EVALUATION OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN AVIAN PARAMYXOVIRUSES ISOLATED FROM BIRDS OF THE FAMILY COLUMBIDAE

The prototype virus for the PMV-7 serotype of avian paramyxoviruses, PMV-7/dove/Tennessee/4/75 (Tn/4) and five other isolates obtained from birds of the Columbidae family, which had been shown to be distinct from PMV-1 serotype, were tested for antigenic relationships between themselves and to other avian paramyxoviruses. By serological tests and analysis of structural polypeptides the viruses appeared to be distinct from other avian paramyxoviruses. One isolate appeared to be very closely related to Tn/4. Three other isolates showed only minor relationships to these two but were very closely related to each other. However, the sixth virus, pigeon/Japan/Otaru/76, showed high levels of homology in haemagglutination inhibition tests and at least one line of identity in immunodoublediffusion tests with all five of the other isolates.