Isolation of Influenza A Viruses from Wild Ducks and Feathers in Minnesota (2010–2011)

Abstract

We investigated the feasibility of testing feathers as a complementary approach to detect low pathogenic influenza A viruses (IAVs) in wild duck populations. Feathers on the ground were collected at four duck capture sites during 2010 and 2011, in Minnesota, U. S. A. IAVs were isolated from both feathers and cloacal swabs sampled from ducks at the time of capture. Although virus isolation rates from feather and cloacal swabs were inconsistent between collections, the overall rate of isolation was greatest from the feather samples. Viruses isolated from feathers also reflected the subtype diversity observed in cloacal swab isolates but resulted in many more isolates that contained more than one virus. Our study suggests that testing feathers may represent an alternative noninvasive approach to recover viruses and estimate subtype abundance and diversity.

Investigation into the possibility of vertical transmission of avian bornavirus in free-ranging Canada geese (Branta canadensis)

“…These results suggest that ABV appears to reach the brain during in ovo infection in psittacine species. Parallel assessment of viral RNA in other tissues or biological samples would probably increase the sensitivity for detection of infection (Lebarbenchon et al, 2013). Finally, it is also possible that in ovo infection of embryos may simply not occur in Canada geese.…”

Infected or not: are PCR-positive oropharyngeal swabs indicative of low pathogenic influenza A virus infection in the respiratory tract of Mallard Anas platyrhynchos?

“…These results indicate that these Mallards did not have LPAI virus infection in the respiratory tract despite testing positive in oropharyngeal swabs. Rather, we hypothesize that LPAI virus detection and isolation success in the oropharynx in these birds may be due to contamination of infectious particles from dabbling in virus-contaminated water or preening [23,24]. The involvement of virus-contaminated water is supported by the long persistence of LPAI virus in surface water and the importance of water-borne transmission in the epidemiology of avian influenza [25].…”

Discrepancy in the diagnosis of avianBorna disease virusinfection ofPsittaciformesby protein analysis of feather calami and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of plasma antibodies

“…5,11,18 Although cloacal swabs, throat swabs, and fecal matter are most often used for pathogen identification, freshly plucked feathers have been found to yield more reliable results. 18 The stability problem of nucleic acids on storage, however, still persists.…”

“…5,11,18 Although cloacal swabs, throat swabs, and fecal matter are most often used for pathogen identification, freshly plucked feathers have been found to yield more reliable results. 18 The stability problem of nucleic acids on storage, however, still persists. In the current study, the usefulness of protein analysis by Western blot of proteins obtained from dried feather shafts has been explored and the results compared with those obtained with serological analysis for the presence of anti-ABV antibodies in plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of ABV.…”