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Evidence of avian poxvirus and papillomavirus infection in Gyps fulvus in Italy

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Abstract

The identification of avian poxvirus and avian papillomavirus associated with cutaneous lesions in griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) by histopathology, electron microscopy and PCR analysis is reported. Sequence analysis of the fpv140 gene revealed 99% identity to two poxviruses obtained from a white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and a common buzzard (Buteo buteo). Partial sequence of the papillomavirus L1 gene showed sequence similarity to papillomavirus LI genes from African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) (69% identity), duck (Anas platyrhynchos) (68% identity), and yellow-necked francolin (Francolinus leucoscepus) (66% identity). To date, this is the first identification of avian poxvirus and papillomavirus in griffon vultures and the first evidence of infection of both viruses in live wild birds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Loc. Piano D’Accio, 64100, Teramo, Italy

    Cristina E. Di Francesco, Francesca Profeta, Mariarita Romanucci, Leonardo Della Salda & Fulvio Marsilio

  2. Società Italiana Medicina Veterinaria Preventiva, SIMeVeP, Via Nizza 11, 00198, Rome, Italy

    Roberto Zuccarini

  3. Comando Regione Carabinieri Forestale Abruzzo e Molise Via delle Fratte Snc, L’Aquila, Italy

    Tiziana Altea

  4. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100, Teramo, Italy

    Daniela Malatesta

Authors
  1. Cristina E. Di Francesco
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  2. Francesca Profeta
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  4. Roberto Zuccarini
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Correspondence to Cristina E. Di Francesco.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Handling Editor: William G Dundon.

Leonardo Della Salda is co-senior author.

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Di Francesco, C.E., Profeta, F., Romanucci, M. et al. Evidence of avian poxvirus and papillomavirus infection in Gyps fulvus in Italy. Arch Virol 164, 291–295 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-018-4055-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-018-4055-8