Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) is a potentially fatal disease of psittacine birds. Avian bornavirus (ABV), the causative agent of PDD, causes inflammation of the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems. Clinically, birds affected by PDD present with gastrointestinal tract dysfunction, neurological symptoms, or both. In this study, we evaluated the presence of proventriculus dilation and ABV in 40 birds (cockatiel, n = 12; budgerigar, n = 28), submitted to the veterinary clinic, by radiology and RT-PCR. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs and feather samples were taken from 36 live birds including the cockatiel and budgerigar, as well as samples of proventriculus from four autopsied birds. After reviewing the radiographs, 55.5% of the evaluated birds had proventriculus dilatation, and according to RT-PCR results, 47.5% of samples were positive. In most cases, radiology and RT-PCR results matched together very well, but in some cases, differences were observed. These discrepancies between the results of these two assays require further studies. Based on the results of this study, the prevalence of ABV was high in the region, and the importance of hygiene and testing of new birds should be emphasized. Simultaneous evaluation of the bird with these two methods is helpful for the diagnosis of PDD.

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