scholarly journals Newcastle disease virus transmission dynamics in wild peridomestic birds in the United Arab Emirates

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Hirschinger ◽  
Lucile Marescot ◽  
Yves Hingrat ◽  
Jean Luc Guerin ◽  
Guillaume Le Loc’h ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Newcastle Disease ◽  
Wild Bird ◽  
Serological Test ◽  
Infection Status ◽  
Disease Dynamics ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Event Capture ◽  
Epidemiological Parameters

AbstractTo understand the dynamics of a pathogen in an animal population, one must assess how the infection status of individuals changes over time. With wild animals, this can be very challenging because individuals can be difficult to trap and sample, even more so since they are tested with imperfect diagnostic techniques. Multi-event capture-recapture models allow analysing longitudinal capture data of individuals whose infection status is assessed using imperfect tests. In this study, we used a two-year dataset from a longitudinal field study of peridomestic wild bird populations in the United Arab Emirates during which thousands of birds from various species were captured, sampled and tested for Newcastle disease virus exposure using a serological test. We developed a multi-event capture-recapture model to estimate important demographic and epidemiological parameters of the disease. The modelling outputs provided important insights into the understanding of Newcastle disease dynamics in peridomestics birds, which varies according to ecological and epidemiological parameters, and useful information in terms of surveillance strategies. To our knowledge, this study is the first attempt to model the dynamics of Newcastle disease in wild bird populations by combining longitudinal capture data and serological test results. Overall, it showcased that multi-event capture-recapture models represent a suitable method to analyse imperfect capture data and make reliable inferences on infectious disease dynamics in wild populations.

scholarly journals Risk assessment of Avian Influenza and Newcastle disease viruses exposure from peridomestic wild birds in a conservation breeding site in the United Arab Emirates

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Hirschinger ◽  
Timothée Vergne ◽  
Tifenn Corre ◽  
Yves Hingrat ◽  
Jean-Luc Guerin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Avian Influenza ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Newcastle Disease ◽  
Wild Bird ◽  
Breeding Site ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Prevalence Survey ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Conservation Breeding

Worldwide, wild birds are frequently suspected to be involved in the occurrence of outbreaks in captive-bred birds although proofs are lacking and most of the dedicated studies are insufficiently conclusive to confirm or characterize the roles of wild birds in such outbreaks. The aim of this study was to assess and compare, for the most prevalent peridomestic wild birds, the different exposure routes for Avian Influenza and Newcastle disease viruses in conservation breeding sites of Houbara bustards in the United Arab Emirates. To do so, we considered all of the potential pathways by which captive bustards could be exposed to Avian Influenza and Newcastle disease viruses by wild birds, and ran a comparative study of the likelihood of exposure via each of the pathways considered. We merged data from an ecological study dedicated to local wild bird communities with an analysis of the contacts between wild birds and captive bustards and with a prevalence survey of AIV and NDV in wild bird populations. We also extracted data from an extensive review of the scientific literature and by the elicitation of expert opinion. Overall, this analysis highlighted that captive bustards had a high risk of being exposed to pathogens by wild birds. This risk was higher for Newcastle disease virus than Avian influenza virus, and House sparrows represented the riskiest species for the transmission of both viruses through indirect exposure from consumption of water contaminated from the faeces of an infectious bird that got inside the aviary. Thus, this analysis reveals that wild peridomestic birds may play a role in the transmission of avian pathogens to captive bred birds. These results also reaffirm the need to implement sanitary measures to limit contacts between wild and captive birds and highlight priority targets for a thoughtful and efficient sanitary management strategy.

scholarly journals Innate and Adaptive Immune Genes Associated with MERS-CoV Infection in Dromedaries

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1291
Author(s):  
Sara Lado ◽  
Jean P. Elbers ◽  
Martin Plasil ◽  
Tom Loney ◽  
Pia Weidinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Disease Dynamics ◽  
Genetic Pathways ◽  
Immune Genes ◽  
Adaptive Immune ◽  
Potential Association ◽  
Host Genetic ◽  
Human Infections

The recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has refocused attention to the betacoronaviruses, only eight years after the emergence of another zoonotic betacoronavirus, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). While the wild source of SARS-CoV-2 may be disputed, for MERS-CoV, dromedaries are considered as source of zoonotic human infections. Testing 100 immune-response genes in 121 dromedaries from United Arab Emirates (UAE) for potential association with present MERS-CoV infection, we identified candidate genes with important functions in the adaptive, MHC-class I (HLA-A-24-like) and II (HLA-DPB1-like), and innate immune response (PTPN4, MAGOHB), and in cilia coating the respiratory tract (DNAH7). Some of these genes previously have been associated with viral replication in SARS-CoV-1/-2 in humans, others have an important role in the movement of bronchial cilia. These results suggest similar host genetic pathways associated with these betacoronaviruses, although further work is required to better understand the MERS-CoV disease dynamics in both dromedaries and humans.

