Avian Bornavirus (ABV)
Sample material:
5-6 freshly plucked feathers of 4cm
The sensitivity of our laboratory analyses depends on the condition and the kind of the sent sample material significantly.
Please send us the material specified by our lab to ensure the highest level on reliability.
Duration of the investigation:
Two to three days after receiving the sample
Disease pattern:
The proventricular dilatation disease is an inflammatory illness affecting the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract of psittacine birds. The infectious agent is an avian bornavirus (ABV).
Typical signs of an infection are weight loss over a period of weeks to months despite a good appetite, passage of undigested food in feces and regurgitation. Lack of coordination, paresis, head tremors and other neurological symptoms may be included. The birds die after some months to one year after first signs have occurred.
In many cases birds infected with ABV may not develop any symptoms. But they can act as a reservoir for the virus and can infect other birds. ABV is mainly spread through feces.
Meanwhile PDD occurs in more than 50 psittacine species. Analogous symptoms were also found in non-psittacine birds such as canaries, ibises, Canada geese, waxbills and tucans.
Note:
A confirmed diagnosis is possible by detecting the viral RNA from blood samples, cloacal swabs and feathers. All birds newly integrated into the livestock should be tested for already existing infections.