Antibodies to avian influenza viruses in Canada geese (Branta canadensis): a potential surveillance tool?
Traditionally, the epidemiology of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in wild birds has been defined by detection of virus or viral RNA through virus isolation or reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Our goals were to estimate AIV antibody prevalence in Canada geese (Branta canadensis) and measure effects of age and location on these estimates. We collected 3,205 samples from nine states during June and July 2008 and 2009: Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington, and West Virginia. Serum samples were tested for AIV antibodies with the use of a commercial blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Overall, 483 (15%) Canada geese had detectable antibodies to AIV. Significantly higher prevalences were detected in geese collected from northeastern and upper midwestern states compared with southeastern states. This trend is consistent with results from virus isolation studies reporting AIV prevalence in North American dabbling ducks. Within Pennsylvania, significantly higher antibody prevalences were detected in goose flocks sampled in urban locations compared to flocks sampled in rural areas. Antibody prevalence was significantly higher in after-hatch-year geese compared to hatch-year geese. No significant differences in prevalence were detected from 10 locations sampled during both years. Results indicate that Canada geese are frequently exposed to AIVs and, with resident populations, may potentially be useful as sentinels to confirm regional AIV transmission within wild bird populations.
Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 180 East Green Street, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA. wkistler@uga.edu
Whitney M
WM
Kistler
David E
DE
Stallknecht
Thomas J
TJ
Deliberto
Seth
S
Swafford
Kerri
K
Pedersen
Kyle
K
Van Why
Paul C
PC
Wolf
Jerry A
JA
Hill
Darren L
DL
Bruning
James C
JC
Cumbee
Randall M
RM
Mickley
Carl W
CW
Betsill
Adam R
AR
Randall
Roy D
RD
Berghaus
Michael J
MJ
Yabsley
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000821:virology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005777:Geese / Q000821:virology*; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance / Q000662:veterinary*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral