Molecular Survey of Pathogens in Wild Amazon Parrot Nestlings: Implications for Conservation

South America presents the greatest Psittacidae diversity in world, but also has highest numbers of threatened parrot species. Recently, exotic viruses have been detected captive native psittacine birds Brazil, however, their impacts on health wild parrots are still unknown. We evaluated presence Chlamydia psittaci, Psittacid alphaherpesvirus 1 (PsHV-1), avipoxvirus and beak feather disease virus (BFDV) Amazona aestiva, A. brasiliensis pretrei nestlings caught aestiva seized from illegal trade. Samples were collected 205 90 trade pathogen-specific PCR was performed for each sample. DNA prevalence 4.7% 2.5% sampled wild. Sequencing revealed that C. psittaci sample belonged to genotype PsHV-1, BFDV not detected. These results conservation implications since they suggest populations a low selected pathogens and, apparently, reached by BFDV. Stricter protocols should be established as condition reintroduction guarantee protection Neotropical parrots.