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This article provides information to help US-based practitioners develop differential diagnoses for, and recognize foreign animal diseases associated with, dermatologic lesions in small ruminants. Sheep and goat pox are currently considered foreign animal diseases (in the United States) and may cause lesions similar to other endemic diseases of small ruminants including orf, ulcerative dermatosis, bluetongue, and dermatophilosis. Any cases involving unusual dermatologic lesions associated with high morbidity and/or mortality warrant reporting to governmental authorities including USDA APHIS or state regulatory veterinarians for herd or flock investigations. Vigilance on the part of livestock veterinarians and small ruminant producers is of paramount importance in preventing the entry and spread of economically devastating foreign animal diseases.

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Poxviruses (family: Poxviridae) infect many avian species, causing several disease outcomes, the most common of which are proliferative lesions on the legs, feet, and/or head. Few avian studies of poxvirus to date have combined molecular and ecological analyses to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the identity and distribution of the disease in a population. Here, we describe patterns of poxvirus infection in an urban population of house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) in Arizona (USA) and use high-throughput sequencing to determine the genome sequence of the virus. We found that poxvirus prevalence, based on visual identification of pox lesions, was 7.2% (17 infected birds out of a total of 235 sampled) in our population during summer 2021. Disease severity was low; 14 of the 17 infected birds had a single small lesion on the skin overlaying the eye, leg, and ear canal. All but two lesions were found on the feet; one bird had a lesion on the eye and the other in the ear opening. We also investigated possible temporal (i.e., date of capture) and biological correlates (e.g., age, sex, body condition, degree of infection with coccidian endoparasites) of poxvirus infection in urban-caught house finches during this time but found that none of these significantly correlated with poxvirus presence/absence. Two complete poxvirus genomes were determined from two infected birds. These genomes are ∼354,000 bp and share 99.7% similarity with each other, and 82% with a canarypox virus genome, the most closely related avipoxvirus. This novel finchpox virus is the first to be reported in house finches and has a similar genome organization to other avipoxviruses.

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The pseudocowpox virus (PCPV) is recognized for causing exanthematic lesions in cattle and humans. The diagnosis is important because it is a zoonosis and its clinical signs can be confused with foot-and-mouth disease, a high-impact bovine disease in livestock. The objective of this work is to validate a SYBR Green qPCR and a conventional PCR for virus detection in bovine samples. Detection limit tests, repeatability, reproducibility, sensitivity, and specificity were compared. When two analysts were compared, results demonstrated that training and pipetting influence the repeatability. The qPCR was more sensitive than conventional PCR but showed nonspecific reactions distinguishable by the melting curve. Both showed high repeatability and reproducibility.

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Pseudocowpox is a zoonosis caused by pseudocowpox virus (PCPV), which mainly affects cows but can be an occupational disease of humans. The aim of the study was to validate a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for the detection of PCPV. The assay was able to detect up to 1000 copies of PCPV per µL in field samples, with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 100%. We did not observe any cross-reactivity between PCPV-positive samples and samples that were positive for other genetically similar viruses. The repeatability and reproducibility were adequate according to parameters preestablished in official test validation manuals.

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Avipoxvirus is the etiological agent of the avian pox, a well-known disease of captive and wild birds, and it has been associated with tumor-like lesions in some avian species. A white-faced whistling duck (Dendrocygna viduata) raised in captivity was referred to a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Northeast due to cutaneous nodules present in both wings. A few days after the clinical examination, the animal died naturally. Once submitted to necropsy, histopathological evaluation of the lesions revealed clusters of proliferating epithelial cells expanding toward the dermis. Some of these cells had round, well-defined, intracytoplasmic eosinophilic material suggestive of poxvirus inclusion (Bollinger bodies). PCR performed on the DNA extracted from tissue samples amplified a fragment of the 4b core protein gene (fpv167), which was purified and sequenced. This fragment of Avipoxvirus DNA present in these tumor-like lesions showed high genetic homology (100.0%) with other poxviruses detected in different avian species in several countries, but none of them were related to tumor-like lesions or squamous cell carcinoma. This is the first report of Avipoxvirus detected in tumor-like lesions of a white-faced whistling duck with phylogenetic analysis of the virus.(AU)

Avipoxvirus é o agente etiológico da varíola (bouba) aviária, uma doença bem descrita em aves de cativeiro e selvagens, tendo sido associada a lesões semelhantes a tumores em algumas dessas espécies. Uma marreca piadeira (Dendrocygna viduata), criada em cativeiro, foi atendida em um Hospital Veterinário na região nordeste devido à presença de nódulos cutâneos em ambas as asas. Alguns dias após o exame clínico, o animal veio a óbito naturalmente. A ave foi submetida à necropsia e coletados fragmentos das lesões para análise histopatológica, que revelou proliferação de células epiteliais expandindo para a derme. Algumas dessas células possuíam material eosinofílico intracitoplasmático e bem definido, sugestivo de inclusão de poxvírus (corpúsculos de Bollinger). A PCR realizada a partir do DNA extraído de amostras das lesões amplificou um fragmento do gene da proteína do núcleo 4b (fpv 167), que foi purificado e sequenciado. Esse fragmento de DNA de Avipoxvirus presente nas lesões relevou alta homologia genética (100,0%) com outros poxvírus detectados em diferentes espécies de aves em vários países, mas nenhum deles estava relacionado a lesões tumorais ou carcinoma espinocelular. Este é o primeiro relato de Avipoxvirus detectado em lesões semelhantes a tumores em uma marreca piadeira com caracterização molecular do vírus.(AU)

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Avipoxvirus is the etiological agent of the avian pox, a well-known disease of captive and wild birds, and it has been associated with tumor-like lesions in some avian species. A white-faced whistling duck (Dendrocygna viduata) raised in captivity was referred to a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Northeast due to cutaneous nodules present in both wings. A few days after the clinical examination, the animal died naturally. Once submitted to necropsy, histopathological evaluation of the lesions revealed clusters of proliferating epithelial cells expanding toward the dermis. Some of these cells had round, well-defined, intracytoplasmic eosinophilic material suggestive of poxvirus inclusion (Bollinger bodies). PCR performed on the DNA extracted from tissue samples amplified a fragment of the 4b core protein gene (fpv167), which was purified and sequenced. This fragment of Avipoxvirus DNA present in these tumor-like lesions showed high genetic homology (100.0%) with other poxviruses detected in different avian species in several countries, but none of them were related to tumor-like lesions or squamous cell carcinoma. This is the first report of Avipoxvirus detected in tumor-like lesions of a white-faced whistling duck with phylogenetic analysis of the virus.(AU)

Avipoxvirus é o agente etiológico da varíola (bouba) aviária, uma doença bem descrita em aves de cativeiro e selvagens, tendo sido associada a lesões semelhantes a tumores em algumas dessas espécies. Uma marreca piadeira (Dendrocygna viduata), criada em cativeiro, foi atendida em um Hospital Veterinário na região nordeste devido à presença de nódulos cutâneos em ambas as asas. Alguns dias após o exame clínico, o animal veio a óbito naturalmente. A ave foi submetida à necropsia e coletados fragmentos das lesões para análise histopatológica, que revelou proliferação de células epiteliais expandindo para a derme. Algumas dessas células possuíam material eosinofílico intracitoplasmático e bem definido, sugestivo de inclusão de poxvírus (corpúsculos de Bollinger). A PCR realizada a partir do DNA extraído de amostras das lesões amplificou um fragmento do gene da proteína do núcleo 4b (fpv 167), que foi purificado e sequenciado. Esse fragmento de DNA de Avipoxvirus presente nas lesões relevou alta homologia genética (100,0%) com outros poxvírus detectados em diferentes espécies de aves em vários países, mas nenhum deles estava relacionado a lesões tumorais ou carcinoma espinocelular. Este é o primeiro relato de Avipoxvirus detectado em lesões semelhantes a tumores em uma marreca piadeira com caracterização molecular do vírus.(AU)

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Avian poxvirus (APV) is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus that affects many domestic and wild birds worldwide. APVs are classified into three clades (A to C), represented by fowlpox (FP) virus (clade A), canarypox virus (clade B), and psittacinepox virus (clade C), although two additional clades (D and E) have been proposed. In this study, a tumorlike skin lesion found in a domestic fowl was submitted for molecular diagnosis of Avipoxvirus by PCR and sequencing. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the amplified segment of the corelike 4b protein and polymerase genes clustered in clade E. The APVs in clade E were previously reported from outbreaks in Hungary (flock of turkeys) and in Mozambique (layer chickens), associated with a possible vaccine failure to protect against clade E viruses. To our knowledge, this report is the first identification of clade E in this country, providing new information about host range and genetic diversity of APVs in Brazil, and may represent a potential risk of FP disease outbreaks in commercial poultry.

