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Metagenomic detection and characterisation of multiple viruses in apparently healthy Australian Neophema birds. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20915. [PMID: 34686748 PMCID: PMC8536680 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00440-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging viral pathogens are a significant concern, with potential consequences for human, animal and environmental health. Over the past several decades, many novel viruses have been found in animals, including birds, and often pose a significant threat to vulnerable species. However, despite enormous interest in virus research, little is known about virus communities (viromes) in Australian Neophema birds. Therefore, this study was designed to characterise the viromes of Neophema birds and track the evolutionary relationships of recently emerging psittacine siadenovirus F (PsSiAdV-F) circulating in the critically endangered, orange-bellied parrot (OBP, Neophema chrysogaster), using a viral metagenomic approach. This study identified 16 viruses belonging to the families Adenoviridae, Circoviridae, Endornaviridae, Picobirnaviridae and Picornaviridae. In addition, this study demonstrated a potential evolutionary relationship of a PsSiAdV-F sequenced previously from the critically endangered OBP. Strikingly, five adenoviral contigs identified in this study show the highest identities with human adenovirus 2 and human mastadenovirus C. This highlights an important and unexpected aspects of the avian virome and warrants further studies dedicated to this subject. Finally, the findings of this study emphasise the importance of testing birds used for trade or in experimental settings for potential pathogens to prevent the spread of infections.
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Sutherland M, Sarker S, Vaz PK, Legione AR, Devlin JM, Macwhirter PL, Whiteley PL, Raidal SR. Disease surveillance in wild Victorian cacatuids reveals co-infection with multiple agents and detection of novel avian viruses. Vet Microbiol 2019; 235:257-264. [PMID: 31383310 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Wild birds are known reservoirs of bacterial and viral pathogens, some of which have zoonotic potential. This poses a risk to both avian and human health, since spillover into domestic bird populations may occur. In Victoria, wild-caught cockatoos trapped under licence routinely enter commercial trade. The circovirus Beak and Feather Disease Virus (BFDV), herpesviruses, adenoviruses and Chlamydia psittaci have been identified as significant pathogens of parrots globally, with impacts on both aviculture and the conservation efforts of endangered species. In this study, we describe the results of surveillance for psittacid herpesviruses (PsHVs), psittacine adenovirus (PsAdV), BFDV and C. psittaci in wild cacatuids in Victoria, Australia. Samples were collected from 55 birds of four species, and tested using genus or family-wide polymerase chain reaction methods coupled with sequencing and phylogenetic analyses for detection and identification of known and novel pathogens. There were no clinically observed signs of illness in most of the live birds in this study (96.3%; n = 53). Beak and Feather Disease Virus was detected with a prevalence of 69.6% (95% CI 55.2-80.9). Low prevalences of PsHV (1.81%; 95% CI 0.3-9.6), PsAdV (1.81%; 95% CI 0.3-9.6), and C. psittaci (1.81%; 95% CI 0.3-9.6) was detected. Importantly, a novel avian alphaherpesvirus and a novel avian adenovirus were detected in a little corella (Cacatua sanguinea) co-infected with BFDV and C. psittaci. The presence of multiple potential pathogens detected in a single bird presents an example of the ease with which such infectious agents may enter the pet trade and how novel viruses circulating in wild populations have the potential for transmission into captive birds. Genomic identification of previously undescribed avian viruses is important to further our understanding of their epidemiology, facilitating management of biosecurity aspects of the domestic and international bird trade, and conservation efforts of vulnerable species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Sutherland
- Burwood Bird and Animal Hospital, 128 Highbury Rd, Burwood, Vic 3125, Australia.
| | - Subir Sarker
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic 3086, Australia; School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
| | - Paola K Vaz
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia.
| | - Alistair R Legione
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia.
| | - Joanne M Devlin
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia.
| | - Patricia L Macwhirter
- Greencross Vets Springvale, 570 Springvale Rd, Springvale South, Vic 3172, Australia.
| | - Pamela L Whiteley
- Wildlife Health Victoria: Surveillance, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic 3030, Australia.