scholarly journals Non-Invasive Molecular Survey of Sarcoptic Mange in Wildlife: Diagnostic Performance in Wolf Faecal Samples Evaluated by Multi-Event Capture–Recapture Models

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 243
Author(s):  
Julieta Rousseau ◽  
Mónia Nakamura ◽  
Helena Rio-Maior ◽  
Francisco Álvares ◽  
Rémi Choquet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Detection ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Sarcoptes Scabiei ◽  
Sarcoptic Mange ◽  
Diagnostic Specificity ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Event Capture

Sarcoptic mange is globally enzootic, and non-invasive methods with high diagnostic specificity for its surveillance in wildlife are lacking. We describe the molecular detection of Sarcoptes scabiei in non-invasively collected faecal samples, targeting the 16S rDNA gene. We applied this method to 843 Iberian wolf Canis lupus signatus faecal samples collected in north-western Portugal (2006–2018). We further integrated this with serological data (61 samples from wolf and 20 from red fox Vulpes vulpes, 1997–2019) in multi-event capture–recapture models. The mean predicted prevalence by the molecular analysis of wolf faecal samples from 2006–2018 was 7.2% (CI95 5.0–9.4%; range: 2.6–11.7%), highest in 2009. The mean predicted seroprevalence in wolves was 24.5% (CI95 18.5–30.6%; range: 13.0–55.0%), peaking in 2006–2009. Multi-event capture–recapture models estimated 100% diagnostic specificity and moderate diagnostic sensitivity (30.0%, CI95 14.0–53.0%) for the molecular method. Mange-infected individually identified wolves showed a tendency for higher mortality versus uninfected wolves (ΔMortality 0.150, CI95 −0.165–0.458). Long-term serology data highlights the endemicity of sarcoptic mange in wild canids but uncovers multi-year epidemics. This study developed and evaluated a novel method for surveying sarcoptic mange in wildlife populations by the molecular detection of S. scabiei in faecal samples, which stands out for its high specificity and non-invasive character.

scholarly journals Unhatched eggs represent the invisible fraction in two wild bird populations

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 20190763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Hemmings ◽  
Simon Evans
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Wild Bird ◽  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Population Studies ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Fertilization Failure ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Life History Data ◽  
Evolutionary Inference ◽  
The Invisible

Prenatal mortality is typically overlooked in population studies, which biases evolutionary inference by confounding selection and inheritance. Birds represent an opportunity to include this ‘invisible fraction’ if each egg contains a zygote, but whether hatching failure is caused by fertilization failure versus prenatal mortality is largely unknown. We quantified fertilization failure rates in two bird species that are popular systems for studying evolutionary dynamics and found that overwhelming majorities (99.9%) of laid eggs were fertilized. These systems thus present opportunities to eliminate the invisible fraction from life-history data.

scholarly journals Molecular Epidemiology of Campylobacter jejuni Isolates from Wild-Bird Fecal Material in Children's Playgrounds

2008 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 779-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel P. French ◽  
Anne Midwinter ◽  
Barbara Holland ◽  
Julie Collins-Emerson ◽  
Rebecca Pattison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Campylobacter Jejuni ◽  
Wild Bird ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Fecal Material ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Garden Birds ◽  
The 19Th Century ◽  
Children Under 5

ABSTRACT In many countries relatively high notification rates of campylobacteriosis are observed in children under 5 years of age. Few studies have considered the role that environmental exposure plays in the epidemiology of these cases. Wild birds inhabit parks and playgrounds and are recognized carriers of Campylobacter, and young children are at greater risk of ingesting infective material due to their frequent hand-mouth contact. We investigated wild-bird fecal contamination in playgrounds in parks in a New Zealand city. A total of 192 samples of fresh and dried fecal material were cultured to determine the presence of Campylobacter spp. Campylobacter jejuni isolates were also characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and the profiles obtained were compared with those of human isolates. C. jejuni was isolated from 12.5% of the samples. MLST identified members of clonal complexes ST-45, ST-682, and ST-177; all of these complexes have been recovered from wild birds in Europe. PFGE of ST-45 isolates resulted in profiles indistinguishable from those of isolated obtained from human cases in New Zealand. Members of the ST-177 and ST-682 complexes have been found in starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in the United Kingdom, and these birds were common in playgrounds investigated in New Zealand in this study. We suggest that feces from wild birds in playgrounds could contribute to the occurrence of campylobacteriosis in preschool children. Further, the C. jejuni isolates obtained in this study belonged to clonal complexes associated with wild-bird populations in the northern hemisphere and could have been introduced into New Zealand in imported wild garden birds in the 19th century.

