-5 infection
is rare and was first reported in budgeriagar aviaries
in Japan. Unlike the other PMV’s, PMV-5 may not
be able to agglutinate red blood cells.
Viruses of the family Paramyxoviridae have also been
shown to cause CNS infections in domestic and large
exotic felines, although none of the viruses in this
group are known to be primarily feline viruses. |
| Diagnosis: |
Diagnosis for avian paramyxovirus
infection often relies on histopathological analysis,
however this process can be time consuming and costly.
A highly sensitive PCR-based assay for the paramyxovirus
is now available, which can accurately detect the presence
of paramyxovirus infection in a timely and efficient
manner. |