| | - Shane R Raidal
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
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Avian viral surveillance in Victoria, Australia, and detection of two novel avian herpesviruses. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194457. [PMID: 29570719 PMCID: PMC5865735 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses in avian hosts can pose threats to avian health and some have zoonotic potential. Hospitals that provide veterinary care for avian patients may serve as a site of exposure of other birds and human staff in the facility to these viruses. They can also provide a useful location to collect samples from avian patients in order to examine the viruses present in wild birds. This study aimed to investigate viruses of biosecurity and/or zoonotic significance in Australian birds by screening samples collected from 409 birds presented to the Australian Wildlife Health Centre at Zoos Victoria’s Healesville Sanctuary for veterinary care between December 2014 and December 2015. Samples were tested for avian influenza viruses, herpesviruses, paramyxoviruses and coronaviruses, using genus- or family-wide polymerase chain reaction methods coupled with sequencing and phylogenetic analyses for detection and identification of both known and novel viruses. A very low prevalence of viruses was detected. Columbid alphaherpesvirus 1 was detected from a powerful owl (Ninox strenua) with inclusion body hepatitis, and an avian paramyxovirus most similar to Avian avulavirus 5 was detected from a musk lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna). Two distinct novel avian alphaherpesviruses were detected in samples from a sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) and a tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides). Avian influenza viruses and avian coronaviruses were not detected. The clinical significance of the newly detected viruses remains undetermined. Further studies are needed to assess the host specificity, epidemiology, pathogenicity and host-pathogen relationships of these novel viruses. Further genome characterization is also indicated, and would be required before these viruses can be formally classified taxonomically. The detection of these viruses contributes to our knowledge on avian virodiversity. The low level of avian virus detection, and the absence of any viruses with zoonotic potential, suggests low risk to biosecurity and human health.
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Molecular Characterization of a Beak and Feather Disease Virus Genome from a Purple Crowned Lorikeet (Glossopsitta porphyrocephala). GENOME ANNOUNCEMENTS 2016; 4:4/5/e01102-16. [PMID: 27795264 PMCID: PMC5054333 DOI: 10.1128/genomea.01102-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The complete genome sequence of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) from a purple crowned lorikeet (Glossopsitta porphyrocephala) was characterized. The genome consists of 2,010 nucleotides and encodes replicase-associated protein and capsid protein. This is the first evidence of BFDV infectivity and complete genome sequence for this novel host.
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Hulbert CL, Chamings A, Hewson KA, Steer PA, Gosbell M, Noormohammadi AH. Survey of captive parrot populations around Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia, for psittacine beak and feather disease virus, avian polyomavirus and psittacine adenovirus. Aust Vet J 2015. [PMID: 26220322 DOI: 10.1111/avj.12350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated the prevalence of psittacine beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), avian polyomavirus (APV) and psittacine adenovirus (PsAdV) in captive psittacine birds around Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. METHODS Samples of fresh droppings were collected from 118 psittacine birds (109 clinically normal and 9 with feather abnormalities) from 11 avaries in different locations and were used for detection of BFDV, APV and PsAdV using PCR. RESULTS BFDV, APV and PsAdV were detected in 31%, 13% and 4%, respectively, of the specimens tested. One budgerigar was found to be co-infected with BFDV and PsAdV. At least one sample tested positive for BFDV at each location. CONCLUSION This is the first report of the prevalence of BFDV, APV and PsAdV in Victoria and provides a foundation for future studies examining the influence of these viruses on the health of aviary birds in Victoria.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Hulbert
- Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia. .,Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia.
| | - A Chamings
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia
| | - K A Hewson
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia
| | - P A Steer
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia
| | - M Gosbell
- Greencross Springvale Animal Hospital, Springvale South, VIC, Australia
| | - A H Noormohammadi
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia
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EVIDENCE OF PSITTACINE BEAK AND FEATHER DISEASE VIRUS SPILLOVER INTO WILD CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ORANGE-BELLIED PARROTS (NEOPHEMA CHRYSOGASTER). J Wildl Dis 2014; 50:288-96. [DOI: 10.7589/2013-05-121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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