Identifying the species-origin of faecal droppings used for avian influenza virus surveillance in wild-birds.
BACKGROUND
Avian influenza virus (AIV) surveillance in birds is important for public health. Faecal droppings from wild-birds are more readily available for such studies, but the inability to identify the species-origin of faecal samples limits their value.


OBJECTIVE
To develop, optimise, and field-test a method to simultaneously detect AIV and identify the species-origin from faecal samples.


METHODS
Analytical sensitivity of the species-identification RT-PCR was assessed on serial dilutions of faecal droppings. Overall sensitivity of the methods for species-identification and AIV detection was assessed on 92 faecal and cloacal samples collected from wildlife, poultry markets, and experimentally H5N1-infected birds.


RESULTS
All 92 samples were correctly identified to 24 different species, with a detection limit of 2.8mug of faecal material. All 20 specimens previously shown by virus culture to be positive for influenza virus were correctly identified by RT-PCR for influenza A using the same nucleic-acid extracts used for species-identification.


CONCLUSIONS
We have optimised and evaluated a method for identifying the species of origin and detecting AIV from bird faecal droppings that can be applied to routine surveillance of influenza viruses in wild-birds.
Cheung
Peter P
PP
State Key Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
Leung
Y H Connie
YH
Chow
Chun-Kin
CK
Ng
Chi-Fung
CF
Tsang
Chun-Lok
CL
Wu
Yu-On
YO
Ma
Siu-Kit
SK
Sia
Sin-Fun
SF
Guan
Yi
Y
Peiris
J S M
JS
D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D001717:Birds / Q000145:classification*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D017931:DNA Primers