PSITTACINE BEAK AND FEATHER DISEASE - REVIEW REPORT AND DESCRIPTION OF 5 CASES FOUND IN BELGIUM

After a literature review, the clinical and pathologic features of Psi ttacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) are described. PBFD was diagno sed in five psittacine birds. Feather loss and feather dystrophy were present in all birds. Hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of skin b iopsies revealed intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies, c haracteristic of PBFD. Results of acridine orange stained and Feulgen stained sections of feather follicles were in accordance with literatu re data on the nature of the viral nucleic acid (single-stranded DNA). Transmission electronmicroscopical examination showed intracytoplasmi c inclusions, containing viral particles in a paracrystalline array. A n adenovirus-like hepatitis was diagnosed in one case in association w ith PBFD.