Emerging Microbes and Infections (Dec 2023)

Severe pigeon paramyxovirus 1 infection in a human case with probable post-COVID-19 condition

  • Shujuan Cui,
  • Hui Xiong,
  • Zhaomin Feng,
  • Yanhui Chu,
  • Chengli Que,
  • Jingning Qin,
  • Yang Pan,
  • Kunyao Yu,
  • Lei Jia,
  • Xi Yao,
  • Jiping Liao,
  • Da Huo,
  • Cuiyan Guo,
  • Hao Zhao,
  • Meng Xu,
  • Yanan Tian,
  • Qing Peng,
  • Fu Li,
  • Hui Xu,
  • Runsheng Hong,
  • Daitao Zhang,
  • Guangfa Wang,
  • Peng Yang,
  • George F. Gao,
  • Quanyi Wang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2023.2251600
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 2

Abstract

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Pigeon paramyxovirus 1 (PPMV-1) is an antigenic host variant of avian paramyxovirus 1. Sporadic outbreaks of PPMV-1 infection have occurred in pigeons in China; however, few cases of human PPMV-1 infection have been reported. The purpose of this article is to report a case of severe human PPMV-1 infection in an individual with probable post-COVID-19 syndrome (long COVID) who presented with rapidly progressing pulmonary infection. The patient was a 66-year-old man who was admitted to the intensive care unit 11 days after onset of pneumonia and recovered 64 days after onset. PPMV-1 was isolated from the patient’s sputum and in cloacal smear samples from domesticated pigeons belonging to the patient’s neighbour. Residual severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was detected in respiratory and anal swab samples from the patient. Sequencing analyses revealed that the PPMV-1 genome belonged to genotype VI.2.1.1.2.2 and had the 112RRQKRF117 motif in the cleavage site of the fusion protein, which is indicative of high virulence. This case of cross-species transmission of PPMV-1 from a pigeon to a human highlights the risk of severe PPMV-1 infection in immunocompromised patients, especially those with long COVID. Enhanced surveillance for increased risk of severe viral infection is warranted in this population.

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