Four genotypes of the psittacid herpesvirus (PsHV) cause Pacheco disease in parrots. Viruses that are serologically cross-reactive to the PsHVs have also been isolated from passerine species. DNA was amplified from a herpesvirus isolated from a superb starling (Lamprotornis superbus) with PsHV-specific primers and polymerase chain reaction. A comparison of the partial sequence of the UL 16 gene from this herpesvirus with sequences from viruses of known PsHV genotypes showed that the herpesvirus from the superb starling was a PsHV genotype 1 virus. This finding expands the range of birds that are known to be susceptible to PsHV genotype 1 infections and suggests that PsHVs should be considered as a differential in passerines with herpesvirus infections.
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1 January 2004
Genetic Characterization of a Herpesvirus Isolate from a Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus) as a Psittacid Herpesvirus Genotype 1
Elizabeth K. Tomaszewski,
Marcus Gravendyck,
Erhard F. Kaleta,
David N. Phalen
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Avian Diseases
Vol. 48 • No. 1
January 2004
Vol. 48 • No. 1
January 2004
genotype 1
Lamprotornis superbus
psittacid herpesvirus
superb starling