• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.350-354
• /
• 2020

Many parrots are considered endangered species due to threats from human activities. Gender determination is of great importance for biological studies and the conservation of endangered parrots. However, like other birds, gender determination in parrots is hindered due to the lack of external dimorphism between males and females. A molecular approach using the chromo-helicase-DNA binding protein 1 (CHD1) gene is commonly used for sexing birds. This study aimed to determine the gender of parrots from Korean zoos based on amplification and visualization of the partial CHD1 gene. The samples of 13 parrot species were collected from three different zoos in Korea and the extracted DNA templates were amplified using CHD1 gene primers. The gender of 27 samples of 13 species was determined by visualizing the PCR products on an agarose gel. While male parrots were indicated by a single band, female parrots were indicated by double bands. The findings provide additional information, which might be helpful for the management and care of parrots in Korean zoos.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.201-209
• /
• 2024

To identify the causes of sudden death in pet parrots in this study, molecular screening was carried out to detect major psittacine viral pathogens including Psittacine beak and feather disease virus (PBFDV), Avian bornavirus (ABV), Psittacid herpesvirus 1 (PsHV-1), Avian polyomavirus, and Avian paramyxovirus serotype 1. The results showed that all six parrots were infected with PBFDV, indicating that PBFDV was likely the main cause of their deaths. Among these PBFDV-positive parrots, three were dually coinfected with PBFDV and ABV and one was triply coinfected with PBFDV, ABV and PsHV-1, indicating two viruses (ABV and PsHV-1) may also contribute to fatal outcomes of parrots. In Korea, there have been reports on the genetic characterization of PBFDV and APyV, but no reports on PsHV-1. Therefore, to further characterize PsHV-1 detected from a rosella parakeet, the partial UL16 gene was sequenced and compared with those of the reference PsHV-1 strains retrieved from the GenBank database. The Korean PsHV-1 (KPsHV-1 strain) was closely related to the genotype 1 PsHV-1 strain reported in the USA showing 100% nucleotide identity. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial UL16 gene indicated that the KPsHV-1 strain was clustered into the genotype 1 group, which supported that genotype 1 PsHV-1 was introduced in Korea. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report identifying the genotype of the PsHV-1 strain in Korean parrots. These findings contribute to our understanding of the epidemiology of psittacine viruses and the genetic characteristics of PsHV-1 among pet parrots in Korea. Further studies are needed to understand the epidemiology and genetic characteristics of psittacine viruses and to develop effective control measures for these viral infections in pet parrots.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2021

Avian haemosporidia, including malarial parasites, are geologically and biologically widespread. The protozoal pathogen has been a subject of intensive research in the past, which has resulted in major medical progress. Haemosporidia infection in avian species in South Korea has been studied in wild birds and layer flocks, but not in pet birds. At the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Chungbuk National University, 75 birds that presented for health check-up were tested to evaluate the infection rate of Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon in birds without clinical symptoms. Haemoproteus spp. and Leucocytozoon spp. were simultaneously detected in a Major Mitchell's cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri) by polymerase chain reaction, representing 1.33% of the tested birds. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the infective Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon strains were similar to those detected in foreign countries rather than those detected in the wild birds of Korea. Although the infection rate may not be indicative of a substantial infection in healthy pet parrots, the import of infected birds can pose a threat by allowing foreign pathogens to infect the local wild flocks or livestock. This is the first surveillance study of avian haemosporidia in pet parrots in South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.145-166
• /
• 2023

Parrots have been threatened by global trade to meet their high demand as pets. Controlling parrot trade is essential because parrots play a vital role in the ecosystem. Accurate species identification is crucial for controlling parrot trade. Parrots have been traded as eggs due to their advantages of lower mortality rates and more accessible transport than live parrots. A molecular method is required to identify parrot eggs because it is difficult to perform identification using morphological features. In this study, DNAs were obtained from 43 unidentified parrot eggs using a non-destructive sampling method. Partial cytochrome b (CYTB) gene was then successfully amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. Sequences newly obtained in the present study were compared to those available in the GenBank by database searching. In addition, phylogenetic analysis was conducted to identify species using available sequences in GenBank along with sequences reported in previous studies. Finally, the 43 parrot eggs were successfully identified as seven species belonging to two families and seven genera. This non-destructive sampling method for obtaining DNA and molecular identification might help control the trade of parrot eggs and prevent their illegal trade.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.216-221
• /
• 2020

Parrots are common targets for illegal trade because of their beauty and high price. Accurate identification is necessary for the prevention of illegal trade and conservation of parrots. In the present study, mitochondrial markers of cytochrome b (CYTB) gene were used to identify parrot species from Korean zoos. Totally, 27 samples were collected from Seoul Zoo, Cheongju Zoo, and Uchi Zoo. After collection, total DNA of samples was extracted and used for PCR amplification. CYTB fragments were sequenced from all samples examined. The obtained sequences were used for GenBank blast, distance estimation, and phylogenetic analysis. All species were identified using CYTB sequences that determined 27 samples belong to 13 species in 7 genera, and 3 families. Our finding demonstrated the usefulness of CYTB sequences for identifying parrot species in Korean zoos.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.193-198
• /
• 2012

