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Christie KF, Poulson RL, Seixas JS, Hernandez SM. Avian Influenza Virus Status and Maternal Antibodies in Nestling White Ibis ( Eudocimus albus). Microorganisms 2021; 9:2468. [PMID: 34946070 PMCID: PMC8707160 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The White Ibis (Eudocimus albus), a nomadic wading bird, has increased its exploitation of urban habitats in South Florida, United States, and has recently established several urban breeding colonies. Certain characteristics of ibis ecology could position them in the natural cycle of the avian influenza virus (AIV). In fact, experimentally infected ibises were shown to be competent hosts for multiple AIV subtypes, and seroconversion to AIV has been documented in adult ibises in natural populations. However, the mechanisms of transmission and the timing of infection are unclear as we have yet to isolate AIV from a free-living ibis. To investigate the age-specific AIV dynamics of ibis, we captured nestlings (n = 115) weekly for 1-4 weeks from urban and natural settings in 2020 and 2021. We collected choanal/cloacal swabs for rRT-PCR and virus isolation, and plasma to screen for maternal AIV antibodies. AIV was not detected in any individual by virus isolation; however, maternal antibodies to AIV were detected in 95% of nestlings, with varying rates of catabolism. These results confirm that nestlings are afforded maternal antibodies from adults at rates reflective of higher adult seroprevalence than previously documented and that nestlings in breeding colonies may have some degree of protection and are unlikely to become infected with AIV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca L. Poulson
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
| | - Julia Silva Seixas
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
| | - Sonia M. Hernandez
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
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Huaman JL, Pacioni C, Forsyth DM, Pople A, Hampton JO, Carvalho TG, Helbig KJ. Serosurveillance and Molecular Investigation of Wild Deer in Australia Reveals Seroprevalence of Pestivirus Infection. Viruses 2020; 12:v12070752. [PMID: 32668730 PMCID: PMC7412320 DOI: 10.3390/v12070752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since deer were introduced into Australia in the mid-1800s, their wild populations have increased in size and distribution, posing a potential risk to the livestock industry, through their role in pathogen transmission cycles. In comparison to livestock, there are limited data on viral infections in all wildlife, including deer. The aim of this study was to assess blood samples from wild Australian deer for serological evidence of exposure to relevant viral livestock diseases. Blood samples collected across eastern Australia were tested by ELISA to detect antigens and antibodies against Pestivirus and antibodies against bovine herpesvirus 1. A subset of samples was also assessed by RT-PCR for Pestivirus, Simbu serogroup, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus and bovine ephemeral fever virus. Our findings demonstrated a very low seroprevalence (3%) for ruminant Pestivirus, and none of the other viruses tested were detected. These results suggest that wild deer may currently be an incidental spill-over host (rather than a reservoir host) for Pestivirus. However, deer could be a future source of viral infections for domestic animals in Australia. Further investigations are needed to monitor pathogen activity and quantify possible future infectious disease impacts of wild deer on the Australian livestock industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose L. Huaman
- Department of Physiology, Molecular Virology Laboratory, Anatomy and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia;
- Department of Physiology, Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Anatomy and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia;
| | - Carlo Pacioni
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Heidelberg 3084, Australia;
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia;
| | - David M. Forsyth
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Orange 2800, Australia;
| | - Anthony Pople
- Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Invasive Plants & Animals Research, Biosecurity Queensland, Ecosciences Precinct, Brisbane 4102, Australia;
| | - Jordan O. Hampton
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia;
- Ecotone Wildlife, P.O. Box 76, Inverloch, VIC 3996, Australia
| | - Teresa G. Carvalho
- Department of Physiology, Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Anatomy and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia;
| | - Karla J. Helbig
- Department of Physiology, Molecular Virology Laboratory, Anatomy and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-3-9479-6650
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Puryear WB, Keogh M, Hill N, Moxley J, Josephson E, Davis KR, Bandoro C, Lidgard D, Bogomolni A, Levin M, Lang S, Hammill M, Bowen D, Johnston DW, Romano T, Waring G, Runstadler J. Prevalence of influenza A virus in live-captured North Atlantic gray seals: a possible wild reservoir. Emerg Microbes Infect 2016; 5:e81. [PMID: 27485496 PMCID: PMC5034098 DOI: 10.1038/emi.2016.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) has been associated with multiple unusual mortality events (UMEs) in North Atlantic pinnipeds, frequently attributed to spillover of virus from wild-bird reservoirs. To determine if endemic infection persists outside of UMEs, we undertook a multiyear investigation of IAV in healthy, live-captured Northwest Atlantic gray seals (Halichoerus grypus). From 2013 to 2015, we sampled 345 pups and 57 adults from Cape Cod, MA, USA and Nova Scotia, Canada consistently detecting IAV infection across all groups. There was an overall viral prevalence of 9.0% (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.4%-12.5%) in weaned pups and 5.3% (CI: 1.2%-14.6%) in adults, with seroprevalences of 19.3% (CI: 15.0%-24.5%) and 50% (CI: 33.7%-66.4%), respectively. Positive sera showed a broad reactivity to diverse influenza subtypes. IAV status did not correlate with measures of animal health nor impact animal movement or foraging. This study demonstrated that Northwest Atlantic gray seals are both permissive to and tolerant of diverse IAV, possibly representing an endemically infected wild reservoir population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nichola Hill
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Josephson
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | | | | | - Damian Lidgard
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 1C2
| | | | - Milton Levin
- University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA
| | - Shelley Lang
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada B2Y 4A2
| | - Michael Hammill
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada B2Y 4A2
| | - Don Bowen
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada B2Y 4A2
| | | | | | - Gordon Waring
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
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