Reporte de caso- Identificación del Avipoxvirus clado E en Brasil. El poxvirus aviar (APV) es un virus de ADN bicatenario envuelto que afecta a muchas aves domésticas y silvestres en todo el mundo. Los poxvirus aviares se clasifican en tres clados (A, B y C), representados por el virus de la viruela aviar (FP) (clado A), el virus de la viruela del canario (clado B) y el virus de la viruela de los psitácidos (clado C), aunque dos clados adicionales (D y E) han sido propuestos. En este estudio, una lesión cutánea similar a un tumor encontrada en una gallina doméstica fue sometida a diagnóstico molecular de Avipoxvirus por PCR y secuenciación. El análisis filogenético reveló que el segmento amplificado de los genes de la proteína del centro 4b y de la polimerasa se agruparon en el clado E. Los poxvirus aviares en el clado E se reportaron previamente de brotes en Hungría (parvada de pavos) y en Mozambique (gallinas de postura), asociados con una posible falla de la vacuna para proteger contra los virus del clado E. De acuerdo con el conocimiento de los autores, este informe es la primera identificación del clado E en este país, brindando nueva información sobre el rango de hospedadores y la diversidad genética de poxvirus aviares en Brasil, y puede representar un riesgo potencial de brotes de viruela aviar en aves comerciales.

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OBJECTIVES: Distinct diseases prevent endangered huemul deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus) recovery. Fundamental etiological factors include nutriments, a mayor component of habitat quality. Undernutrition affects growth, skeletal development, osteopathology, reproduction and immunocompetence: this paper amplifies data corroborating micro-nutrient deficiencies among huemul. RESULTS: In Argentina, 57% huemul cadavers exhibited osteopathology, with new cases reported here. Recently, 86% live huemul had osteopathology: cranial lesions involved antemortem tooth loss, reducing feeding efficiency and body condition, with starvation deaths. This population had tissues well deficient compared to other cervids, averaging 0.28 ppm selenium, 4.98 ppm copper, whereas for manganese 55% were deficient (2.52 ppm) and 45% adequate (42.79 ppm). Recently, lesions in one Chilean huemul were interpreted to stem from parapoxvirus. That population also has cases with cranial osteopathologies, high disease susceptibility (parapoxvirus, parasitism, foot lesions), crippled antlers, and low density, indicative of marginal habitat and primary etiological factors like undernutrition and immunosuppression. The reported atypical symptoms attributed to parapoxvirus may relate to probable diagnostic limitations, but does support presence of nutritional deficiencies. Patagonia has selenium deficient plants and livestock, including severe muscular dystrophy, and soil levels in extant huemul areas considered very deficient. Moreover, 73% of Chilean huemul were selenium deficient and 64% severely deficient with concomitant cranial osteopathology.

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We studied the pathogenesis of Pseudocowpox virus (PCPV), a zoonotic parapoxvirus associated with mucocutaneous lesions in cattle. Inoculation of calves with PCPV isolate SD 76-65 intranasally (n = 6) or transdermally in the muzzle (n = 2) resulted in virus replication and shedding up to day 13 post-infection (pi). No local or systemic signs were observed in inoculated calves up to day 20pi, when the clinical monitoring was discontinued. However, from days 28-34 pi, seven (7/8) inoculated calves underwent an asynchronous clinical course characterized by development of a few (one or two) to countless papulo-pustular, erosive-fibrinous and scabby lesions in the muzzle, in some cases extending to the lips and gingiva. In some animals, the lesions coalesced, forming extensive fibrinotic/necrotic and scabby plaques covering almost entirely the muzzle. The clinical course lasted 8-15 days and spontaneously subsided after day 42pi. Infectious virus and/or viral DNA were detected in swabs collected from lesions of 5/8 animals between days 34 and 42pi. Histological examination of fragments collected from the muzzle lesions of two affected calves (day 36pi) revealed marked epidermal hyperplasia and severe orthokeratotic and parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, covered by thick scabs. The epidermis showed multifocal areas of keratinocyte coalescing necrosis and mild multifocal vacuolar degeneration. Sera of inoculated calves at 50pi showed partial virus neutralization at low dilutions, demonstrating seroconversion. The delayed and severe clinical course associated with virus persistence in lesions are novel findings and contribute for the understanding of PCPV pathogenesis.

