Hj. Els et D. Josling, VIRUSES AND VIRUS-LIKE PARTICLES IDENTIFIED IN OSTRICH GUT CONTENTS, Journal of the South African Veterinary Medical Association, 69(3), 1998, pp. 74-80
Samples of either gut content from ostriches showing symptoms of enter
itis, or allantoic fluid of eggs inoculated with ostrich isolates, wer
e examined for the presence of viral agents by direct negative-contras
t electron microscopy. Only a few virus types could be identified with
certainty, namely a circovirus (1 sample), a coronavinus (1 sample),
a member of either the toga- or bunyaviridae (1 sample), enterovirus (
16 samples) and paramyxovirus (26 samples). A large number of samples
contained structures resembling myxovirus particles that were interpre
ted as fringed membranous particles of non-viral origin. An unusual ob
servation of probable single-strand nucleocapsid helices, possibly ori
ginating from digested plant material and which were identified in a n
umber of small intestine samples, is reported. This is the 1st report
of a spectrum of viruses and virus-like particles occurring in enteric
samples from ostriches in South Africa. The low incidence and variety
of viruses reported here contribute to the multifactorial origin and
complexity of enteric disease in ostriches as well as in other birds a
nd mammalian species.