UNUSUAL LESIONS ASSOCIATED WITH AVIAN POXVIRUS INFECTION IN ROSY-FACED LOVEBIRDS (AGAPORNIS-ROSEICOLLIS)

An epornitic of avian pox occurred in rosy-faced lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis). The infected birds showed a variety of lesions including cutaneous, diphtheritic, systemic and oncogenic entities. Proliferati ve changes with cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the cornea, bursa of F abricius, and cranial and nasal bones which were found in the present cases have not been described previously. Electron microscopic examina tion of the skin, cornea, and cranial and nasal bones revealed poxviru s virions in the inclusions. Secondary infection of candidiasis was ve ry common in cutaneous pox lesions.