Abstract
Simple SummaryAvipoxviruses (APVs) are responsible for diseases in domestic and wild birds. Currently, the disease in domestic animals is under control in many Countries by biosafety and vaccination. In wild birds, small disease events are frequently reported worldwide, but large outbreaks are generally rare. Nevertheless, some aspects of the epidemiology of these viruses are still unclear. In this study, we explored, through molecular investigations, the diffusion of APVs among wild birds, of different orders and species, without typical macroscopic lesions. A high percentage (43.33%) of positive specimens was detected, suggesting high diffusion of the viruses and a possible role of avian wildlife as a reservoir. Aquatic birds, mainly Anseriformes, were more often infected, probably in relation to the environment where they live; in fact, APVs are frequently transmitted by mosquitos, particularly abundant in humid areas.Avipoxviruses (APVs) are important pathogens of both domestic and wild birds. The associated disease is characterized by skin proliferative lesions in the cutaneous form or by lesions of the first digestive and respiratory tracts in the diphtheritic form. Previous studies investigated these infections in symptomatic wild birds worldwide, including Italy, but data about the circulation of APVs in healthy avian wildlife are not available. The present study tested spleen samples from 300 wild birds without typical lesions to detect Avipoxvirus DNA. Overall, 43.33% of the samples scored positive. Aquatic birds were more frequently infected (55.42%) than other animals (26.40%), and in Anseriformes, high positivity was found (52.87%). The obtained results suggest that wild birds could be asymptomatic carriers of Avipoxviruses, opening new possible epidemiological scenarios.
Highlights
Members of the Avipoxvirus (APV) genus are the causative agents of serious diseases of wild and domestic birds worldwide [1]
Spleen samples were collected from 104 birds that died in the recovery center: 45 Eurasian magpies (Pica pica), 25 carrion crows (Corvus corone), 10 yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis), 6 common snipes (Gallinago gallinago), 5 feral pigeons (Columba livia), Eurasian sparrow hawks (Accipiter nisus), 3 common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), 2 grey herons (Ardea cinerea), 1 peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), 1 little owl (Athene noctua), greylag goose (Anser anser) and 1 common starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
(43.33%) of APV-positive samples, show that APVs are largely circulating among wild birds of different orders and species in Central Italy
Summary
Members of the Avipoxvirus (APV) genus are the causative agents of serious diseases of wild and domestic birds worldwide [1]. The second form, more frequent in commercial poultry flocks, is caused by inhalation or ingestion of the virus. In this form, the virus causes lesions on the mucous membranes of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, and sometimes the trachea [2,3]. The most known APV are fowl poxvirus (FWPV), turkey poxvirus (TPW), pigeon poxvirus (PGPV), and canary poxvirus (CNPV) [6]. These agents are not strictly species-specific, and they may infect other avian species, usually exhibiting a lower virulence. Molecular taxonomic investigations based on the locus fpv140 divided APVs into five clades and different subclades, including the various species identified [6,7,8]
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