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Page updated: November 18, 2023
DOI: 10.3201/eid2912.230250
Siobhan Hurley1
, John Sebastian Eden1, John Bingham, Michael Rodriguez, Matthew J. Neave, Alexandra Johnson, Annaleise R. Howard-Jones, Jen Kok, Antoinette Anazodo, Brendan McMullan, David T. Williams, James Watson, Annalisa Solinas, Ki Wook Kim2, and William Rawlinson2
Abstract
Avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1) is a virus of birds that results in a range of outcomes, from asymptomatic infections to outbreaks of systemic respiratory and neurologic disease, depending on the virus strain and the avian species affected. Humans are rarely affected; those who are predominantly experience mild conjunctivitis. We report a fatal case of neurologic disease in a 2-year-old immunocompromised child in Australia. Metagenomic sequencing and histopathology identified the causative agent as the pigeon variant of APMV-1. This diagnosis should be considered in neurologic conditions of undefined etiologies. Agnostic metagenomic sequencing methods are useful in such settings to direct diagnostic and therapeutic efforts.
DOI: 10.3201/eid2912.230250
Siobhan Hurley1
, John Sebastian Eden1, John Bingham, Michael Rodriguez, Matthew J. Neave, Alexandra Johnson, Annaleise R. Howard-Jones, Jen Kok, Antoinette Anazodo, Brendan McMullan, David T. Williams, James Watson, Annalisa Solinas, Ki Wook Kim2, and William Rawlinson2Abstract
Avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1) is a virus of birds that results in a range of outcomes, from asymptomatic infections to outbreaks of systemic respiratory and neurologic disease, depending on the virus strain and the avian species affected. Humans are rarely affected; those who are predominantly experience mild conjunctivitis. We report a fatal case of neurologic disease in a 2-year-old immunocompromised child in Australia. Metagenomic sequencing and histopathology identified the causative agent as the pigeon variant of APMV-1. This diagnosis should be considered in neurologic conditions of undefined etiologies. Agnostic metagenomic sequencing methods are useful in such settings to direct diagnostic and therapeutic efforts.