Etiology:  Sendai virus and PVM are RNA viruses of the paramyxovirus group.  Sendai virus is a parainfluenza virus type 1 and PVM is a pneumovirus that is serologically distinct from Sendai virus.

Incidence:  Incidence of infection with these viruses is rare in research hamsters.

Transmission:  Direct contact is the primary means of transmission. The virus is not stable in the environment, losing 99% infectivity at room temperature in an hour.

Clinical Signs:  Infection is usually asymptomatic.

Pathology:  No lesions are observed on gross or histologic tissue examinations.

Diagnosis:  Diagnosis is based on identification of antibody by serological testing, usually by MFI.