title: Antibodies to Ockelbo virus in three orders of birds (Anseriformes, Galliformes and Passeriformes) in Sweden.
abstract: Sera from 324 birds collected in an Ockelbo virus disease endemic area in central Sweden were examined for the presence of specific antibodies to Ockelbo virus by a plaque reduction neutralization test. Birds examined belonged to the orders Anseriformes (n = 207), Galliformes (n = 66) and Passeriformes (n = 51). Ockelbo virus neutralizing antibodies were detected in 26 (8%) of the specimens, including species from each of the three orders tested. Specific antibodies found in caged birds and in 6- to 10-week-old birds suggested local transmission. The highest antibody prevalence (27%, 14/51) was observed in the Passeriformes in which 5 of 9 species tested contained antibodies. The high antibody prevalence in passeriforms and the very large population of this group in relation to other avian groups in Sweden gives them a high potential as amplification hosts for Ockelbo virus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, National Bacteriological Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Lundström
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Turell
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Niklasson
mesh_terms: D000524:Alphavirus / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001717:Birds; D004372:Ducks; D005777:Geese; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014036:Togaviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral