Serologic Evidence of Exposure of Raptors to Influenza A Virus

Serum or plasma samples from raptors that prey or scavenge upon aquatic birds were tested by a commercially available blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the evidence of antibodies to influenza A virus. Samples were taken from birds (n = 616) admitted to two rehabilitation centers in the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Avian Diseases
Main Authors: Patrick T. Redig, Sagar M. Goyal
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: American Association of Avian Pathologists 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1637/9909-083111-ResNote.1
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Summary:Serum or plasma samples from raptors that prey or scavenge upon aquatic birds were tested by a commercially available blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the evidence of antibodies to influenza A virus. Samples were taken from birds (n = 616) admitted to two rehabilitation centers in the United States. In addition, samples from 472 migrating peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) trapped on autumnal and vernal migrations for banding purposes were also tested. Only bald eagles were notably seropositive (22/406). One each of peregrine falcon, great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), and Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperi) from a total of 472, 81, and 100, respectively, were also positive. None of the turkey vultures (n = 21) or black vultures (n = 8) was positive. No clinical signs referable to avian influenza were seen in any bird at the time of capture. These data indicate that, among raptors, bald eagles do have exposure to influenza A viruses.Nota de Investigación—La evidencia serológica de exposición de aves rapaces al virus de la influenza.Las muestras de suero o de plasma de aves rapaces o de rapiña que se alimentan de aves acuáticas vivas o muertas y de aves fueron analizadas mediante un ensayo de inmunoabsorción con enzimas ligadas de tipo competitivo para detectar la presencia de anticuerpos contra el virus de la influenza A. Se tomaron muestras de las aves (n = 616) que fueron ingresadas a dos centros de rehabilitación en los Estados Unidos. Además, también se analizaron las muestras de 472 halcones peregrinos (Falco peregrinus) migratorios que fueron atrapados durante las migraciones de otoño y de primavera con el propósito de identificación mediante la colocación de bandas. Sólo las águilas calvas fueron notablemente seropositivas (22/406). También se encontró un individuo positivo de los halcones peregrinos, de los búhos cornudos (Bubo virginianus) y de los gavilanes de Cooper (Accipiter cooperi) de un total de 472, 81, y 100 aves, respectivamente. Ninguno de los buitres de cabeza roja (n = 21) o ...