Isolation and Characterization of Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease Virus in Saudi Arabia Using Molecular Technique

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) is a contagious, fatal viral disease that affects the beak, feathers, and immune system of wild and captive old and New World Psittacine. PBFD is characterized by feather abnormalities, beak and claw deformities and eventually dying as a result of immunosuppressant. The disease is caused by member of the genus circovirus in the family Circoviridae. The disease diagnosed by clinical signs and laboratory detections. The serological diagnosis by haemagglutination (HA) and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) is subjective but molecular technique using Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most reliable means for confirming the presence of the PBFDV ambience DNA genome in whole blood or tissue samples. Many birds were presented to the veterinary clinic with clinical signs of PBFD. No reports document the presence of PBFDV in KSA to date. Therefore, the objective of this work was to investigate the presence of PBFDV in KSA using PCR. Total 175 samples (blood and feathers) from clinically-suspect, and apparently-health birds from 10 different psittacine species were collected, DNA was extracted and conventional PCR was performed. The viral DNA was identified in six samples (6/175) four Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus), and two ring necks (Psittacula eupatria eupatria). PBFDV was identified for the first time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). During this investigation, we developed a technique for faster and simpler processing of multiple feather samples. The isolated PBFDV could be characterize and use as positive control for further research purpose. We recommend that the Rep gene feather-based PCR technique be established as a routine diagnostic tool in quarantine facilities across the country.