Maternal Antibody Transfer in Yellow-legged Gulls

Jessica M.C Pearce-Duvet,Michel Gauthier-Clerc,Thierry Boulinier,Elsa Jourdain

doi:10.3201/eid1507.090036

Abstract

Maternal Antibody Transfer in Yellow-legged Gulls

Highlights

Extracts were tested for antibodies against the Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) nucleoprotein by using a commercial competitive ELISA (IDEXX/Institut Pourquier, Montpellier, France)
Antibody prevalence in gulls is higher than the viral prevalence previously estimated by reverse transcription–PCR or virus isolation on fecal samples, i.e., the methods typically used by avian influenza surveillance networks
The antibody prevalence of 13.5% found at Gruissan (34 of 252 eggs) was comparable with the 14.5% found at Villeneuve (31 of 214 eggs)

Summary

Introduction

To the Editor: Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are emerging pathogens of concern because they can cause deaths in birds and humans [1]. Wild birds likely contribute to AIV emergence because they are the natural reservoir for all known influenza virus subtypes [1], our understanding of AIV transmission and immunology in natural avian populations is incomplete [2]. Because antibodies in eggs and hatchlings can reflect the mother’s past exposure to pathogens [3,4] and both life stages are more sampled than adults, quantifying antibodies found in avian young could help clarify AIV epidemiology.

Results

Conclusion