A110 - Pacheco's Disease virus

Description:

Pacheco's disease is caused by a herpesvirus. The disease is dreaded by aviculturalists because it is very devastating and often fatal. It was first recognized in Brazil when birds started dying several days after becoming ill. Macaws, Amazons, African Greys, Cockatoos, Budgies, Cockatiels and Conures are some of the species that can be infected. Patagonian and Nanday Conures are frequently asymptomatic carriers. Any bird that survives an outbreak should be considered a "latent" carrier of the virus. Infected birds may die suddenly or show nonspecific signs such as lethargy, anorexia, ruffled feathers, sinusitis and intermittent diarrhea. Urates may become green, indicating that liver damage has occurred. The first sign of a problem often occurs when a seemingly "healthy" carrier bird is introduced into a collection and birds start to die suddenly. Any type of stress (e.g., breeding) can activate the virus and result in its being shed in large numbers in the feces. The incubation period is thought to be as short as several days in some of the smaller parrots

Diagnosis:

PCR (DNA) test for Pacheco's Disease virus. The assay is so sensitive that even a single virus particle can be detected. Positive result confirms infection.

Sample:

1. Whole blood (0.2 ml) sample in EDTA tube.
2. Tissue (liver, spleen or kidney) in sterile container.
3. Swab of the fresh out surface of liver, spleen or kidney.
4. Paraffin-embedded tissue.

Special Handling:

Store blood and tissue samples at 4°C until pick up or shipment.

Test Code:

A110

1. Gravendyck et al. (1996) Antigenic diversity of psittacine herpesviruses: cluster analysis of antigenic differences obtained from cross-neutralization tests. Avian Pathol. 25:345-357.