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A retrospective study of officially diagnosed poxvirus infections in cattle in Distrito Federal (DF), Brazil, between 2015 and 2018 was performed. All cases were investigated by the DF Official Veterinary Service. In the most cases, samples of oral, cutaneous (teats, udder) or foot lesions were submitted to molecular diagnosis by PCR. In approximately 70% of the cases, additional samples were also submitted for histopathology. Ninety-three out of 2,467 clinically examined cattle (from 385 farms) presented suggestive and/or compatible lesions with poxviruses. Fifty-two out of these 93 cases were confirmed as poxviruses: 27 vaccinia virus (VACV), 9 pseudocowpox virus (PCPV), 8 bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV), 5 coinfection by PCPV and BPSV and 3 unidentified parapoxvirus. The clinical cases were observed in farms with different exploration (beef, dairy or mixed) from 9 out of 30 administrative regions of DF. Gross findings consisted of papules, vesicles, ulcers, scabs and scars and varied of type, severity and affected tissue, according to the detected virus. A single human case was observed associated with a BPSV infection. Histologically, the lesions were very similar, independently of the detected poxvirus, and included mild to moderate, superficial, multifocal inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages and/or neutrophils, with acanthosis and parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, usually associated with serous content, cellular debris and spongiosis. In the ulcerated lesions, there were focally extensive areas of necrosis with severe infiltrate of neutrophils in the adjacent connective tissue. Few to moderate amount of 4- to 8-µm eosinophilic inclusion bodies were observed in the cytoplasm of keratinocytes in 6 cases (2 of VACV, 2 of PCPV and 2 of PCPV/BPSV coinfection). Data of the current study demonstrate the wide circulation of different poxviruses in cattle from DF.

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Bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV) is a parapoxvirus associated with papular and erosive lesions on the muzzle, lips, and oral mucosa of cattle. BPSV infection occurs worldwide; however, it has still not been unequivocally diagnosed. The present report describes an outbreak of BPSV infection affecting dairy calves in northwestern Argentina and provides the first molecular characterization of this virus in the country. The disease was detected in a dairy farm, affecting 33 calves between 2 and 20 days of age. The signs included reddish papules, ulcers, and scabby proliferative lesions on muzzle, lips, and oral mucosa. The affected calves resisted to being fed due to severe local pain. Two necropsies were performed; papulas and ulcers were observed in ruminal and omasal mucosa. Histologically, the affected areas of the skin showed acanthosis, spongiosis, and parakeratotic hyperkeratosis with adjacent focally extensive ulcers and multifocal inflammatory infiltrate in the epidermis. Eosinophilic inclusion bodies were detected in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells. DNA extracted from scab samples was analyzed by PCR using pan-parapoxvirus primers for the B2L gene. The sequence analysis revealed 99%, 85%, and 84% similarity with BPSV, Pseudocowpox virus, and Orf virus, respectively. A phylogenetic tree constructed using the B2L sequence showed that the virus clustered with BPSV isolates. Although clinical cases compatible with BSPV infection have been frequently described in Argentina, the present report is the first to identify the agent associated with cattle disease in the country.

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Swine are the only known hosts of swinepox virus (SWPV), the sole member of the genus Suipoxvirus, family Poxviridae. Rapid diagnosis is recommended for appropriate interventions because of the high morbidity associated with this virus. This study describes a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for rapid detection and quantification of SWPV. The detection limit, repeatability, reproducibility, and specificity of this assay were determined. The efficiency was 96%, and the R2 value was 0.996. The detection limit was 1 fg or 10-0.5 TCID50/50 µL. Tests showed that the greatest source of error in the SWPV qPCR assay was variation between analysts rather than different qPCR kits or equipment. All nucleic acids from other viruses or samples collected from swine were negative in the specificity test. qPCR for SWPV is a new method with tested variables that allows main sources of error in laboratory diagnosis and viral quantification to be identified.

