Peridomestic Birds Research Articles

Serological investigation of low pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle disease virus antibodies in Japanese quails, 30 village weavers and one laughing dove in two states of Nigeria

BackgroundIn spite of efforts to control avian influenza (AI) and Newcastle disease (ND) over decades, circulation of the viral causative agents among domestic and feral birds is considered implicated factors for the intermittent outbreaks of AI and ND among domesticated birds as well as commercial poultry flocks in Nigeria. In this study, sera from domestic (Japanese quails) and peri-domestic birds including laughing dove and village weavers were screened for antibodies to low pathogenic AI virus (LPAIV) and ND virus (NDV).MethodsA competitive ELISA was used to detect anti-AI virus antibodies in the sera of 101 unvaccinated Japanese quails, 30 village weavers and one laughing dove caught for human consumption in Oyo and Osun states, Nigeria. Hemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) antibodies against LPAIV were then detected in the ELISA-positive sera using H3N8, H5N2 and H9N7 subtype-specific antigens. Also, antibodies to NDV were detected and quantified in the sera using HI test.ResultsSeroprevalence of NDV antibodies from tested quail sera was 12.9% (13/101), while AI was 18.8% (19/101) with detection of anti-LPAIV H3N8, H5N2 and H9N7 antibodies. The laughing dove serum was positive for NDV and anti-LPAIV H9N7 antibodies while all sera from village weavers had no detectable LPAIV antibodies, but 26.7% (8/30) were positive for NDV antibodies.ConclusionsThis study provides serologic evidence of infection with LPAIV H3N8, H5N2 and H9N7 as well as Newcastle disease in domestic and peri-domestic birds in southwest Nigeria and highlights the potential role of these birds in the epidemiology of AI and ND.

Sero-detection of antibodies to Avian metaavulavirus 2 in peri-domestic birds, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Avian metaavulavirus 2 (AMAV-2) previously known as the avian paramyxovirus-2 causes mild to severe respiratory disease, reduced hatchability and infertility of eggs, including increase in white-shelled eggs in chickens and Turkey breeders. When exacerbated by secondary pathogens and environmental stresses, infection is more severe leading to significant economic losses. This study was conducted to determine, if any, the presence of antibodies to Avian metaavulavirus 2 (AMAV-2) in peri-domestic birds in Bauchi State, Nigeria. In all, one hundred sera samples from pigeons (n = 10) and doves (n = 90 were collected in Bauchi, Nigeria. Based on hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test, overall seroprevalence of 27.0% (27/100) was recorded. In pigeon, the seroprevalence was 80.0% while 21.1% was recorded for dove with HI antibody titers ranging from 3log2 to 8log2. There was statistical significance obtained between dove and pigeon sera tested (p < .05). Until now and to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports on AMAV-2 in poultry or wild birds in Nigeria. This study, thus, provides preliminary information on AMAV-2 seroprevalence in Nigerian peri-domestic birds. The need to conduct further studies in other avian species and wild birds in Nigeria is highlighted.

Qualitative Assessment of the Clinico-Pathological Features of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Outbreaks in Commercial Poultry and Peri-Domestic Birds in Northern Nigeria

The control of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Nigeria from inception is predicated on effective biosecurity by stamping out policy but outbreaks of the disease continued to re-occur with altered clinico-pathologic manifestations. This study undertook the qualitative assessment of the clinico-pathological features of HPAI H5N1 during the 2021/2022 outbreaks in commercial poultry and peri-domestic birds in northern Nigeria. A total of 22 commercial poultry farms with 53,932 laying chickens and 3 households with 120 backyard broiler chickens, 18 indigenous chickens, 10 peafowls and 9 geese were investigated for HPAI. The clinico-pathologic manifestations observed in commercial poultry were subtle compared to previous presentations of the disease except in the peafowls, geese, broilers and indigenous chickens. The interspecies mortality rates significantly varied from 1.6% to 19.6% for laying chickens and 33.3% to 100% for broilers, indigenous chickens, geese and peafowls. Based on the history of sudden and high mortality, clinical signs and post mortem lesions observed, three diseases; HPAI, very virulent Newcastle disease and fowl cholera were drawn out as differential diagnoses. However, a tentative diagnosis of HPAI was made and samples were sent to the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria for confirmatory diagnosis. Results of the laboratory tests conducted on the samples using one step flu A screening and duplex real time RT-PCR, and virus isolation in embryonated chicken eggs confirmed HPAI H5N1 in twenty-five farms. It is concluded that the continuous though, irregular outbreaks of HPAI and emerging clinico-pathologic manifestations are pointers to failure of control and that the disease may become endemic. It is recommended that government should review its policy on the control of HPAI to include the adoption of zoned vaccination with close monitoring.

