EN
Polyomavirus was diagnosed in a canary (Serinus canaria) colony with signs of debilitation and mortality among young (mostly six-weeks-old) and adult birds, which rarely survived longer than two years. The main pathological changes in necropsied canaries were splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and kidney swelling. Microscopically, intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed in the liver and kidneys. Necrotic and inflammatory changes were also present in these organs. Less susceptibility was observed in red and black glosters, and in agate canaries. Concurrent infections, such as mycobacteriosis, coccidiosis, atoxoplasma, and bornavirus, were detected in individual birds. Diagnosis was confirmed by a nested PCR test. Polyomavirus appears to have been the primary etiological agent of the disease and immunosuppression.