Psittacine Circovirus Antibody Detection and an Update on the Methods for Diagnosis of Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease

Blood samples on filter-paper and plasma from two groups of psittacine birds were tested for anti-psittacine circovirus antibodies by haemagglutination inhibition (HI). Antibody titres of filter-paper blood samples eluted with 100 μL of buffer were not significantly different to those of plasma. The filter-paper method allowed the collection and processing of smaller volumes of blood than required for preparation of serum or plasma. Special equipment or storage conditions were not required for transport of filter-paper samples to the laboratory, and fewer technical steps and time were involved in antibody detection. The use and interpretation of the test in relation to other methods currently available for diagnosing psittacine beak and feather disease is reviewed.