Genetic analysis of beak and feather disease virus derived from a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) in Japan

Abstract

Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD), which is caused by beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), has been reported in a wide range of psittacine species, except the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), in which PBFD has rarely been reported. We detected BFDV from a case of PBFD in a cockatiel in the present study. The virus was designated CO-JA. The whole genome sequence of CO-JA had from 86 to 98% homology with BFDVs in psittacine species. CO-JA clustered with isolates derived from other cockatoos in phylogenetic analyses based on two major virus proteins. We concluded that genetic data cannot explain the reason why PBFD is rarely found in the cockatiel.