Characterization of a reo-like virus and its isolation from and pathogenicity for parrots

Necropsy of an African Grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) revealed subcutaneous hemorrhages, multiple foci and microfoci of necrosis in the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and intestinal lamina propria, mild air sacculitis, and epicarditis. A virus, isolated from the liver, was non-enveloped, was polyhedral with a diameter of 84.9 +/- 3.4 nm, possessed a double-stranded RNA genome, and was stable at pH 3.0 for 30 minutes and at 56 C for up to 120 minutes. The virus was propagated in cell culture, purified by limiting dilution, and inoculated into two African Grey parrots. The experimental infections were fatal on the 8th and 9th days postinoculation in the orally and intramuscularly inoculated birds, respectively, and produced hemorrhages and necrotic lesions that recapitulated those of the index case.