Molecular detection of pigeon circoviruses in liver samples of dead pigeons suspected of circovirus infection

Young Pigeon Disease Syndrome (YPDS) is a disorder that results in deaths in domestic and ornamental pigeons, especially after the race. Young pigeons are usually less than one year old are affected and show nonspecific symptoms such as anorexia, diarrhea, and accumulation of water and food in the crop. Pigeon circovirus (PiCV) has recently been suggested as a potential contributor to YPDS. In this study, which was performed for the first time in Khuzestan province, 16 liver samples were collected from 16 dead pigeons in Ahvaz. The clinical symptoms of sick birds in the herd included lethargy, anorexia, weight loss with watery green and yellow diarrhea. Microtubes containing liver samples were sent to the laboratory separately. DNA was extracted for the PCR test. Nested-PCR test was used to identify pigeon circoviruses. The results of this study showed that circovirus was detected in 10 liver samples of dead pigeons (62.5%), which is the first molecular detection of PiCV in liver samples of dead pigeons in Ahvaz. Due to the infection of pigeons in Ahvaz city with PiCV, this issue should be considered during clinical examinations of pigeons that have symptoms such as sudden death, vomiting, acute watery diarrhea, and weight loss, to be differentiated from similar diseases and to use fair supportive medicine and prevent useless treatments.