Another step forward in Testing for PDD

[kellywess]

I know there have been a lot of questions here lately about Borna Virus and PDD. I am on a PDD Support Group because I like to keep up with new findings and stay updated with the progress of what researchers are finding out about this disease, possible testing and supportive care etc. No, I do not live with this disease, I just feel it responsible and necessary to be informed of what is going on. What a lot of bird owners do not realize is that they could be living with this disease and not even know it. I feel it is better to be educated and prepared as opposed to thinking it could never happen to me. It can incubate for as studies have shown up to 10 years or better. Progress is being made every week. Here is what I have learned this week.

There were several talks at the last AFA Convention on PDD and testing for it. (Next year come to AFA in St. Petersburg so YOU will hear all the new vet news, too).

Drs Tizard and Hoppes of the Schubot Center explained the following:
1. The virus is shed intermittently in the feces so one negative on one fecal sample is not definitive.

2. The fecal sample needs to be fresh (no more than one hour old) but can be preserved by freezing. So if you wanted to collect several samples over several weeks or months, you could collect fresh samples, freeze them, and have them pooled together for testing. That would be a lot cheaper than testing each one separately.

3. Texas A&M Schubot Centerwill do the PDD testing for $30, too. I believe Avian Biotech will also do PDD testing, for about the same price. And Research Associates Lab, as mentioned, will do the testing for $30. It is a straightforward test, thanks to one of the earlier discoverers of the Borna virus who were good enough to publish the viral gene sequences.

4. Contact the lab who will do your testing for how to ship. Dr. Tizard said dry ice isn't necessary, but ice is. Ask the lab!

Now, PCR testing is definitive BUT you need to always worry about contamination. So if you get a positive result, on ANY ANY ANY test, including PDD, ALWAYS HAVE THAT RESULT VERIFIED BY A SECOND TEST. One viral particle that accidentaly contaminates your sample at the testing lab can give a false positive. Always retest for ANY positive.

Good luck to all who are worrying about this virus in their birds.

[hollyhawkz]

Great update, thanks. I wonder if there is anyone in Canada?

[LovelySydney]

Thanks for sharing, thats always great information to know.

[adekloet]

Borna virus is a RNA virus and the causative agent for Borna Disease. Borna virus is found in many different species of animals including humans. Avian Borna virus ABV, like Avian Rabies, Herpes virus, Poliovirus, is a neurotrophic virus that prefers to infect nerve cells. ABV is an extremely unstable virus and does not remain viable outside the host for very long. ABV is also shed intermittently. Thus rtPCR results are not always consistent because of the shedding issue and the instability of the virus. Similar problem persist with PCR testing for Avian Herpes virus and Chlamydia.

Samples for rtPCR should be sent in RNA preservative and not a dry or culture swab. Because ABV is a neurotrophic virus research indicates that the virus is not found in the blood therefore, blood samples are not to be used for rtPCR.

Serological assays like ELISA and Western Blot look for ABV specific antibodies. This method has been proven to be more reliable in identifying exposed and infected ABV birds. Serum samples are extremely stable and consistent. Currently, only one lab offers both methods of identifying ABV infected birds

Borna virus can cause the hosts immune system to over respond causing what is often referred to as PDD. PDD is a lymphocyte infiltration to the proventriculus (fore stomach), ventriculus (gizzard), and areas of the small intestines. As a result of the damage, birds are unable to digest their food properly. I some cases, birds positive for ABV may take years if not decades to develop PDD. It is also possible that some birds infected with ABV may never develop PDD.

CELEBREX is not a cure for ABV infected birds. It will not reduce viral load or inhibit viral replication. In many cases CELEBREX and other NSAIDs will reduce the immune’s response, thus reducing inflammation and in turn the symptoms known as PDD.

CELEBREX is a NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Other NSAIDs are
• Ibuprofen
• Meloxicam
• Naproxen
Antiviral drugs and recombinant vaccines are being tested right now by us at ABI, and results look pretty promising at this time.

Hope this helps.