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PubMed1984

Growth of several strains of Chlamydia psittaci in Vero and McCoy cells in the presence of cytochalasin and cortisone.

Chlamydia psittaci of avian and mammalian origin were grown in McCoy and Vero cells in the presence of cytochalasin B with cortisone acetate. Six turkey strains, one parrot strain, one human strain, one ovine strain and one bovine strain were used in this study. All strains, except the turkey strain NJ-1, grew to higher titers in Vero cells than in McCoy cells. Five of the six turkey strains could be grouped together because they induced cytopathic changes rapidly. The other turkey strain, along with the parrot, human and ovine strain, induced cytopathic changes more slowly and the bovine strain failed to cause cytopathic changes, but it did replicate in the cell culture system.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occurrence of velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease in pet and exotic birds in 1991.

In 1991, velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease (VVND) was diagnosed in domestic psittacine birds in six states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Texas, California, and Nevada. In the first four states, the disease assumed outbreak proportions. The affected psittacine birds--yellow-headed Amazon parrots (Amazona ochrocephala oratrix), yellow-naped Amazon parrots (Amazona ochrocephala auropalliata), cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus), and conures (unknown species)--exhibited respiratory and/or central nervous system signs. The velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease virus (VVNDV) was isolated from cloacal and tracheal swabs and various tissues, such as the lung, trachea, distal intestine, and spleen. The origin of the birds could not be established. The disease in the six states was promptly controlled, with no evidence that domestic poultry had been exposed. Also, VVNDV was isolated from quarantined birds intended for importation into the United States. Included were 53 moustached parakeets (Psittacula alexandri fasciata), a mynah (Gracula religiosa), a drongo (Dicrurus sp.), and three partridges (family Phasianidae). Groups of birds that yielded VVNDV were denied entry into the United States. Birds that are illegally imported and therefore not tested for the presence of foreign animal pathogens are a potential source of VVNDV and a threat to domestic poultry and caged birds.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Biological and molecular characterization of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) field isolates with comparisons to reference NDV strains.

Fifty-seven Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates from chickens, turkeys, a rhea, a parrot, and an anhinga were pathotyped and characterized by monoclonal antibody (mAb) inhibition profile, elution rate, and hemagglutinin thermostability. Nucleotide sequence analysis of portions of the fusion protein and matrix protein genes of the parrot isolate was done for comparison with prior sequence analysis of the anhinga isolate and NDV reference strains. Seven of the 43 chicken isolates were recovered from flocks in Canada. The remaining isolates, including 11 from turkeys, were isolated in the United States. All isolates except that of the anhinga were of low virulence by mean death time in embryos, intracerebral pathogenicity index, and/or intravenous pathogenicity index procedures and were classified as lentogens. The anhinga isolate was more virulent than the other strains and was pathotyped as a mesogen. However, nucleotide sequence analysis of the anhinga isolate had revealed a homology with the virulent cormorant isolates of 1992 rather than the classical U.S. mesogens characterized by the Roakin strain. Variability was evident among the lentogenic isolates. Two isolates from turkeys had mAb profiles that differed from B1 and La Sota reference and vaccine strains, and 38% (21/56) of the isolates had more thermostable hemagglutinins than those reference strains. There was no evidence that any of the isolates from poultry were more virulent than the lentogenic pathotype.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Adenovirus infections in psittacines].

Diagnostic investigations were carried out in a fatal disease of several African Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus) and Cape Parrots (Poicephalus robustus) in a large breeding plant. Electron microscopically examination of liver and intestine, the organs with the most prominent pathomorphological changes, regularly revealed adenoviruses. Necrotizing hepatitis and catarrhal to haemorrhagic enteritis dominated on histopathological examination. Numerous basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in hepatocytes and enterocytes and their ultrastructural characteristics underline the etiological role of the detected adenoviruses. Adenoviruses were isolated from livers of three different birds and once from the intestine. Serologically the isolates were classified as fowl adenovirus serotype 4 (FAV4). Restriction enzyme analysis of two isolates showed the identity with the FAV4 reference strain KR5.

