Identifying the species-origin of faecal droppings used for avian influenza virus surveillance in wild-birds

Abstract 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. Objectives To develop, optimise,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of clinical virology 2009-09, Vol.46 (1), p.90-93
Main Authors: Cheung, Peter P, Leung, Y.H. Connie, Chow, Chun-Kin, Ng, Chi-Fung, Tsang, Chun-Lok, Wu, Yu-On, Ma, Siu-Kit, Sia, Sin-Fun, Guan, Yi, Peiris, J.S.M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allergy and Immunology
Animals
Avian
Avian influenza virus
Biological and medical sciences
Bird Diseases
Bird Diseases - epidemiology
Bird Diseases - virology
Birds
Birds - classification
DNA barcoding
DNA Primers
DNA Primers - genetics
Feces
Feces - virology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
H5N1
Human
Human viral diseases
Infectious Disease
Infectious diseases
Influenza
Influenza in Birds
Influenza in Birds - epidemiology
Influenza in Birds - virology
Influenza virus
Life Sciences
Medical sciences
Microbiology
Microbiology and Parasitology
Miscellaneous
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods
Sensitivity and Specificity
Surveillance
Viral diseases
Virology
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Summary:Abstract 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. Objectives To develop, optimise, and field-test a method to simultaneously detect AIV and identify the species-origin from faecal samples. Study design 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 2.8 μg 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. Conclusion 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.
ISSN:1386-6532
1873-5967
DOI:10.1016/j.jcv.2009.06.016