Avian Polyomavirus: My Thoughts

The avian polyomavirus is one of the most significant viral pathogens of cage birds. It results in substantial economic losses for aviculturalists and pet store owners each year. The biology of this virus is complex and as a result veterinarians and aviculturalists alike are often very confused about how to best prevent this virus infection and once confronted with it, how to minimize its impact. This confusion is exacerbated by the current debate that is on going in the research community about the nature of this virus and its control. The two sides of this debate are represented by Dr. Branson Ritchie and members of his research team at the University of Georgia, on the one hand and on the other by Dr. Jack Gaskin at the University of Florida, Drs. Bob Dahlhausen and Steve Radabaugh at Research Associates in Ohio, and myself. Dr. Ritchie has used many forums to discuss his views and feels strongly that vaccination is an important and economically feasible means of control of this disease. Dr. Gaskin, in a letter to the editor of the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery has expressed some serious reservations about the usefulness of a polyomavirus vaccine.15 The issue of testing and its value and which test to use has also be a source of contention. It is the purpose of this document to address these issues, both for the aviculturalist and the veterinarian. I feel that his article is timely, as our knowledge biology and behavior of this virus has grown significantly in the past few years.