Zoonotic Infection with Pigeon Paramyxovirus Type 1 linked to Fatal Pneumonia.
Citations
Altmetric:
Series / Report no.
Open Access
Type
Article
Language
en
Date
2018-01-24
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Title
Zoonotic Infection with Pigeon Paramyxovirus Type 1 linked to Fatal Pneumonia.
Translated Title
Published in
J Infect Dis 2018; advance online publication (ahead of print)
Abstract
The characteristics and risk factors of pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1) infection in humans are poorly known. We performed virological, pathological and epidemiological analyses of a Dutch case, and compared the results with those of a US case. Both infections occurred in transplant patients under immunosuppressive therapy and caused fatal respiratory failure. Both virus isolates clustered with avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1) genotype VIb/1, which has pigeons and doves as reservoir. Experimentally inoculated pigeons became infected and transmitted the virus to naïve pigeons. Likely route of transmission to both patients was direct or indirect contact with infected pigeons or doves. Given the large populations of feral pigeons with endemic PPMV-1 infection in cities, increasing urbanisation and a higher proportion of immunocompromised individuals, the risk of severe human PPMV-1 infections may increase. We recommend to test for APMV-1, including PPMV-1, in respiratory disease cases where common respiratory pathogens cannot be identified.