Abstract
BackgroundThe identity of herpesviruses isolated in Europe from domestic pigeons (Columbid herpesvirus-1 - CoHV-1) as well as falcons and owls remains unknown. All these herpesviruses are antigenically and genetically related. The falcons and owls are thought to have become infected during the ingestion of pigeon meat thus suggesting the virus’s capacity to infect a wide range of hosts. The aim of the conducted study was to detect the occurrence of CoHV-1 and estimating the similarities and differences in the DNA-dependent DNA polymerase gene of herpesviruses isolated from domestic pigeons, birds of prey and non-raptorial free-ranging birds in Poland.ResultsThe study has shown the presence of CoHV-1 in 20.4% (18/88) in the examined birds. In case of one CoHV-1, infected Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), neurological signs were observed. Nucleotide sequencing of the DNA-dependent DNA polymerase gene, showed a high similarity among Polish strains (100%), independently from the species of the affected birds. Only one compared CoHV-1 strain - KP 21/23 originating from Germany showed a slightly lower similarity at a level of 99.1%. Further analysis has shown the identity of DNA-dependent DNA polymerase of CoHV-1 strains and other herpesviruses present in poultry as well as other birds ranged from 35.4 to 44.9%. Interestingly CoHV-1 infection was also confirmed for the first time in four non-raptorial birds.ConclusionsThe current study has shown a high similarity of CoHV-1 strains and the possible transmission of herpesviruses between domestic rock pigeons and free-ranging birds including raptors and non-raptorial birds. Further studies focused on cloning and the analysis of the whole CoHV-1 genome which is needed to explain the role of the observed similarities and differences between field strains of columbid herpesviruses.
Highlights
The identity of herpesviruses isolated in Europe from domestic pigeons (Columbid herpesvirus-1 Columbid herpesvirus 1 (CoHV-1)) as well as falcons and owls remains unknown
Birds and samples In total 88 dead birds were submitted by practitioners or bird rehabilitation centres during 2011–2012 for monitoring West Nile Virus (WNV) at the Department of Poultry Diseases at National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI)
Birds and clinical signs The cause of death for 88 birds used in this study was unknown since they were collected by practitioners for the monitoring study on WNV
Summary
The identity of herpesviruses isolated in Europe from domestic pigeons (Columbid herpesvirus-1 CoHV-1) as well as falcons and owls remains unknown. All these herpesviruses are antigenically and genetically related. The aim of the conducted study was to detect the occurrence of CoHV-1 and estimating the similarities and differences in the DNA-dependent DNA polymerase gene of herpesviruses isolated from domestic pigeons, birds of prey and non-raptorial free-ranging birds in Poland. Herpesviruses of free-ranging birds fall into seven different species including herpesviruses of pigeons, falcons, vultures, owls and Psittacid herpesvirus (PsHV-1) affecting parrots [2,3,4,5,6]. In case of inclusion body hepatitis in falcons, the clinical signs are non-specific and may be manifested by weakness and anorexia. The study on CoHV-1 occurrence in free-ranging non-raptorial birds has not been previously described
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