Adenoviridae Infections↗
PubMed2000

Male vocal imitation produces call convergence during pair bonding in budgerigars, Melopsittacus undulatus.

The budgerigar, a small species of parrot, can learn new vocalizations throughout life and is therefore widely used as a model system for studying various aspects of vocal learning. It is not known, however, why parrots imitate sounds. To test the hypothesis that vocal imitation in budgerigars is related to pair bonding, we recorded approximately 100 contact calls from each of nine male and nine female adult budgerigars that were unfamiliar with one another and then placed them into pairs. We sampled their contact call repertoire weekly and conducted twice-weekly behavioural observation sessions. We compared contact calls by sonagram cross-correlation and classified them by means of a hierarchical clustering algorithm. This analysis showed that all pairs developed a shared call within an average of 2.1 weeks. Further analysis revealed that eight of the nine male budgerigars imitated the contact calls of their assigned mates, while none of the females imitated the calls of their males. We conclude that contact call imitation in adult budgerigars probably contributes to pair bond formation and maintenance. Prior studies on budgerigars were limited by the lack of a behavioural paradigm to elicit vocal imitation reliably. Our study remedies this and thereby serves as a foundation for future studies on vocal learning in adult animals. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Higher-level phylogeny of trogoniformes.

Phylogenetic relationships between Trogoniformes and several other putative closely related groups of birds, based on complete cytochrome b and nearly complete 12S ribosomal RNA sequences, were studied. The taxa included trogons, owls, cuckoos, parrots, nightjars, hummingbirds, kingfishers, motmots, rollers, mousebirds, and woodpeckers. The group most commonly suggested as the nearest relative to trogons had been the coraciiforms (kingfishers, rollers, and allies) but this hypothesis was not supported. It appeared that Trogons are more closely related to mousebirds, parrots, and perhaps cuckoos than to coraciiforms. Conflicting results, however, prevented precise determination of higher-level phylogenetic affinities of trogons. A saturation analysis showed evident saturation in cytochrome b third positions and 12S loops. After saturated partitions were removed, the phylogeny supported the mousebirds (Coliiformes) as the sister taxon to trogons. Phylogenetic inconsistencies appeared to be attributable to an imbalance between the lengths of terminal and internodal branches. Apparently, the limited number of characters supporting internodal branches exemplifies a relatively rapid cladogenesis at an early period in the evolutionary history of these birds.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Paternity testing of endangered species of birds by DNA fingerprinting with non-radioactive labelled oligonucleotide probes.

In the last years, DNA fingerprinting became the most powerful tool for identification and paternity testing in man. The success of this method encouraged the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Natural Protection and Reactor Safety to apply DNA fingerprinting in the field of protection of endangered species of birds, such as birds of prey or parrots. In the last three years, we received more than 400 blood and tissue samples of 23 species of birds of prey or parrots, most of them obtained by confiscation, to establish paternity and legal breeding success. We used digoxigenated oligonucleotide probes, mainly (GGAT)4 and (GACA)4 for hybridization. In most cases of confiscated families of birds, paternity testing showed exclusions of nestlings.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2004

Analysis of the beak and feather disease viral genome indicates the existence of several genotypes which have a complex psittacine host specificity.

A study was made of the phylogenetic relationships between fifteen complete nucleotide sequences as well as 43 nucleotide sequences of the putative coat protein gene of different strains belonging to the virus species Beak and feather disease virus obtained from 39 individuals of 16 psittacine species. The species included among others, cockatoos ( Cacatuini), African grey parrots ( Psittacus erithacus) and peach-faced lovebirds ( Agapornis roseicollis), which were infected at different geographical locations, within and outside Australia, the native origin of the virus. The derived amino acid sequences of the putative coat protein were highly diverse, with differences between some strains amounting to 50 of the 250 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the putative coat gene sequences form six clusters which show a varying degree of psittacine species specificity. Most, but not all strains infecting African grey parrots formed a single cluster as did the strains infecting the cockatoos. Strains infecting the lovebirds clustered with those infecting such Australasian species as Eclectus roratus, Psittacula kramerii and Psephotus haematogaster. Although individual birds included in this study were, where studied, often infected by closely related strains, infection by highly diverged trains was also detected. The possible relationship between BFD viral strains and clinical disease signs is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Long-term study of Chlamydophilosis in Slovenia.

