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Interpreting the Results of the Psittacine Beak and Feather DNA probe test.

• A. If Bird Has Dystrophic, Necrotic Feathers and you Test Blood for PBFD Virus using DNA probes:*

  • 1. If Positive: Suggests Active Infection

    Management:

    If bird is from a breeding aviary: Bird should be removed and all areas that could be contaminated with feather dust from the infected bird should be repeatedly cleaned. If companion bird: Bird should not be exposed to other birds outside of the household and you should be aware that the virus can be transported to other locations on your clothes or in your hair. Be courteous of other birds and do not expose them. It should be noted that, occasionally, some PBFD infected Psittaciformes of South American descent have spontaneously recovered from the disease.

  • 2. If Negative: A feather biopsy (including the feather follicle) should be submitted for histopathologic examination.

• B. If Bird's Feathers are Normal and you Test Blood for PBFD Virus using DNA probes:*

  • 1. If Positive: Indicates that the bird has been exposed to PBFD virus and that the virus is present in the blood. The bird must be retested in 90 days. If the bird is negative when retested, it indicates that the virus was not detected in the blood cells. If the bird is still positive, it indicates that the bird is either clinically infected or that the bird is being repeatedly exposed to the virus. It should be noted that most birds that are exposed to the PBFD virus develop a transient viremia followed by an appropriate immune response that results in the bird clearing the infection.

  • 2. If Negative: Indicates that PBFD virus was not detected in the blood.

*Testing available from:

INFECTIOUS DISEASES LABORATORY

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY

COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

ATHENS, GA 30602-7386

Phone: 706-542-5812 FAX: 706-542-5233

** Please feel free to duplicate and distribute.

Branson W. Ritchie, D.V.M., Ph.D.
College of Veterinary Medicine
Small Animal Dept.
Athens, GA 30602

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