title: Persistence of antibodies to West Nile virus in naturally infected rock pigeons (Columba livia).
abstract: Wild caught rock pigeons (Columba livia) with antibodies to West Nile virus were monitored for 15 months to determine antibody persistence and compare results of three serologic techniques. Antibodies persisted for the entire study as detected by epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and plaque reduction neutralization test. Maternal antibodies in squabs derived from seropositive birds persisted for an average of 27 days.
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Health Building, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-4393, USA. sgibbs@vet.uga.edu
authors.forename: Samantha E J
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Gibbs
authors.forename: Douglas M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: Lillian M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.forename: Nicole L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Marlenee
authors.forename: Bradley J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Blitvich
authors.forename: Barry J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Beaty
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Stallknecht
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D010856:Columbidae; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D013997:Time Factors; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral