The first cases of circovirus infections in pigeons were documented less than 25 years ago. Since then, circovirus infections have been reported on nearly all continents. The specificity of pigeon breeding defies biosecurity principles, which could be the reason for the high prevalence of PiCV infections. PiCV infections in pigeons lead to atrophy of immune system organs and lymphocyte apoptosis. Infected birds could be more susceptible to infections of the respiratory and digestive tract. PiCV has been associated with the young pigeon disease syndrome (YPDS). PiCVs are characterized by high levels of genetic diversity due to frequent point mutations, recombination processes in the PiCV genome and positive selection. Genetic recombinations and positive selection play the key role in the evolution of PiCV. A protocol for culturing PiCV under laboratory conditions has not yet been developed, and traditional vaccines against the infection are not available. Recombinant capsid proteins for detecting anti-PiCV antibodies have been obtained, and these antigens can be used in the production of diagnostic tests and subunit vaccines against PiCV infections. However, YPDS has complex etiology, and it remains unknown whether immunization against PiCV alone will contribute to effective control of YPDS.

不到25年前就记录了鸽子的第一例圆环病毒感染病例。从那以后，几乎所有大洲都报道了圆环病毒感染。鸽子繁殖的特异性违背了生物安全原则，这可能是PiCV感染高发的原因。鸽子的PiCV感染导致免疫系统器官萎缩和淋巴细胞凋亡。被感染的鸟类可能更容易感染呼吸道和消化道。PiCV与年轻鸽疾病综合症（YPDS）相关。由于频繁的点突变，PiCV基因组中的重组过程和阳性选择，PiCV的特征是高水平的遗传多样性。遗传重组和阳性选择在PiCV的进化中起关键作用。尚未开发出在实验室条件下培养PiCV的方案，并且还没有针对这种感染的传统疫苗。已经获得了用于检测抗PiCV抗体的重组衣壳蛋白，这些抗原可用于生产针对PiCV感染的诊断测试和亚单位疫苗。但是，YPDS的病因复杂，仅针对PiCV的免疫是否会有助于YPDS的有效控制尚不清楚。