Fatal Human Neurologic Infection Caused by Pigeon Avian Paramyxovirus-1, Australia

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Human Infectious Diseases
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1) is a significant avian pathogen with varied clinical presentations.
• Human infections are rare, typically manifesting as mild conjunctivitis.

Observation:

• A fatal case of severe neurologic disease occurred in a 2-year-old immunocompromised child in Australia.
• The child presented with an unexplained neurologic condition.

Findings:

• Metagenomic sequencing and histopathology confirmed the causative agent as the pigeon variant of APMV-1.
• This specific avian virus strain was identified as the cause of the fatal neurologic illness.

Implications:

• APMV-1, particularly the pigeon variant, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained neurologic diseases in humans, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
• Agnostic metagenomic sequencing is a valuable tool for identifying novel or unexpected pathogens in clinical settings, aiding prompt diagnosis and treatment.