Medycyna Wet. 67 (5), 291-294, 2011
| Duchatel J. P., Szeleszczuk P. |
| Young pigeon disease syndrome |
| The young pigeon disease syndrome (YPDS) is a multifactorial disease in which the pigeon circovirus (PiCV) plays an important role in inducing immunosuppression in infected birds. The PiCV is small and has a non-enveloped icosahedral structure. The YPDS occurs in young birds, usually after weaning at the age of 7-15 weeks, and is characterized by clinical signs such as anorexia, depression, the crop filled with clear yellow liquid, vomiting, diarrhea, polyuria, and ruffled feathers. Macroscopic examination of affected pigeons generally shows atrophy of the bursa of Fabricius (BF) and the thymus. Histopathological examination reveals lesions of acute necrotizing bursitis, characterized by the infiltration of heterophils into the lumen of the follicles and the medulla. Like all tests, PiCV multiplication in cell cultures and the inoculation of embryonated eggs are unsuc-cessful. The presence of the PiCV is therefore usually established by detecting viral DNA by PCR. There is no specific treatment or vaccine against PiCV infection. When cases of the young pigeon disease are found, secondary infections, as well as bacterial and parasitic diseases, are diagnosed and treated. Further studies are needed to provide answers to many questions regarding this syndrome. All data collected will enable a better management of infections and associated symptoms. |
| Keywords: Pigeons, circovirus, immunosuppression |