Immune reactivity for Chlamydophila (C.) psittaci in Slovenia was monitored in parrots, canaries, finches and nine species of recently captured free-living birds (house sparrows, Eurasian goldfinches, tree sparrows, chaffinches, European greenfinches, European serines, Eurasian siskins, Eurasian linnets and Eurasian bullfinches) in the period from 1991 to 2001. In subsequent years, specific IgG antibodies were found using immunofluorescence in parrots (0.7-53.6%), canaries (0.0-3.5%), finches (0.0-5.7%) and in captured free-living birds (33.3% of Eurasian goldfinches in 1994). An experimental infection with C psittaci was performed in order to study clinical signs and pathological changes in canaries and finches. The C. psittaci strain used for experimental infection was isolated from a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus). Chlamydial DNA was extracted from clinical material followed by RFLP-PCR analysis. Infection of canaries and finches was confirmed in organ smears by direct immunofluorescence and a modified Gimenez staining method. In addition, serological tests of indirect immunofluorescence and complement fixation were applied. However, in spite of positive immunological reaction there were no clinical signs three weeks after infection. The present study includes results of a serological survey of persons belonging to the most important risk groups (breeders, pet shopkeepers and veterinarians). The results of microimmunofluorescence to identify the presence of specific antibodies and correlation between appearance of infection in birds and important risk groups are presented. Out of 143 persons belonging to the high-risk group we found 10 (7%) persons who were immunologically positive. Testing of two successive samples was used to demonstrate an increase in IgG and IgA titres in human sera. However, IgM, which is indicative of acute infection, could not be detected.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Sequence of the neuraminidase gene of an avian influenza A virus (A/parrot/ulster/73, H7N1).

The complete sequence of the neuraminidase (NA) gene of the influenza A strain A/parrot/ Ulster /73 ( H7N1 ) has been determined after reverse transcribing and cloning it into the pBR322 plasmid, followed by subcloning into M13 vectors and sequencing with dideoxynucleotide chain terminators. The gene consists of 1458 nucleotides and codes for a protein of 469 amino acids. The neuraminidase has seven potential glycosylation sites. According to the molecular weight as determined by electrophoretic migration in polyacrylamide gel all of these sites might carry a carbohydrate side chain. When the parrot Ulster NA was compared with two other N1 neuraminidases, those of the human PR8 and WSN strains, deletions in the stalk region of 15 amino acids for PR8 NA and of 16 amino acids for WSN NA were apparent. No further rearrangements were found within N1 neuraminidases. Although the parrot Ulster strain was isolated 40 years after the two human strains, the base sequence homology of their NA genes is still 83 or 82%, respectively.

Allantoin↗
PubMed1996

An inactivated avian polyomavirus vaccine is safe and immunogenic in various Psittaciformes.

The safety and immunogenicity of adjuvanted and nonadjuvanted inactivated avian polyomavirus vaccines, administered either intramuscularly or subcutaneously (s.c.), were evaluated in a group of mixed species Psittaciformes. In 233 vaccinates representing species of macaws, cockatoos, conures, and parrots, gross reactions were limited to small scab formation at the s.c. injection site in three African grey parrots. Both vaccines stimulated a virus neutralizing (VN) antibody response, particularly in birds that were seronegative prior to vaccination. Ninety-three percent of the birds that were seronegative at the beginning of the study seroconverted (greater than fourfold increase in VN antibody titer) by 2 weeks after the second vaccination. Seventy-six percent of all the vaccinates had at least a fourfold increase in VN antibody titer at this time. There was no significant difference in seroconversion between the birds vaccinated with adjuvanted or nonadjuvanted vaccines. This study indicates that an inactivated avian polyomavirus vaccine can be used to safely immunize various species of psittacine birds in a field setting.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Phytoaccumulation of heavy metals by aquatic plants.

