Lack of identification of Flaviviruses in oral and cloacal swabs from long- and short-distance migratory birds in Trentino-Alto Adige (North-eastern Italy)
| Autor: | Daniele Arnoldi, Luigi Bertolotti, Annapaola Rizzoli, Michela Grisenti, Mario Giacobini, Franco Rizzolli |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2013 |
| Předmět: |
viruses
030231 tropical medicine Biology law.invention Flavivirus Infections Birds 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Cloaca law Virology Encephalitis Viruses Animals Humans Viral shedding Survey 030304 developmental biology Bird Diseases 0303 health sciences Mouth Oral and cloacal swabs Research Flavivirus Encephalitis Arbovirus Settore VET/05 - MALATTIE INFETTIVE DEGLI ANIMALI DOMESTICI Migratory birds biology.organism_classification Transmission (mechanics) Infectious Diseases Italy Encephalitis Viruses Japanese Africa Usutu virus |
| Zdroj: | Virology Journal Virology Journal; Vol 10 |
| Popis: | Background West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV), both belonging to the genus Flavivirus, are emerging in Italy as important human and animal pathogens. Migratory birds are involved in the spread of Flaviviruses over long distances, particularly from Africa to Europe. Once introduced, these viruses can be further be dispersed by short-distance migratory and resident bird species. Thus far, there is still a considerable knowledge gap on the role played by different bird species in the ecology and transmission mechanisms of these viruses. The Region of Trentino-Alto Adige (north-eastern Italy) is located on the migratory route of many of the short- and long-distance migratory birds that cross the Alps, connecting northern Europe and western Asia with southern Europe and Africa. Until now, only a silent circulation of WNV and USUV within the territory of the Province of Trento has been confirmed by serological screening, whilst no cases of infected humans or animals have so far been reported. However, continuous spillover events of both viruses have been reported in neighbouring Regions. The aim of this study was to monitor the circulation of WNV and USUV in Trentino-Alto Adige, in order to detect if active virus shedding occurs in migratory birds captured during their seasonal movements and to evaluate the role that different bird species could play in the spreading of these viruses. Methods We carried out a biomolecular survey on oral and cloacal swabs collected from migratory birds during seasonal migrations. Birds belonging to 18 transaharian and 21 intrapaleartic species were examined during spring (n = 176) and autumn (n = 146), and were tested using a generic nested-PCR. Results All samples tested negative for Flaviviruses. The possible causes of unapparent shedding, along with ecological and epidemiological implications are discussed. Conclusions The lack of detection of active virus shedding in these bird species does not exclude the circulation of these viruses within the Trentino-Alto Adige region, as reported in previous studies. The possible ecological implications are discussed. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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