Modelling survival and breeding dispersal to unobservable nest sites

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Tavecchia ◽  
Ana Sanz-Aguilar ◽  
Belinda Cannell
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Site ◽  
Demographic Parameters ◽  
Breeding Dispersal ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Local Survival ◽  
Permanent Migration ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Event Capture

Context Demographic parameters in wildlife populations are typically estimated by monitoring a limited number of individuals in observable sites and assuming that these are representative of the whole population. If individuals permanently disperse to unobservable breeding sites, recruitment and immature survival are expected to be negatively biased and breeding-site fidelity cannot be investigated. Aims To develop a method to obtain unbiased estimated of survival, recruitment and breeding dispersal when individuals can move to, or recruit in, unobservable sites. Methods We used the flexibility of multi-event capture–recapture models to estimate dispersal and recruitment to unobservable sites, merging observations made at two sites within the same breeding locations. We illustrated the model with data on little penguin (Eudyptula minor) breeding in artificial as well as in natural nests. Natural nests are unknown or inaccessible and birds in these sites remain unobservable. Encounters at beaches surrounding the colony suggested that marked animals can permanently move to unobservable nests. We built the multi-event model considering two possible states of the individuals (alive breeding in a nest box and alive in a natural nest) and three types of observations (encountered at a nest only, encountered at the beach only and encountered at both places). This model ensured that the breeding dispersal to unobservable places became estimable. Key results Results indicate that the estimated survival was 8% higher than when recaptures at artificial nests were analysed alone. Also, fidelity to artificial nests was 12% lower than to natural nests. This might reflect the greater availability of natural sites or, alternatively, a heterogeneity between these two types of nest. Conclusions We obtained an estimate of local survival of little penguins breeding at Penguin Island that incorporates the permanent migration to unobservable sites and found an asymmetric dispersion towards natural nests. Implication Our conclusions suggest a need for more careful treatment of data derived from artificial sites alone, as demographic parameters might be underestimated if animals prefer natural breeding sites or if they are in greater proportion compared with artificial ones. The analytical approach presented can be applied to many biological systems, when animals might move into inaccessible or unobservable breeding sites.

scholarly journals Avian influenza surveillance in wild birds using sentinel ducks

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-8
Author(s):  
Bayarmagnai Davganyam ◽  
Nyamsuren Otgontogtokh ◽  
Baljidmaa Batmunkh ◽  
Davaasuren Nergui ◽  
Ariunaa Tserendorj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Avian Influenza ◽  
Wild Bird ◽  
Sentinel Surveillance ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Bird Habitat ◽  
Insulated Isothermal Pcr ◽  
H5n1 Hpai

We conducted active surveillance for avian influenza virus using sentinel ducks in central region of Mongolia (Khunt lake Saikhan soum, Bulgan province) that major wild bird habitat and outbreak site of H5N1 HPAI in wild birds in Mongolia from 2005 to 2011. Total of 39/104 (37,5%) samples were positive by insulated isothermal PCR (iiPCR) and 42/104 (40,38%) swab samples were positive by real time PCR (qPCR). In addition, AIV antibody detected in 35/104 (33,65%) serum samples tested by AIV NP ELISA kit. These results indicated that sentinel surveillance using domestic birds could be an effective method for avian pathogens including influenza in Mongolia. Enhanced sentinel surveillance in wild bird populations in Mongolia is therefore crucial for the understanding of global AIV transmission and epidemiology. Шувууны томуугийн тандах судалгаанд туршуул шувуу (Sentinel bird) байршуулах арга ашигласан дүнгээс Бид шувууны томуугийн тандах судалгаанд туршуул шувуу байршуулах арга зүйг ашиглах боломжийг судлах зорилгоор урьдчилсан туршилтыг 2019 оны 7-10 сард Булган аймгийн Сайхан сумын Хунт нууранд хийж гүйцэтгэв. Хунт нуур нь олон тооны нүүдлийн усны шувууд зусах болон дайрч өнгөрдөг ач холбогдолтой цэг бөгөөд 2005-2011 онд өндөр хоруу чанартай шувууны томуугийн (HPAI) A/H5N1 дэд хэвшлийн вирус илэрч байсан. Шувуунаас авсан арчдасны зарим дээжийг insulated isothermal PCR (iiPCR)-р шинжлэхэд 39/104 (37,5%), дээж эерэг, бүх дээжийг PCR (qPCR)-р шинжлэхэд 42/104 (40,38%) нь дээж эерэг дүн үзүүлсэн. Харин ийлдсэнд шувууны томуугийн эсрэг бием илрүүлэх ELISA-ийн шинжилгээгээр  35/104 (33,65%) дээжинд  эсрэг бием илэрсэн. Иймд энэ арга зүйг Монгол орны нөхцөлд тохируулан сайжруулж шувууны томуугийн үүсгэгчийг илрүүлэхэд ашиглах нь уг өвчний эпидемиологийн байдлыг танин мэдэхэд чухал ач холбогдолтой  юм. Түлхүүр үг: нугас, вирус, дархлаа, эпидемиологи, тархалт, ПГУ (Полимеразан  гинжин урвал)

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