Three aquatic plants were examined for their ability to remove heavy metals from contaminated water: parrot feather (Myriophylhum aquaticum), creeping primrose (Ludwigina palustris), and water mint (Mentha aquatic). The plants were obtained from a Solar Aquatic System treating municipal wastewater. All the three plants were able to remove Fe, Zn, Cu, and Hg from the contaminated water. The average removal efficiency for the three plant species was 99.8%, 76.7%, 41.62%, and 33.9% of Hg, Fe, Cu, and Zn, respectively. The removal rates of zinc and copper were constant (0.48 mg/l/day for Zn and 0.11 mg/l/day for Cu), whereas those of iron and mercury were dependent on the concentration of these elements in the contaminated water and ranged from 7.00 to 0.41 mg/l/day for Fe and 0.0787 to 0.0002 mg/l/day for Hg. Parrot feather showed greater tolerance to toxicity followed by water mint and creeping primrose. The growth of creeping primrose was significantly affected by heavy metal toxicity. The selectivity of heavy metals for the three plant species was the same (Hg>Fe>Cu>Zn). The mass balance preformed on the system showed that about 60.45-82.61% of the zinc and 38.96-60.75% of the copper were removed by precipitation as zinc phosphate and copper phosphate, respectively.

Chemical Precipitation↗
PubMed2000

Uptake and phytotransformation of o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDT by axenically cultivated aquatic plants.

The uptake and phytotransformation of o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDT were investigated in vitro using three axenically cultivated aquatic plants: parrot feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum), duckweed (Spirodela oligorrhiza), and elodea (Elodea canadensis). The decay profile of DDT from the aqueous culture medium followed first-order kinetics for all three plants. During the 6-day incubation period, almost all of the DDT was removed from the medium, and most of it accumulated in or was transformed by these plants. Duckweed demonstrated the greatest potential to transform both DDT isomers; 50-66% was degraded or bound in a nonextractable manner with the plant material after the 6-day incubation. Therefore, duckweed also incorporated less extractable DDT (32-49%) after 6 days than did the other plants. The capacity for phytotransformation/binding by elodea is between that of duckweed and parrot feather; approximately 31-48% of the spiked DDT was degraded or bound to the elodea plant material. o,p'-DDD and p,p'-DDD are the major metabolites in these plants; small amounts of p,p'-DDE were also found in duckweed (7.9%) and elodea (4.6%) after 6 days. Apparently, reduction of the aliphatic chlorine atoms of DDT is the major pathway for this transformation. This study, which provides new information on plant biochemistry as related to pollutant accumulation and phytotransformation, should advance the development of phytoremediation processes.

Biotransformation↗
PubMed2000

Behaviourally driven gene expression reveals song nuclei in hummingbird brain.

Hummingbirds have developed a wealth of intriguing features, such as backwards flight, ultraviolet vision, extremely high metabolic rates, nocturnal hibernation, high brain-to-body size ratio and a remarkable species-specific diversity of vocalizations. Like humans, they have also developed the rare trait of vocal learning, this being the ability to acquire vocalizations through imitation rather than instinct. Here we show, using behaviourally driven gene expression in freely ranging tropical animals, that the forebrain of hummingbirds contains seven discrete structures that are active during singing, providing the first anatomical and functional demonstration of vocal nuclei in hummingbirds. These structures are strikingly similar to seven forebrain regions that are involved in vocal learning and production in songbirds and parrots--the only other avian orders known to be vocal learners. This similarity is surprising, as songbirds, parrots and hummingbirds are thought to have evolved vocal learning and associated brain structures independently, and it indicates that strong constraints may influence the evolution of forebrain vocal nuclei.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Bacterial sinusitis as a cause of beak deformity in an Antipodes Island parakeet (Cyanoramphus unicolor).

