Herpesvirus (Pacheco)

DNA-Test Pacheco’s Disease

Psittacine Herpes Virus (PsHV)

Sample material:

Blood sample (in EDTA or just a drop on a sterile swab), or 3-4 freshly plucked feathers of 4 cm

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:

One to two days after receiving the sample

Disease pattern:

Pacheco’s disease is caused by a herpes virus which only affects psittacine birds.

An infection of a livestock usually occurs by clinically healthy carriers (infected birds without any symptoms). Due to stress the virus can then be reactivated and the birds spread it via feces. The incubation period (the time elapsed between exposure to the pathogen and when symptoms are first apparent) is from 3 to 10 days.

Sick birds show common symptoms like apathy, absence of appetite and sometimes regurgitation. A typical sign of Pacheco’s Disease is yellow-green diarrhea. In the majority of cases the birds die within a few hours or days. Mostly sudden death is to be seen without any previous symptoms.

Note:

A confirmed diagnosis is possible by detecting the viral DNA from blood samples, cloacal swabs and liver. All birds newly integrated into the livestock should be tested for already existing infections.