Newcastle disease virus transmission dynamics in wild peridomestic birds in the United Arab Emirates

To understand the dynamics of a pathogen in an animal population, one must assess how the infection status of individuals changes over time. With wild animals, this can be very challenging because individuals can be difficult to trap and sample, even more so since they are tested with imperfect diagnostic techniques. Multi-event capture-recapture models allow analysing longitudinal capture data of individuals whose infection status is assessed using imperfect tests. In this study, we used a two-year dataset from a longitudinal field study of peridomestic wild bird populations in the United Arab Emirates during which thousands of birds from various species were captured, sampled and tested for Newcastle disease virus exposure using a serological test. We developed a multi-event capture-recapture model to estimate important demographic and epidemiological parameters of the disease. The modelling outputs provided important insights into the understanding of Newcastle disease dynamics in peridomestics birds, which varies according to ecological and epidemiological parameters, and useful information in terms of surveillance strategies. To our knowledge, this study is the first attempt to model the dynamics of Newcastle disease in wild bird populations by combining longitudinal capture data and serological test results. Overall, it showcased that multi-event capture-recapture models represent a suitable method to analyse imperfect capture data and make reliable inferences on infectious disease dynamics in wild populations.

Attempted Detection of West Nile Virus from Wild and Peridomestic Birds within Ibadan Metropolis in Nigeria

Wild and peridomestic birds have been implicated in the transmission of West Nile virus (WNV), acting either as reservoirs or vectors. A team of researchers reported detection of West Nile virus (WNV) in the faeces of infected wild birds after being experimentally infected with the virus subcutaneously. This necessitated the need for this study, which is aimed at investigating the potential transmission of WNV through faeces in wild and peridomestic birds in Nigeria even though the virus is an arbovirus commonly transmitted by mosquito. To confirm the data, one hundred and ten (110) wild and peridomestic birds were screened for the presence of WNV using rtPCR method. The birds were drawn from six locations in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria within a period of 18 months. Detection of WNV was made with 5% agarose gel electrophoresis. However, we failed to detect WNV in these samples, concluding that birds in those locations were not habouring the virus. We recommend continuous and active surveillance for the virus since change in some particular factors can aid its widespread transmission.

Isolation of &lt;i&gt;Listeria monocytogenes&lt;/i&gt; from Peridomestic Birds and Captive Wild Animals

Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne pathogen responsible for septicaemia, meningitis and abortions. There are several animal reservoirs; however, the role of wild animals and peridomestic birds remains underestimated. We have screened 270 faecal samples of wild animals in captivity (18 species) and peridomestic birds (12 species). Listeria species were isolated from seven (6.66%) mammals and two (1.21%) birds. L. monocytogenes was isolated from barking deer, porcupine, pigeon and crow. Isolated L. monocytogenes were virulent strains of 4b serogroup. There is a need to explore the role of such nonconventional sources in the spread of L. monocytogenes in nature.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN AGRICULTURAL LAND USE AND WEST NILE VIRUS ANTIBODY PREVALENCE IN IOWA BIRDS

In the Plains states of the central United States, research suggests that the prevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) disease in humans is higher in agricultural areas than in nonagricultural areas. In contrast, there is limited information about WNV exposure in birds, the primary amplifying host of WNV, in agriculturally dominated landscapes. We evaluated whether exposure to WNV in peridomestic birds sampled in central Iowa varied with the proportion of land use devoted to agriculture. Over the summers of 2009 and 2010, we captured birds in sites comprising gradients of agricultural, urban, and natural land uses, and tested their sera for antibodies to WNV. Overall, WNV antibody prevalence was low (2.3%). Our results suggest that agricultural land use had minimal influence on WNV exposure in birds. We conclude that birds are not likely to be useful indicators of WNV activity in agricultural areas in the Plains states despite human risk being highest in those areas. Antibody prevalence for WNV, however, was higher in American Robins, Mourning Doves, and Northern Cardinals than in other species, making these species potentially useful for monitoring WNV activity in the US Plains states.

