seroprevalence of hepatitis e virus in four species of parrots in china

In this study, antibodies against avian Hepatitis E Virus (avian HEV) were detected in 6.43% of examined serum samples (n=311) from budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), lovebirds (Agapornis sp.), cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) and Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria) by indirect ELISA. Seroprevalence of avian HEV infection in different parrot species varied from 0 to 7.92%. Statistical analysis of the origins of parrots demonstrated that parrots from Weifang city had a higher avian HEV seropositivity (7.84%) compared with parrots from Beijing city (5.06%). The seroprevalence in parrots of different age groups varied from 4 to 7.62%. The avian HEV seroprevalence in parrots examined in spring and summer was 7.19 and 5.81%, respectively. This is the first report of avian HEV seroprevalence in four species of parrots in China, which will provide base-line data for the control of HEV infection in parrots in China.