CASE HISTORY: From 26 days of age, an Antipodes Island parakeet (Cyanoramphus unicolor) was noted to have a severe beak deformity and reduced bodyweight gain compared to its nest mate. The bird was euthanised at 43 days of age. CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: The beak abnormality consisted of distortion of the right nares and severe shortening resulting in deviation of the upper maxilla to the right and cranially. On sectioning the head, copious mucoid material was found in the infraorbital sinus and the bony sinus architecture was disrupted. Histopathological examination of the infraorbital sinuses revealed a large focus of chronic but active inflammation, bony lysis on the right side and pockets of a mixed population of bacteria. DIAGNOSIS: Severe beak deformity, likely secondary to bacterial sinusitis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The case illustrates the need to look for underlying aetiologies to beak malformation, particularly in young parrots. KEYWORDS: Sinusitis, beak malformation, Antipodes Island parakeet, parrot, beak growth.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Virulence of six heterogeneous-origin Newcastle disease virus isolates before and after sequential passages in domestic chickens.

Four serial passages of six Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates were performed in two-week-old White Leghorns. The viruses were recovered from chickens (Ckn-Live Bird Market and Ckn-Australia isolates), exotic (Yellow Nape [YN] Parrot, Pheasant, and Dove isolates) and wild birds (Anhinga isolate). Infected chickens were monitored clinically and humanely killed to sample tissues for histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Pathogenicity tests, to assess the virulence of the isolates for chickens, and sequence analysis of the fusion protein cleavage site were performed before and after passages. The moderately virulent Dove isolate became highly virulent with serial passage. The originally highly virulent Pheasant isolate had an increase in the intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) and the intravenous pathogenicity index (IVPI) with passages in chickens. Virulence increase was not observed with Ckn-LBM, YN Parrot, Ckn-Australia, or Anhinga isolates after four chicken passages. The results demonstrate the high risk for domestic chickens represented by some NDV-infected non-poultry species, such as doves.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Preliminary account of the phenology of some Nigerian savanna phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae).

A total of 1,705 sandflies was collected by sticky trap from the Guinea savanna of northern Nigeria to determine their seasonal and spatial fluctuations in abundance. Adult sandflies persisted throughout the year, but the highest diversity and abundance were recorded at the end of the rainy season. Females were collected more frequently than were males. The species collected in order of decreasing abundance were Sergentomyia antennata Newstead, S. bedfordi Newstead, S. africana Newstead, S. schwetzi Adler, Theodor & Parrot, S. affinis Theodor, S. adleri Theodor, S. clydei Sinton, S. simillima Newstead, S. buxtoni Theodor, S. christophersi Sinton, and Phlebotomus rodhaini Parrot. Sandfly abundance was greater near rocky terrain (Dumbi inselberg) and on an animal farm than on the open plains and in a residential area. Known vectors of leishmaniasis were not collected, despite the report of human cases in the study area.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Cuticular hydrocarbon composition analysis for taxonomic differentiation of phlebotomine sandfly species (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Kenya.

Gas chromatographic patterns of cuticular hydrocarbon composition were analyzed for 9 sandfly species, including Phlebotomus (Larroussius) aculeatus Lewis, Minter & Ashford [syn. P. (L.) elgonensis Ngoka, Madel & Mutinga], P. (sensu stricto) duboscqi Neveu-Lemaire, P. (Synphlebotomus) martini Parrot, P. pedifer (Larroussius) Lewis, Mutinga & Ashford, Sergentomiya (Parrotomyia) africanus Newstead, S. (Sergentomyia) antennatus Newstead, S. (Spelacomyia) garnhami Heisch, Giggisberg & Teedale, S. (Rondanomyia) ingrami Newstead, and S. (Sergentomyia) schwetzi Adler, Theodor & Parrot, collected in the field in Kenya or reared in the laboratory. The patterns showed both quantitative and qualitative differences among species. Discriminant analysis of easily identified peaks (expressed as percentages of total peak area) confirmed the uniqueness of the pattern for each species. Species identifications of field-collected flies revealed an excellent correspondence between morphometric criteria and gas chromatography for all species, except P. duboscqi. These results indicated that the morphological criteria for the identification of P. duboscqi should be reexamined. Chromatograms of females and males showed slight quantitative differences.

Animals↗