Question about PCR Analysis

[Starwing]

So after having a phonecall with the avian vet two days ago,
yesterday I received the official result that Kobus tested positive for PBFD.

The method used in testing is referred to as PCR, and I have read that PCR
can be used to test feathers, a "swap", or blood.

The document however mentioned Kobus was tested using feathers and
"a swap". This made me wonder, by "a swap", are they talking about fecal
matter, or in fact blood?

The vet díd take blood, at the time, and his gender wás determined by
DNA from the blood (seperate document).

Ofcourse, I'm probably instinctively clinging to faint flutters of hope,
but since I am aware that PBFD can eitherway be in the blood, but also
"just" in the feathers without causing the actual disease, is it possible
that they only used the blood to determine Kobus' gender, and not to
actually determine the presence of the virus?

Ofcourse, it's probably a long shot, but here's hoping...

In other related topics, I'm definitely getting Kobus tested again in a
couple of months since I downright refuse to give up hope on us.

Although the evening when I heard the results through the phone was the
first time in probably literally ten years I have cried, and some crying I did,
the initial feeling of utter hopelessness, despair and terror have subsided and
have made careful place for a "just sad" acceptance of the situation at hand.

My fear that I would be unable to treat Kobus as the lovable (yet fierce)
little critter that he is luckily turned out to be unfounded, since this
morning, I had an amazing time with him just sitting on my lap, reluctantly
letting me pet him, only to hop over to my girlfriend within a couple of minutes as is usual for him.

I love Kobus so much it literally hurts, but I do believe that in the grand
scheme of things life and it's value is not measured by length but by love.

Nevertheless, we're going to aim for beating this thing together, and in the
meanwhile, nothing that comes tomorrow can rob us of our time today.

Much love to you all, we'll keep you posted and keep sharing our life with Kobus with you!

 

[OOwl]

Sometimes when the sample is small, the lab uses a swab on the sample submitted and runs the test on that material (feather pulp, blood smear, environmental swabbing, vent swab, feathers, etc.). Since it WAS a swab and not listed as "blood," that's all the reason more to re-test since environmental cross-contamination could have occurred. You know, with humans, we always do a confirmation test on something this serious before declaring the condition a reality. The feathers you posted looked like normal molted feathers to me. A bird with true PBFD has very distinctive feather changes, including pinched shafts that are black and full of blood and dried blood. I didn't see that in your pictures. I've also, like I said in another post, never seen an Amazon with PBFD. I'm sure some exist but the statistics I've seen list that grouped WITH Macaws (for what reason I do not know) and at that the TWO types represent less than 4% of known cases. Birds also can test positive to PBFD temporarily if they are exposed while they're building antibodies to the virus. That's why so many people are encouraging you to re-test in a few months. Personally, I'd re-test TODAY and in a few months. If I was you, I'd check to see if the two labs here (Avian Biotech and Research Associates) would run the test even though you're in another country. The sample goes in a plastic bag and is mailed. It'd be worth an email or phone call to ask them about that.

I fear PBFD because my favorite parrot is the Lovebird and they are known carriers (about 30-40% of them look fine and carry the virus), so I test a LOT because I do have a small flock of them in my bird family. I also have a cockatoo and a grey, both species that are known to be super susceptible to the PBFD virus, so I'm super careful since it's my job to ensure they are safe since I also decide to keep lovebirds around them. I have used both labs I mentioned and I trust them. In fact, my own avian vet uses the RAL lab, as well.

I sincerely hope your bird does not have PBFD. He looks vibrantly healthy and happy. I'd sure hate for you to be grieving his diagnosis on a mistaken test. Hoping for the best for you.

 

[Minimaker]

I wanted to have my conure tested before purchasing a macaw and I was looking on that website at my options. It seems they have a panel test:
Psittacine Tri-Plex Panel

Avian Polyomavirus, Chlamydophila psittaci
Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease

Are these the most common and would most likely cover my bases to make sure a new macaw will be safe around a new bird?

I don't want to transmit diseases between birds and the new one will already be tested and safe. My little conure wasn't from such a good place and I don't know if he's safe.

Please keep us posted on what happens with Kobus, Starwing. I hope she's ok with my whole heart for your sake and hers

 

[Birdman666]

These tests are pretty accurate. Few false positives.

Really your best hope probably lies in that he's one of the bird that carries the virus but doesn't get affected by it. And the instance of that is actually fairly high 15-31%.

 

[RavensGryf]

A bird with true PBFD has very distinctive feather changes, including pinched shafts that are black and full of blood and dried blood. I didn't see that in your pictures. I've also, like I said in another post, never seen an Amazon with PBFD.

But as you know, a bird can be a contagious carrier without feather changes. Any Psittacine species can get PBFD, though some are more susceptible and succumb more easily.

I wanted to have my conure tested before purchasing a macaw and I was looking on that website at my options. It seems they have a panel test:
Avian Polyomavirus,
Chlamydophila psittaci
Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease

Are these the most common and would most likely cover my bases to make sure a new macaw will be safe around a new bird?


Please keep us posted on what happens with Kobus, Starwing. I hope she's ok with my whole heart for your sake and hers

Polyoma usually is a higher concern in nestlings and very young birds, and a few certain species as adults far as I know are highly susceptible.

Chlamydia (Psittacosis) is bacterial NOT viral, and IS curable if caught early. If you've had the bird for a while and isn't showing symptoms, I might not worry, unless you want to have the test just to be thorough. The reason this disease is taken so seriously is that it can be a human health risk, and it can make you very ill.

**PBFD is one to test for sure.

**I'd also say Bornavirus (cause of PDD), another fairly common fatal virus.

I've always heard the PCR tests are very sensitive and use both swabs and blood I thought.