Extended viral shedding of a low pathogenic avian influenza virus by striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis).
BACKGROUND
Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) are susceptible to infection with some influenza A viruses. However, the viral shedding capability of this peri-domestic mammal and its potential role in influenza A virus ecology are largely undetermined.


RESULTS
Striped skunks were experimentally infected with a low pathogenic (LP) H4N6 avian influenza virus (AIV) and monitored for 20 days post infection (DPI). All of the skunks exposed to H4N6 AIV shed large quantities of viral RNA, as detected by real-time RT-PCR and confirmed for live virus with virus isolation, from nasal washes and oral swabs (maximum ≤ 10(6.02) PCR EID50 equivalent/mL and ≤ 10(5.19) PCR EID50 equivalent/mL, respectively). Some evidence of potential fecal shedding was also noted. Following necropsy on 20 DPI, viral RNA was detected in the nasal turbinates of one individual. All treatment animals yielded evidence of a serological response by 20 DPI.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that striped skunks have the potential to shed large quantities of viral RNA through the oral and nasal routes following exposure to a LP AIV. Considering the peri-domestic nature of these animals, along with the duration of shedding observed in this species, their presence on poultry and waterfowl operations could influence influenza A virus epidemiology. For example, this species could introduce a virus to a naive poultry flock or act as a trafficking mechanism of AIV to and from an infected poultry flock to naive flocks or wild bird populations.
United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America.
J Jeffrey
JJ
Root
United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America.
Susan A
SA
Shriner
United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America.
Kevin T
KT
Bentler
United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Disease Program, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America.
Thomas
T
Gidlewski
United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America.
Nicole L
NL
Mooers
United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America.
Jeremy W
JW
Ellis
Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America.
Terry R
TR
Spraker
United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America.
Kaci K
KK
VanDalen
United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America.
Heather J
HJ
Sullivan
United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America.
Alan B
AB
Franklin
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001717:Birds / Q000821:virology; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012889:Mephitidae / Q000821:virology*; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000821:virology; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000502:physiology*; D019562:Viral Load / Q000187:drug effects; D017201:Virus Shedding / Q000502:physiology*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral