Diagnosis of Avian Metapneumovirus infection

Clinical signs are indicative of aMPV infection however a definitive diagnosis requires laboratory tests.

Clinical signs and lesions

Diagnosis of aMPV infection on the basis of clinical signs alone is very difficult.

• Respiratory signs – Respiratory signs are seen in many other respiratory diseases such as Newcastle Disease, Infectious Coryza or, in chickens, Infectious Bronchitis. These diseases often present in a mild form making it impossible to distinguish one from the other.
• Decreased egg production and poor egg quality – The occurrence of a drop in egg productionis even less specific.
• Post mortem findings are often not conclusive.

For a definitive diagnosis of aMPV infection, laboratory tests are required.