Perpetuation and reassortment of gull influenza A viruses in Atlantic North America

Abstract

Gulls are important hosts of avian influenza A viruses (AIVs) and gull AIVs often contain gene segments of mixed geographic and host lineage origins. In this study, the prevalence of AIV in gulls of Newfoundland, Canada from 2008 to 2011 was analyzed. Overall prevalence was low (30/1645, 1.8%) but there was a distinct peak of infection in the fall. AIV seroprevalence was high in Newfoundland gulls, with 50% of sampled gulls showing evidence of previous infection. Sequences of 16 gull AIVs were determined and analyzed to shed light on the transmission, reassortment and persistence dynamics of gull AIVs in Atlantic North America. Intercontinental and waterfowl lineage reassortment was prevalent. Of particular note were a wholly Eurasian AIV and another with an intercontinental reassortant waterfowl lineage virus. These patterns of geographic and inter-host group transmission highlight the importance of characterization of gull AIVs as part of attempts to understand global AIV dynamics.

Introduction of Eurasian-Origin Influenza A(H8N4) Virus into North America by Migratory Birds

“…During 2010–2016, research and surveillance for influenza A viruses in wild birds inhabiting North America have provided evidence for the intercontinental dispersal of the following 4 viral genome constellations between Eurasia and North America: H16N3 ( 9 ), H9N2 ( 3 ), highly pathogenic clade 2.3.4.4 H5N8 ( 10 ), and H8N4 (this study). Four reports of independent purported intercontinental dispersal events for influenza A viruses via migratory birds during 7 years of sampling do not disprove the paradigm of restricted viral dispersal between Eurasia and North America.…”

Influenza A Virus on Oceanic Islands: Host and Viral Diversity in Seabirds in the Western Indian Ocean

“…The detection of IAV subtypes usually associated with wild ducks and poultry (H3, H6, H9, H12) further suggests that noddies might share habitats with ducks at some stage during their life cycle. Mixing between species and populations originating from different geographic areas favour virus gene flow between hosts and facilitates cross-species transmission, in particular during the course of migration [ 44 , 45 ] and, for pelagic birds, in wintering areas [ 46 , 47 ]. The variation observed between sooty terns and noddies could thus be due to differences in species and population mixing during the post-breeding migration.…”

Mercury concentrations in multiple tissues of Arctic Iceland Gulls (Larus glaucoides) wintering in Newfoundland

“…Given the high moisture content of plasma (>90%), the low concentrations of Hg, and the mass required for detection with current instruments, plasma is not a suitable matrix in which to regularly measure Hg, and whole blood or the cellular fraction is recommended. This is convenient, as other assays requiring plasma samples, such as hormones, diseases, or stable isotopes (Hobson and Clark 1993;Buck et al 2007;Huang et al 2014), can be paired with assays of RBCs, such as Hg, stable isotopes, or genetics (Norris et al 2005;Robinson et al 2013), maximizing the information available from a single sample.…”

“…In Newfoundland, large congregations representing the majority of the breeding population spend mid-November through March in mixed-species flocks with other Larus spp. gulls (Brown 1986;Huettmann and Diamond 2000;Huang et al 2014;authors' personal observations). While in Newfoundland, they forage in urban areas, including sewerage outflows, landfills, and public parks.…”