Pigeon circovirus (PiCV)

Test code: S0095 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of pigeon circovirus by real time polymerase chain reaction

Pigeon circovirus (PiCV) infections have been described in several regions of the world. Infected pigeons may develop symptoms such as lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, reduced race performance, respiratory distress and diarrhea.

The viral genome of PiCV (also known as columbid circovirus or CoCV) has been found to share low-level DNA homology with psittacine beak and feather disease virus (BFDV). The virus currently is classified as a tentative member of family Circoviridae and the genome of PiCV is similar to other members of the family: It is a circular, single-stranded DNA of approximately 1.76–2.04 kb in size, contained within a non-enveloped protein coat.

Successful culture identification of virus has not been described. Histopathological examination of infected young birds reveals the presence of characteristic inclusions in lymphoid tissue such as the bursa of Fabricius. As this organ shrinks in size as birds grow older and is tiny or absent in adult birds, diagnosis by histopathology alone is therefore unreliable. Furthermore, this method does not allow early diagnosis of infection.

Molecular detection by PCR is very useful because it can identify the presence or absence of the viral genome in blood (Hattermann et al, 2002) and a number of different tissues (Todd et al, 2002), and can assist the post mortem diagnosis of PiCV disease. PCR detection of PiCV is highly sensitive and specific.

Utilities:

• Help confirm the disease causing agent
• Environmental monitoring
• Help ensure that bird populations are free of PiCV
• Early prevention of spread of the virus among bird populations
• Minimize human exposure to the virus

References:
Hattermann, K., Soike, D., Grund, C. and Mankertz A, (2002) A method to diagnose Pigeon circovirus infection in vivo. J. Virol. Methods. 104:55-58.
Todd, D., Duchatel, J.P., Weston, J.H., Ball, N.W., Borghmans, B.J., Moffett, D.A. and Smyth, J.A. (2002) Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction and dot blot hybridization tests in the diagnosis of pigeon circovirus infections. Vet. Microbiol. 89:1-16.

Specimen requirements: 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube, or 0.2 ml fresh, frozen or fixed tissue.

Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected