Novel avian hepadnaviruses in passerine birds

Abstract We identified hepadnaviruses in passerine birds. The virus was detected in four eggs from Gouldian finches ( Chloebia gouldiae ), in three feather quills, and in a liver sample from other ornamental birds. The full-length circular genome (~3 kb in length) of hepadnavirus strains detected in a Gouldian finch, a Society finch ( Lonchura striata domestica ) and a Long-tailed finch ( Poephila acuticauda ) was reconstructed. Hepadnavirus replicative circular DNA was detected in the egg and quill samples, suggesting the presence of cccDNA in these sites. The viruses were genetically distantly related to other avian hepadnaviruses and endogenous hepadnavirus elements, suggesting geographical or host-species restriction in passerine birds.