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Oryzoborus angolensis (Lesser Seed-Finch), Oryzoborus crassirostris (Large-billed Seed-Finch), and Sporophila intermedia (Grey Seedeater) are finch species native to the Caribbean island of Trinidad. These species are locally trapped and kept for their song, but with declining native populations, enthusiasts have turned to illegally importing birds from the South American mainland. The smuggling of wild birds from South America poses significant disease risks to the native bird species of Trinidad. Herein we describe the first case of poxviral infection in these illegally imported birds in Trinidad and partial genome sequence of the causative agent. Phylogenetic analysis of the 4b core protein sequence indicated that the avian poxvirus identified was most closely related to a 2012 avian pox sequence from Brazil, with 96.2% and 98.1% identity at the nucleotide and amino acid level.

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The huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) is an endangered cervid endemic to southern Argentina and Chile. Here we report foot lesions in 24 huemul from Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, Chile, between 2005 and 2010. Affected deer displayed variably severe clinical signs, including lameness and soft tissue swelling of the limbs proximal to the hoof or in the interdigital space, ulceration of the swollen tissues, and some developed severe proliferative tissue changes that caused various types of abnormal wear, entrapment, and/or displacement of the hooves and/or dewclaws. Animals showed signs of intense pain and reduced mobility followed by loss of body condition and recumbency, which often preceded death. The disease affected both genders and all age categories. Morbidity and mortality reached 80% and 40%, respectively. Diagnostics were restricted to a limited number of cases from which samples were available. Histology revealed severe papillomatous epidermal hyperplasia and superficial dermatitis. Electron microscopy identified viral particles consistent with viruses in the Chordopoxvirinae subfamily. The presence of parapoxvirus DNA was confirmed by a pan-poxvirus PCR assay, showing high identity (98%) with bovine papular stomatitis virus and pseudocowpoxvirus. This is the first report of foot disease in huemul deer in Chile, putatively attributed to poxvirus. Given the high morbidity and mortality observed, this virus might pose a considerable conservation threat to huemul deer in Chilean Patagonia. Moreover, this report highlights a need for improved monitoring of huemul populations and synergistic, rapid response efforts to adequately address disease events that threaten the species.

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The distribution of orthopoxviruses (OPXVs) across the North American continent is suggested to be widespread in a wide range of mammalian hosts on the basis of serosurveillance studies. To address the question of whether carnivores in northwestern Mexico are exposed to naturally circulating OPXVs, wild carnivores were collected by live trapping within four different habitat types during fall of 2013 and spring of 2014 within the Janos Biosphere Reserve in northwestern Chihuahua, Mexico. A total of 51 blood samples was collected for testing. Anti-OPXV immunoglobulin G enzymelinked immunosorbent assay, western blot, and rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT) assays were conducted. About 47% (24/51) of the carnivores tested were seropositive for anti-OPXV binding antibodies and had presence of immunodominant bands indicative of OPXV infection. All samples tested were negative for rabies virus neutralizing antibodies by RFFIT, suggesting that the OPXV antibodies were due to circulating OPXV, and not from exposure to oral rabies vaccine (vacciniavectored rabies glycoprotein vaccine) bait distributed along the US-Mexico border. Our results indicated that there may be one or more endemic OPXV circulating within six species of carnivores in northwestern Mexico.

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Avian pox is commonly diagnosed in a variety of North American wild and domestic birds, yet little is known about the evolutionary relationships among the causative poxviruses. This study aimed to determine the phylogenetic relationships among isolates identified in different avian host species to better characterize the host range of specific viral strains and compare the genetic variability within and between viral clades. Skin lesions grossly and microscopically consistent with poxvirus infection from 82 birds collected in Canada, the United States, and the U.S. Virgin Islands were included in this study. A total of 12 avian species were represented; the most common species sampled were wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), mourning doves (Zenaida macroura), and American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos). Poxvirus samples from these birds were genotyped using PCR that targeted the 4b core protein gene followed by amplicon sequencing. Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of these viruses, in conjunction with publicly available sequences, representing avipoxvirus strains from six continents revealed statistically significant monophyletic clades based on genetic distances of sequences within and between observed clades. Genetic variation within the fowlpox clade was low compared to the canarypox clade. Host and geographic origins of viral isolates revealed overall clustering of viral strains within avian species, with a few exceptions. No genetic differences were observed between viruses from Canada and the United States within individual species. These results are novel in their characterization and comparison of the phylogenetic relationships of poxvirus isolates in wild bird species from North America. Further, we provide new data on the level of host specificity and specific strains circulating in North America.

