Unusual lesions associated with avian poxvirus infection in rosy-faced lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis)

An epornitic of avian pox occurred in rosy-faced lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis). The infected birds showed a variety of lesions including cutaneous, diphtheritic, systemic and oncogenic entities. Proliferative changes with cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the cornea, bursa of Fabricius, and cranial and nasal bones which were found in the present cases have not been described previously. Electron microscopic examination of the skin, cornea, and cranial and nasal bones revealed poxvirus virions in the inclusions. Secondary infection of candidiasis was very common in cutaneous pox lesions.