Biological and molecular characterization of a pigeon paramyxovirus type-1isolate found in Argentina

In this report, we describe the biological and molecular characterization o f a paramyxovirus type-1 (PPMV-1) isolate found in wild pigeons in an urban habitat in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Of the nine pigeons captured, three we re moribund, and the other six showed diarrhea, ataxia, tremor, torticolis, and wing paralysis. The intracerebral pathogenicity index was 1.29, and th e amino acid (aa) sequence at the fusion protein cleavage site was (112)GRQ KRF(113). These characteristics correspond to a virulent Newcastle disease virus isolate. Nevertheless, it was not possible to reproduce the disease i n chickens experimentally although the chickens exhibited seroconversion af ter inoculation. On the other hand, pigeons inoculated with the isolate bec ame sick. These results provide further evidence about the unusual pathogen icity of PPMV-1 for chickens and show once more the need for more biologica l determinations in these cases to arrive at a final conclusion.