El análisis filogenético bayesiano de los avipoxvirus de las aves silvestres de América del Norte demuestra nuevos conocimientos sobre la especificidad del huésped y la transmisión interespecífica. La viruela aviar se diagnostica comúnmente en una variedad de aves silvestres y domésticas de América del Norte, pero se sabe poco sobre las relaciones evolutivas entre los poxvirus. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar las relaciones filogenéticas entre aislamientos identificados en diferentes especies de hospedadores aviares para caracterizar mejor el rango de hospedadores de cepas virales específicas y comparar la variabilidad genética dentro y entre los clados virales. Se incluyeron en este estudio lesiones cutáneas que eran consistentes macro y microscópicamente con la infección por poxvirus de 82 aves recolectadas en Canadá, Estados Unidos y las Islas Vírgenes de los Estados Unidos. Un total de 12 especies de aves fueron representadas; las especies más comunes en la muestra fueron los pavos silvestres (Meleagris gallopavo), huilota común (Zenaida macroura) y cuervos americanos (Corvus brachyrhynchos). Las muestras de poxvirus de estas aves fueron genotipadas mediante PCR que se enfocó en el gene de la proteína central 4b seguido de secuenciación de amplicón. Los análisis filogenéticos bayesianos de estos virus, junto con las secuencias disponibles públicamente, que representan cepas de avipoxvirus de seis continentes revelaron clados monofiléticos estadísticamente significativos basados en distancias genéticas de las secuencias dentro y entre los clados observados. La variación genética dentro del clado de la viruela del pollo fue baja en comparación con el clado de virus de canario. El huésped y los orígenes geográficos de los aislamientos virales revelaron un agrupamiento general de cepas virales dentro de las especies aviares, con algunas excepciones. No se observaron diferencias genéticas entre los virus de Canadá y los Estados Unidos dentro de las especies individuales. Estos resultados son novedosos en la caracterización y comparación de las relaciones filogenéticas de los aislados de poxvirus en especies de aves silvestres de América del Norte. Además, se proporcionan nuevos datos sobre el nivel de especificidad del huésped y las cepas específicas que circulan en América del Norte. Key words: Bayesian analysis, mourning dove, phylogenetic, poxvirus, sequencing, wild turkey, 4b gene.

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This study reports an outbreak of avian pox in a quarantine of canaries imported from Europe, with a mortality of 30% and clinical signs of dyspnea and blepharoconjunctivitis. During necropsy, beak cyanosis, serous blepharitis, caseous sinusitis, oropharyngitis, tracheitis, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, fibrinous airsacculitis, and splenomegaly were observed. Microscopically, edema, epithelial hyperplasia, hydropic degeneration, and vacuolated eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were found; similar lesions were observed in the thymus, spleen, and other organs. The virus was isolated in chicken embryos, and it was identified and characterized using a sequence of 913 nucleotides of the DNA polymerase gene. Pathologic characteristics and molecular biology indicate the systemic presence of avian pox associated with an avipoxvirus of the B1 subgroup. Additionally, other lesions associated with Aspergillus sp., Macrorhabdus ornithogaster, and Isospora sp. were found, which could contribute to the high mortality. Canarypox virus should be considered a differential diagnosis in cases of dyspnea and high mortality in canary flocks.

