Duck Plague: A Carrier State in Waterfowl

Abstract

Healthy waterfowl were found to be carriers of duck plague (DP) virus. Black ducks (Anas rubripes) and Canada geese (Branta canadensis) surviving a natural outbreak of DP at Coloma, Wisconsin, in 1973 yielded DP virus in cloacal swabs taken four years postinfection. Experimental infection of previously unexposed mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynochos) with the Coloma strain of DP virus CO-WI (73) also produced cloacal virus shedding for up to four years after infection. A second DP virus strain, LA-SD (73) from the Lake Andes, South Dakota, epornitic, was detected from cloacal swabs of pintail ducks (Anas acuta), gadwall ducks (Anas strepera), wood ducks (Aix sponsa), and Canada geese infected experimentally one year before. The frequency of swabs positive for DP virus varied between individuals within each of the tested species. The amount of detectable DP virus shed was about 100 plaqueforming units of virus percloacal swab. Oral erosions were present in all species tested except Canada geese and gadwall ducks. Erosions occurred at the openings of the sublingual salivary gland ducts. DP virus was isolated from erosions. All ducks with lesions proved to shed DP virus, although not necessarily at the time they had the lesion.

Duck virus enteritis (duck plague) – a comprehensive update

“…The oral lesions comprises of erosions and presence of diphtheritic sub-lingual membranes. Chronically infected waterfowl have oral erosions at the openings of sub-lingual salivary gland ducts (Burgess et al 1979;Weingarten 1989;Shawky et al 2000;Campagnolo et al 2001;Sandhu & Shawky 2003;Konch et al 2009). Meckel's diverticulum may be hemorrhagic with a fibrinous core .…”

“…From this site, re-activation of the virus can occur that results in disease outburst (Shawky & Schat 2002). Hitherto reports confirmed that DVE survivors may become carriers for up to 4 years (Burgess et al 1979). Mallard ducks, that are less susceptible to the lethal effects of DP, could be considered a natural reservoir of the infection.…”

Histopathological and ultrastructural changes associated with herpesvirus infection in waterfowl

“…The disease appears in waterfowl of all ages. Several studies indicate that survivors may be carriers of the virus for up to 4 years (Burgess et al, 1979).…”

An immunocytochemical study on the sequential tissue distribution of duck plague virus1

“…The disease is characterized by extensive haemorrhage and necrosis, most commonly in the digestive and lymphoid organs (Jansen, 1961;Leibovitz, 1984). Duck plague virus (DPV) may also cause persistent infection (Burgess et al, 1979). Outbreaks of duck plague have been reported from many countries (Leibovitz, 1984) including Bangladesh (Sarkar, 1980(Sarkar, , 1982.…”