Characterization of paramyxo-, herpes-, and orbiviruses isolated from psittacine birds

Abstract

Isolates of paramyxo-, herpes-, and orbiviruses from psittacine birds were characterized in the course of studies in cell cultures. The LBD-1 isolate, from a lovebird, was grown in chick kidney (CK) cells. It had the properties of a paramyxovirus but was found tobe serologically distinct from known avian paramyxoviruses. This virus was pathogenic for Japanese quail but not for young chickens or budgerigars. RSL-1 and -2, isolated from diseased rosellas, were propagated in chicken embryo fibroblasts and CK cells, and were found similar to other herpesviruses in physicochemical and morphological properties. They were immunologically related to the psittacine herpesvirus which causes Pacheco's parrot disease, and when inoculated into budgerigars produced clinical disease and death with hepatic lesions. The CKT-1 and PKT-1 isolates, from a cockatiel and a budgerigar, grew in fibroblastic cell cultures from several species. Their physicochemical properties suggested that they should be classified as members of the orbivirus group. They were mildly pathogenic for budgerigars.