Publikationsdatenbank

Is penguin circovirus circulating only in the Antarctic circle?
Lack of viral detection in Namibia (2023)

Art

Zeitschriftenartikel / wissenschaftlicher Beitrag

Autoren

Roberts, Laura C.

Molini, Umberto

Coetzee, Lauren M.

Khaiseb, Siegfried

Roux, Jean-Paul

Kemper, Jessica

Roberts, David G.

Ludynia, Katrin

Doherr, Marcus G (WE 16)

Abernethy, Darrell

Franzo, Giovanni

Quelle

Animals

Bandzählung: 13

Heftzählung: 9

Seiten: 1449

ISSN: 2076-2615

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/9/1449

DOI: 10.3390/ani13091449

Pubmed: 37174486

Kontakt

Institut für Veterinär-Epidemiologie und Biometrie

Königsweg 67
14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 56034
epi@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

The known host range of circoviruses is continuously expanding because of more intensive diagnostic activities and advanced sequencing tools. Recently, a new circovirus (penguin circovirus (PenCV)) was identified in the guano and cloacal samples collected from Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) and chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) in Antarctica. Although the virus was detected in several asymptomatic subjects, a potential association with feather disease was speculated. To investigate the occurrence and implications of PenCV in other penguin species located outside of Antarctica, a broad survey was undertaken in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) on two islands off the southern Namibian coast. For this purpose, specific molecular biology assays were developed and validated. None of the 151 blood samples tested positive for PenCV. Several reasons could explain the lack of PenCV positive samples. African penguins and Pygoscelis species are separated by approximately 6000 km, so there is almost no opportunity for transmission. Similarly, host susceptibility to PenCV might be penguin genus-specific. Overall, the present study found no evidence of PenCV in African penguin colonies in Namibia. Further dedicated studies are required to assess the relevance of PenCV among different penguin species.