Avian poxvirus in a free-range juvenile speckled (rock) pigeon (Columba guinea)

Authors

  • Dauda G Bwala University of Pretoria
  • Folorunso O Fasina University of Pretoria
  • Neil M Duncan University of Pretoria

Abstract

A flightless wild juvenile rock pigeon (Columba guinea) with pox-like lesions was picked up on the premises of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort. The pigeon was housed overnight for possible treatment the following day but died before any other intervention could be instituted. At necropsy, coalescing masses of yellowish nodular cutaneous tumour-like lesions principally on the featherless areas were noticed on the dead pigeon’s head as well as the beak. Histological examination of the sampled skin lesions revealed multifocal areas of hypertrophic and hyperplastic epidermal epithelial cells with eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies (Bollinger bodies). Extract from the lesion was processed and inoculated on the chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) of 11-day-old embryonated chicken eggs and this produced pocks on one of the CAM at day 7 post-inoculation. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of poxvirus in the CAM with the pock lesions.

Author Biographies

  • Dauda G Bwala, University of Pretoria

    Poultry Reference Centre, Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria, South Africa

  • Folorunso O Fasina, University of Pretoria

    Department of Production Animal Studies, University of Pretoria, South Africa

  • Neil M Duncan, University of Pretoria

    Pathology Section, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa

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Published

2021-12-09

Issue

Section

Case Report