Reporte de caso- Brote de viruela aviar sistémica en canarios (Serinus canaria domestica) asociado con el virus de la viruela aviar subgrupo B1. En este estudio se reporta un brote de viruela aviar en unos canarios importados de Europa que estaban bajo cuarentena, con una mortalidad del 30% y signos clínicos de disnea y blefaroconjuntivitis. Durante la necropsia, se observó cianosis de pico, blefaritis serosa, sinusitis caseosa, orofaringitis, traqueítis, edema pulmonar, neumonía, fibrinosa respiratoria y esplenomegalia. Microscópicamente, se encontró edema, hiperplasia epitelial, degeneración hidrópica y cuerpos de inclusión intracitoplásmicos eosinófilos vacuolados; Se observaron lesiones similares en el timo, el bazo y otros órganos. El virus se aisló en embriones de pollo, se identificó y caracterizó analizando una secuencia de 913 nucleótidos del gene de la polimerasa de ADN. Las características patológicas y la biología molecular indican la presentación sistémica de la viruela aviar asociada a un avipoxvirus del subgrupo B1. Además, se encontraron otras lesiones asociadas con Aspergillus sp., Macrorhabdus ornithogaster y Isopora sp., lo que pudo contribuir a la alta mortalidad. El virus de la viruela del canario debe considerarse un diagnóstico diferencial en casos de disnea y alta mortalidad en parvadas de canarios.

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Fowlpox is one of the oldest diseases reported in birds. The causative genus Avipoxvirus affects ~232 domestic and wild species. We present herein the history, clinical findings, and macroscopic and histologic lesions caused by a clade C poxvirus in an exotic psittacine breeding colony in southern Brazil. Clinical signs included yellow nodular lesions at the commissure of the beak and on the periocular skin, loss of appetite, and death. Fifty birds were autopsied, and fragments of periocular skin, tongue, and trachea were examined histologically, which revealed hyperkeratosis associated with eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. Tracheal fragments and periocular skin were subjected to nested PCR and phylogenetic analyses. The sequenced strain showed 99.58% identity with the nucleotide sequences of Avipoxvirus strains AY53011, KC018069, AM050383, and AM05382 isolated from birds in Germany, United States, and United Kingdom. The strain was grouped under clade C, which represents isolates exclusively from the Psittacidae family. The infection caused by clade C Avipoxvirus in the exotic psittacines examined ( Platycercus sp. and Psephotus haematonotus) demonstrates the circulation of this clade in this breeding colony.

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The poxviruses identified in cetaceans are associated with characteristic tattoo or ring skin lesions. However, little is known regarding the prevalence and progression of these lesions and the molecular characterization of cetacean poxviruses in the Southern Hemisphere. This manuscript describes the progression of poxvirus-like skin lesions in 5 free-ranging Guiana dolphins Sotalia guianensis. Additionally, 151 skin samples from 113 free-ranging cetaceans from Brazil, including 4 animals with tattoo skin lesions, were selected for poxvirus testing. Poxviral DNA polymerase gene PCR amplification was used to detect the virus in ß-actin-positive samples (145/151). DNA topoisomerase I gene PCR was then used in Cetaceanpoxvirus (CePV)-positive cases (n = 2), which were further evaluated by histopathology and electron microscopy. Based on photo-identification, adult Guiana dolphins presented regressing or healed poxvirus-like lesions (2/2), while juveniles presented persistent (2/3) or healed and progressive lesions (1/3). CePV DNA was amplified in a common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus and in a Guiana dolphin. Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies and viral particles consistent with poxvirus were identified by histology and electron microscopy, respectively. CePV-specific amino acid motifs were identified through phylogenetic analysis. Our findings corroborate previous studies that suggest the placement of poxviruses from cetaceans within the novel CePV genus. This is the first molecular identification of poxvirus in South American odontocetes.

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In this study we report for the first time the phylodynamics of the parapoxvirus (PPV) genus in Mexico. Based on the analysis by PCR of 124 epithelial samples collected between 2007 and 2011 from naturally infected goats, sheep and cows in Mexico, we found that different PPV were present in 21 out of the 24 states sampled during this study. Our phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of different PPV species in Mexico, and their phylogenetic relationship with other PPV circulating in the US and Canada. Furthermore, we describe the existence of two different ORFV phylogenetic groups that are clearly host associated (sheep or goat). Evidence of directional selection at five specific amino acid residues in the enveloped glycoprotein B2L might help to support this host predilection. Collectively, the results generated in this study highlight the importance of PPV genus in Mexico and open the possibility for future studies describing with more detail the importance of this genus in North America.

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