Isolation and experimental chicken-embryo-inoculation studies with budgerigar papovavirus

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Avian Pathology

Background:

• Budgerigar papovavirus (BPV) causes disease outbreaks in budgerigars.
• Previous isolation attempts using direct methods were challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and identify budgerigar papovavirus (BPV) from diseased birds.
• To characterize the pathogenicity of the isolated BPV.

Main Methods:

• Electron microscopy of disrupted skin tissue.
• Cell culture isolation from liver and kidney tissues.
• Pathogenicity studies in chicken embryos of varying ages.
• Antibody detection using agar-gel-immunodiffusion.

Main Results:

• Direct electron microscopy required extensive tissue disruption and fluorocarbon extraction.
• BPV was detected in cell cultures (liver, kidney) by electron microscopy and cytopathic effects after multiple passages.
• The isolated BPV was pathogenic for 10-day-old chicken embryos but not for 11- or 12-day-old embryos.
• Antibodies to BPV were detected in surviving chicken embryos.

Conclusions:

• Cell culture and electron microscopy are effective for isolating and identifying budgerigar papovavirus.
• The isolated BPV exhibits age-dependent pathogenicity in chicken embryos.
• This study provides a method for detecting BPV and its associated antibodies.