Abstract
In late summer 2010 a mosquito born flavivirus not previously reported in Europe called Bagaza virus (BAGV) caused high mortality in red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) and ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). We studied clinical findings, lesions and viral antigen distribution in naturally BAGV infected game birds in order to understand the apparently higher impact on red-legged partridges. The disease induced neurologic signs in the two galliform species and, to a lesser extent, in common wood pigeons (Columba palumbus). In red-legged partridges infection by BAGV caused severe haemosiderosis in the liver and spleen that was absent in pheasants and less evident in common wood pigeons. Also, BAGV antigen was present in vascular endothelium in multiple organs in red-legged partridges, and in the spleen in common wood pigeons, while in ring-necked pheasants it was only detected in neurons and glial cells in the brain. These findings indicate tropism of BAGV for endothelial cells and a severe haemolytic process in red-legged partridges in addition to the central nervous lesions that were found in all three species.
Highlights
In late summer 2010 an extremely high mortality was observed among game birds in southern Spain, especially in red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa), and in ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), that was determined to be due to a flavivirus not previously reported in Europe, Bagaza virus (BAGV) [1]
We compare these features among BAGV-infected red-legged partridges, ring-necked pheasants and common wood pigeons (Columba palumbus), in order to understand the pathogenesis of the disease and the reason for the extreme impact of the disease in
Pathology due to BAGV infection had previously not been described in any species as the presence of neutralizing antibodies against BAGV in persons with acute encephalitis in India, could not link the infection clearly to disease symptoms [11]
Summary
In late summer 2010 an extremely high mortality was observed among game birds in southern Spain, especially in red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa), and in ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), that was determined to be due to a flavivirus not previously reported in Europe, BAGV [1]. In the present study we review the main clinical findings, lesions and viral antigen distribution in wild birds naturally infected with BAGV. We compare these features among BAGV-infected red-legged partridges, ring-necked pheasants and common wood pigeons (Columba palumbus), in order to understand the pathogenesis of the disease and the reason for the extreme impact of the disease in
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