Lentogenic strains of Newcastle disease virus in pigeons
Vindevogel, H.; Thiry, E.; Pastoret, P.P.; Meulemans, G.
Veterinary Record 110(21): 497-499
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 7112862 Document Number: 186616
Three lentogenic strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were isolated in Belgium from pigeons presenting respiratory but no nervous signs. The birds came from regions of the greatest concentration of domestic poultry. One of the lentogenic strains and a La Sota strain proved to be experimentally mildly pathogenic for pigeons. In a serological survey of 58 pigeons with respiratory symptoms four had positive NDV antibodies. Pigeons may thus play a role in the dissemination of NDV lentogenic strains.