Investigation of parrot bornaviruses (PaBVs) and proventricular dilation disease (PDD) in psittacine birds in Brazil

• Grant number: 18/11873-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2018
• End date: January 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Tânia de Freitas Raso
• Grantee: Jeann Leal de Araujo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Parrot bornaviruses (PaBVs) are enveloped, non-segmented, negative sense, single-stranded RNA viruses and the causative agents of proventricular dilatation disease (PDD), a lethal disease of captive psittacine birds worldwide. Neurotropism is a remarkable feature of PDD, which is reflected as a lymphoplasmacytic meningoencephalomyelitis and ganglioneuritis, particularly prominent in the enteric nervous system. The lesions can may give rise to neurological or gastrointestinal signs, of a combination of both. Although PDD has been described in Brazil, only four studies have been published on this topic and the status of this disease remains unclear in most part of the country. The current study aims to investigate the presence of PaBVs in samples from free-range and captive psittacine referred to the Laboratório de Ornitopatologia II at FMVZ-USP. Cloacal and oropharyngeal swabs will be collected from native psittacine birds, such as blue and gold macaws (Ara Ararauna), scarlet macaws (Ara macao), blue-fronted amazons (Amazona aestiva), and orange-winged amazons (Amazona amazonica), and also from exotic species such as umbrella cockatoos (Cacatua alba) and moluccan cockatoos (Cacatua moluccensis), originated from sanctuaries, breeding facilities, rehabilitation centers and exotic animal clinics. Samples will be teste by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting PaBVs matrix protein. Additionally, in eventual cases of death, necropsies of the psittacine birds will be conducted and samples from all organs will be collected and tested for PCR, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. We aim to clarify the distribution of PaBVs in psittacine birds and the importance of PDD for avian conservation in Brazil.