The pathogenesis of proventricular dilatation disease

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Avian Pathology
• Virology

Background:

• Bornaviruses cause severe neurologic diseases in various bird species, notably parrots, waterfowl, and finches.
• A key manifestation is proventricular dilatation disease (PDD), characterized by enlarged proventriculus, digestive obstruction, and often fatal starvation.
• While PDD shares some features with mammalian bornaviral encephalitides, distinct clinical presentations exist.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review common virus-induced pathogenic pathways shared between avian PDD and mammalian bornaviral encephalitides.
• To explore plausible mechanisms underlying the extreme proventricular dilatation observed in PDD.
• To synthesize existing literature on gastroparesis in humans and gastric motility control in vertebrates.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of bornaviral diseases in birds and mammals.
• Analysis of pathogenic mechanisms in viral encephalitis and gastroparesis.
• Comparative review of gastric motility regulation in avian and mammalian species.

Main Results:

• Identified shared viral pathogenic pathways across the bornavirus disease spectrum.
• Highlighted potential mechanisms for PDD pathogenesis, including effects on gastric motility.
• Provided a comparative perspective on gastroparesis and proventricular dilatation.

Conclusions:

• Bornaviral infections can impact gastrointestinal function, leading to PDD in birds.
• Understanding shared pathways may offer insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
• Further research into viral effects on gastric motility is warranted for both avian and human health.