Epizootiology, Diversity, and Pathogenicity of Psittacid Herpesviruses

摘要

There are 2 herpesviruses known to infect parrots, Psittacid herpesvirus 1 and 2 (PsHV 1 and PsHV 2). PsHV 1 causes Pacheco's disease and internal papillomas. It contains 4 genotypes. We propose that the PsHV 1 genotypes represent host-adapted virus variants and this explains their differing abilities to cause papillomas and Pacheco's disease. PsHV 2 is a newly described virus that is most commonly found in African grey parrots. It was detected in papillomas from 2 African grey parrots, but also fromAfrican grey parrots that did not have disease. The pathogenicity of this virus remains to be determined. Birds infected with PsHVs appear to be infected for life. Most are readily detected by polymerase chain reaction analysis of combined oral and cloacal swabs.