Beak and feather disease virus genotypes in Australian parrots reveal flexible host-switching

Sarker, S.;Forwood, J.K.;Ghorashi, S.A.;Peters, A.;Raidal, S.R.

Abstract

Objective: To discover beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) genotypes in Australian parrots that might threaten vulnerable and endangered psittacine bird species. Methods: Phylogenetic analyses of new DNA sequence data from Australian birds including the Rep gene (n=55) and nine whole genomes, were compared with all available published BFDV genomes to assess host- and geographically-based divergence as well as probable host-switch events. Results: Strong support for flexible host-switching and recombination was detected, indicating active cross-species transmission in various subpopulations. Conclusion: The data suggested that all endangered Australian psittacine bird species are equally likely to be infected by BFDV genotypes from any other close or distantly related host reservoir species.

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Australian Veterinary Journal

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1751-0813

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Wiley-Blackwell

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DOI

10.1111/avj.12389