Unusual fatal avian polyomavirus infection in nestling cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) detected by nested polymerase chain reaction

High mortality of nestling cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) was observed in one breeding flock in Slovakia. The nestling mortality affected 50% of all breeding pairs. In general, all the nestlings in affected nests died. Death occurred suddenly in 4- to 6-day-old birds, most of which had full crops. No feather disorders were diagnosed in this flock. Two dead nestlings were tested by nested PCR for the presence of avian polyomavirus (APV) and Chlamydophila psittaci and by single-round PCR for the presence of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV). After the breeding season ended, a breeding pa... Mehr ...