EFFICACY OF WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTERS IN SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING OF PATHOGEN ACTIVITY: A CASE STUDY WITH WEST NILE VIRUS

Surveillance is critical for identifying and monitoring pathogen activity in wildlife populations, but often is cost- and time-prohibitive and logistically challenging. We tested the hypothesis that wildlife rehabilitation centers are useful for monitoring pathogen activity using West Nile virus (WNV) as a case study. We hypothesized that birds submitted to wildlife rehabilitation centers would have a similar prevalence of antibody to WNV as free-ranging birds. From 2008 to 2010, we collected sera from peridomestic birds submitted to the Wildlife Care Clinic (WCC), a wildlife rehabilitation center in central Iowa, and tested them for antibodies to WNV. We also collected and tested sera from free-ranging peridomestic birds in the area from which approximately 50% of WCC submissions historically originated. Prevalences of WNV antibodies in free-ranging birds and in peridomestic WCC birds were 2.3% (44/1,936) and 2.8% (2/72), respectively. However, none of the birds submitted to the WCC from the area where we captured free-ranging birds had antibodies (0/29). Our results indicate that rehabilitation facilities are not likely to be useful for monitoring WNV activity at small spatial scales or over short-time periods due to the low endemic prevalence of WNV, and low and variable submission rates. However, at larger spatial scales (ca. nine Iowa counties) WNV antibody prevalence in peridomestic birds submitted to the WCC was similar to that of free-ranging birds. Although limitations to using rehabilitation birds to monitor WNV must be considered, testing these birds could be useful for monitoring WNV activity regionally, especially with many states limiting surveillance due to budgetary constraints.

Sentinel Chicken Seroconversions Track Tangential Transmission of West Nile Virus to Humans in the Greater Los Angeles Area of California

In Los Angeles, California, West Nile virus (WNV) has followed a pattern of emergence, amplification, subsidence, and resurgence. A time series cross-correlation analysis of human case counts and sentinel chicken seroconversions revealed temporal concordance indicating that chicken seroconversions tracked tangential transmission of WNV from the basic passeriform-Culex amplification cycle to humans rather than antecedent enzootic amplification. Sentinel seroconversions provided the location and time of transmission as opposed to human cases, which frequently were reported late and were assumed to be acquired 2-14 days before disease onset at their residence. Cox models revealed that warming degree-days were associated with the increased risk of seroconversion, whereas elevated herd immunity in peridomestic birds dampened seroconversion risk. Spatially, surveillance data collected within a 5 km radius of flock locations 15-28 days before the bleed date were most predictive of a seroconversion. In urban Los Angeles, sentinel chicken seroconversions could be used as an outcome measure in decision support for emergency intervention.

Epizootiology of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus in upstate New York, USA. II. Population dynamics and vector potential of adult Culiseta melanura (Diptera: Culicidae) in relation to distance from breeding site.

The behavior of Culiseta melanura was studied at sites in, near and away from an inland endemic focus of eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus (EEEV) between 1976 and 1979 using light-CO2 traps and resting shelters. During 3 seasons, nonblooded females, blooded/gravid females and males increased and decreased synchronously at the swamp center, the swamp perimeter and at a village 2 km away from the swamp. Both sexes were more abundant at the swamp center during May and June but more abundant at the perimeter thereafter. Males were much fewer at the village and, although there were more females in and near the swamp, a significantly greater proportion of females at the village was parous and/or blooded/gravid. Light-CO2 traps caught fewer nonblooded females in the swamp than did shelters, but more than shelters at the village. Only shelters were effective in collecting blooded/gravid females and males. Population density, parity and dispersion patterns were correlated to rainfall patterns during July-to-September periods. Parity data indicated that Cs. melanura remains in the swamp when populations are low or during adverse weather conditions but, during periods of high populations or warm, wet weather, older females, and presumably older males, spread at least as far as the village. Of 2009 blooded females tested, 99.7% had fed on birds, 83% of the total on passerines. Nonavian feedings occurred simultaneously with high Cs. melanura populations and irrespective of distance from the breeding swamp. During the EEEV transmission seasons Cs. melanura populations at the perimeter had the greatest vector potential (as herein defined), but as late-season populations increased, vector potential was relatively greater more distant from the swamp. The vector potential for this inland area of New York strengthens the hypothesis advanced for coastal foci that Cs. melanura , though an unlikely epidemic vector, serves as the enzootic vector of EEEV and is responsible for carrying the virus from the swamp to domestic and peridomestic birds.