Abstract
The pathology of pigeon circovirus (PiCV) is still unknown, but it is regarded as an immunosuppressant. This study aimed to find a correlation between PiCV natural infection and immunosuppression. The study was conducted with 56 pigeons divided into the following groups: PiCV-positive but showing (group S) or not (group I) non-specific clinical symptoms and asymptomatic pigeons negative for PiCV (group H). The percentage and apoptosis of T CD3+ and B IgM+ splenocytes; the expression of CD4, CD8, and IFN-γ genes in splenic mononuclear cells; the number of PiCV viral loads in the bursa of Fabricius; and the level of anti-PiCV antibodies were analyzed. The results showed that the percentage of B IgM+ cells was almost two-fold lower in group S than in group H, and that ca. 20% of the lymphocytes were apoptotic. No increased apoptosis was detected in TCD3+ subpopulation. The PiCV viral loads were approximately one thousand and ten thousand times higher in group S than in groups I and H, respectively. Our results indicate a possible correlation between the number of PiCV viral loads and severity of PiCV infection and confirm that PiCV infection leads to the suppression of humoral immunity by inducing B lymphocyte apoptosis.
Highlights
One of the most significant infectious agents found in pigeons is the pigeon circovirus (PiCV), which belongs to the genus Circovirus and the family Circoviridae [1]
The recombination events often detected in pigeon circovirus genome could result from the procedures mentioned above [5,10,11]
One of the most significant infectious agents found in pigeons is the PiCVs
Summary
One of the most significant infectious agents found in pigeons is the pigeon circovirus (PiCV), which belongs to the genus Circovirus and the family Circoviridae [1]. PiCV is distributed worldwide with an average prevalence at ca. Asymptomatic infections with this virus are quite common and were noted in ca. 44% of domestic pigeons, on average, in Poland and in ca. The high PiCV prevalence results from the specifics of pigeon breeding and rearing system. Pigeon exhibitions, and “one loft race” breeding facilities could contribute to the rapid spread of PiCV infections in pigeon populations and to the production of recombinant variants of the virus, as has been noted for other avian circoviruses such as those infecting parrots [9]. The recombination events often detected in pigeon circovirus genome could result from the procedures mentioned above [5,10,11]
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