Avian borna virus or ABV infects different species of birds. In captive parrots, it can cause the enlargement of the glandular part of the stomach known as proventricular dilatation disease (PDD). The present research wanted to check whether ABV is present in some species of birds in Slovenia. For this purpose, samples of 62 pet parrots of different species and 250 wild humpback swans were tested. RT-PCR and qRT-PCR were used to detect viral RNA in bird samples. To ensure the quality of the sample, an internal control in the form of a primer and a probe on rRNA was included, with which the concentration of 18s RNA could be monitored, thus avoiding false negative results because of bad samples. The study found ABV in 15 out of 45 live/sick parrots (33%) and in 7 out of 17 parrots (41%) that died. Sequence comparisons revealed that the infected parrots were positive for the PaBV-4 genotype belonging to the Psittaciform 1 orthobornavirus species. Samples of 250 dead humpback swans were analysed. ABV nucleic acid was detected in 5 swans (2%). Through sequencing, the ABBV-1 genotype belonging to the Waterbird 1 orthobornavirus species was identified in ABV-positive humpback swans. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that in Slovenia ABV is present in some captive parrots and humpback swans, and that both methods used are fast, sensitive and satisfactorily specific, thus suitable for routine diagnostics in birds.
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