Cytomegalovirus-like Conjunctivitis in Australian Finches

An epidemic of conjuctivitis and respiratory distress among captive Australian finches is reported. The mortality rate was approximately 70 percent. Characteristic clinical signs included severe conjunctivitis, dyspnea, depression and anorexia. Light microscopy revealed numerous basophilic intranuclear inclusions in karyomegalic epithelial cells of conjunctiva, esophagus and conducting respiratory tracts. Upon ultrastructural examination of the conjunctiva, numerous viral particles were seen in the epithelial cells, manifesting the characteristic cytomegalovirus morphogenesis.