Avian chlamydiosis is caused by Chlamydophila psittaci and considered as one of an important zoonotic disease throughout the world. Among more than 400 avian species including poultry and pet birds susceptible to the disease, psittacine birds were known to be mostly susceptible hosts. In Korea, no outbreak of the disease and genetic analysis of the agent in poultry and pet birds have been reported. With histopathological findings and genetic identification of a causative agent, avian chlamydiosis was identified in parrots submitted from the same pet bird farm in 2006 and 2009 for the diagnosis. Based on genetic sequences and phylogenetic analysis of ompA gene, the two isolates of Chlamydophila psittaci showed 100% of genetic similarity and belonged to genotype A, suggesting that the same agent might be continuously circulated in the farm. This result indicates that serological survey of the disease in pet bird farms and impact of the disease on significance in public health may be further studied.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.67.1-67.11
• /
• 2022

Background: Budgerigar fledgling disease polyomavirus (BFDV) is the pathogen that causes budgerigar fledgling disease in psittacine species. The clinical signs of PBFV infection include ascites, hepatitis, and crop stasis. BFDV is associated with a high mortality rate in nestling birds. In contrast, adult birds only have mild symptoms such as feather dystrophy. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, genetic characteristics, and phylogenetic analysis of BFDV in pet parrots in Korea. Methods: Fecal and tissue samples were collected from 217 pet parrots from 10 veterinary hospitals including Chungbuk National University Veterinary Hospital. The molecular screening was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the small t/large T antigen gene segment. Full-length genome sequencing with the Sanger and phylogenetic analysis were performed on BFDV-positive samples. Results: The PCR results based on the small t/large T antigen gene marker indicated that BFDV DNA was present in 10 out of 217 screened samples. A whole-genome sequence was obtained from six strains and phylogenetic analysis revealed no significant relationship existed between the species and geographical locations amongst them. Conclusions: The prevalence of BFDV infection in South Korea is not high when compared to the prevalence of BFDV in other parts of the world, however, it has been reported sporadically in various species and geographic locations. The whole-genome analysis revealed 0.2%-0.3% variation in intragenomic homogeneity among the six strains analyzed. Korean strains are separately on the phylogenetic tree from their counterparts from China and Japan which might reflect the substantial genetic variation.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.266-275
• /
• 2024

Parrots, especially the Cacatua species, are a particular focus for trade because of their mimicry, plumage, and intelligence. Indeed, Cacatua species are imported most into Korea. To manage trade in wildlife, it is essential to identify the traded species. This is conventionally achieved by morphological identification by experts, but the increasing volume of trade is overwhelming them. Identification of parrots, particularly Cacatua species, is difficult due to their similar features, leading to frequent misidentification. There is thus a need for tools to assist experts in accurately identifying Cacatua species in situ. Deep learning-based object detection models, such as the You Only Look Once (YOLO) series, have been successfully employed to classify wildlife and can help experts by reducing their workloads. Among these models, YOLO versions 5 and 8 have been widely applied for wildlife classification. The later model normally performs better, but selecting and designing a suitable model remains crucial for custom datasets, such as wildlife. Here, YOLO versions 5 and 8 were employed to classify 13 Cacatua species in the image data. Images of these species were collected from eBird, iNaturalist, and Google. The dataset was divided, with 80% used for training and validation and 20% for evaluating model performance. Model performance was measured by mean average precision, with YOLOv5 achieving 0.889 and YOLOv8 achieving 0.919. YOLOv8 was thus better than YOLOv5 at detecting and classifying Cacatua species in the examined images. The model developed here could significantly support the management of the global trade in Cacatua species.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.213-213
• /
• 2021

• Allergy, Asthma & Respiratory Disease
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.161-163
• /
• 2023

Adult-onset egg allergy is rare compared to child-onset egg allergy, and the component-resolved diagnosis test is effective in evaluating food allergy. We herein report a 24-year-old woman with late-onset egg-yolk allergy diagnosed as bird-egg syndrome. The prolonged exposure to pet parrots' dander or dropping through the respiratory system caused sensitization to the Gal d 5 component and resulted in a cross-reaction to egg yolk. Since the patient was suspected of the syndrome by her history, the skin prick test, ISAC ImmunoCAP, and serum ImmunoCAP test were performed. By confirming Gal d 5 component by ISAC ImmunoCAP, the patient was diagnosed with the syndrome. In patients with newly adult-onset food allergy, the clinician must identify the environmental conditions which can cause cross-sensitization and perform the causative component test.