Detection of a novel enterotropic Mycoplasma gallisepticum-like in European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) around poultry farms in France

Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in southwest France have raised questions regarding the role of commensal wild birds in the introduction and dissemination of pathogens between poultry farms. To assess possible infectious contacts at the wild-domestic bird interface, the presence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) was studied in the two sympatric compartments in southwest France. Among various peridomestic wild birds (n=385), standard PCR primers targeting the 16S rRNA of MG showed a high apparent prevalence (up to 45%) in cloacal swabs of European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris, n=108), while the MG-specific mgc2 gene was not detected. No tracheal swab of these birds tested positive, and no clinical sign was observed in positive birds, suggesting commensalism in the digestive tract of starlings. A mycoplasma strain was then isolated from a starling swab and its whole genome was sequenced using both Illumina and Nanopore technologies. Phylogenetic analysis showed that it was closely related to MG and M. tullyi, although it was a distinct species. A pair of specific PCR primers targeting the mgc2-like gene of this MG-like strain was designed and used to screen again the same avian populations and a wintering urban population of starlings (n=50). Previous PCR results obtained in starlings were confirmed to be mostly due to this strain (20/22 positive pools). In contrast, the strain was not detected in fresh faeces of urban starlings. Furthermore, it was detected in one tracheal pool of cattle egrets and one cloacal pool of white wagtails, suggesting infectious transmissions between synanthropic birds with similar feeding behaviour. As the new starling mycoplasma was not detected in free-range ducks (n=80) in close contact with positive starlings, nor in backyard (n=320) and free-range commercial (n=720) chickens of the area, it might not infect poultry. However, it could be involved in mycoplasma gene transfer in such multi-species contexts.

Download Full-text

Two clusters of human infection with influenza A/H5N1 virus in the Republic of Azerbaijan, February–March 2006

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/esm.11.05.00620-en ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 3-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

A Gilsdorf ◽

N Boxall ◽

V Gasimov ◽

I Agayev ◽

F Mammadzade ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Virus Infection ◽

Influenza A ◽

H5n1 Virus ◽

Close Contact ◽

Bird Species ◽

Wild Birds ◽

World Health ◽

Probable Case ◽

Domestic Bird ◽

The Republic

Following the appearance of influenza A/H5 virus infection in several wild and domestic bird species in the Republic of Azerbaijan in February 2006, two clusters of potential human avian influenza due to A/H5N1 (HAI) cases were detected and reported by the Ministry of Health (MoH) to the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe during the first two weeks of March 2006. On 15 March 2006, WHO led an international team, including infection control, clinical management, epidemiology, laboratory, and communications experts, to support the MoH in investigation and response activities. As a result of active surveillance, 22 individuals, including six deaths, were evaluated for HAI and associated risk infections in six districts. The investigations revealed eight cases with influenza A/H5N1 virus infection confirmed by a WHO Collaborating Centre for Influenza and one probable case for which samples were not available. The cases were in two unrelated clusters in Salyan (seven laboratory confirmed cases, including four deaths) and Tarter districts (one confirmed case and one probable case, both fatal). Close contact with and de-feathering of infected wild swans was considered to be the most plausible source of exposure to influenza A/H5N1 virus in the Salyan cluster, although difficulties in eliciting information were encountered during the investigation, because of the illegality of some of the activities that might have led to the exposures (hunting and trading in wild birds and their products). These cases constitute the first outbreak worldwide where wild birds were the most likely source of influenza A/H5N1 virus infection in humans. The rapid mobilisation of resources to contain the spread of influenza A/H5 in the two districts was achieved through collaboration between the MoH, WHO and its international partners. Control activities were supported by the establishment of a field laboratory with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) capacity to detect influenza A/H5 virus. Daily door-to-door surveillance undertaken in the two affected districts made it unlikely that human cases of influenza A/H5N1 virus infection remained undetected.

Download Full-text

First detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in Norway

BMC Veterinary Research ◽

10.1186/s12917-021-02928-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Knut Madslien ◽

Torfinn Moldal ◽

Britt Gjerset ◽

Sveinn Gudmundsson ◽

Arne Follestad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Avian Influenza ◽

Influenza A ◽

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Wild Birds ◽

Zoonotic Potential ◽

Active Monitoring ◽

Main Hypothesis ◽

Highly Pathogenic ◽

Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Poultry Farms

Abstract Background Several outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) caused by influenza A virus of subtype H5N8 have been reported in wild birds and poultry in Europe during autumn 2020. Norway is one of the few countries in Europe that had not previously detected HPAI virus, despite widespread active monitoring of both domestic and wild birds since 2005. Results We report detection of HPAI virus subtype H5N8 in a wild pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus), and several other geese, ducks and a gull, from south-western Norway in November and December 2020. Despite previous reports of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI), this constitutes the first detections of HPAI in Norway. Conclusions The mode of introduction is unclear, but a northward migration of infected geese or gulls from Denmark or the Netherlands during the autumn of 2020 is currently our main hypothesis for the introduction of HPAI to Norway. The presence of HPAI in wild birds constitutes a new, and ongoing, threat to the Norwegian poultry industry, and compliance with the improved biosecurity measures on poultry farms should therefore be ensured. [MK1]Finally, although HPAI of subtype H5N8 has been reported to have very low zoonotic potential, this is a reminder that HPAI with greater zoonotic potential in wild birds may pose a threat in the future. [MK1]Updated with a sentence emphasizing the risk HPAI pose to poultry farms, both in the Abstract and in the Conclusion-section in main text, as suggested by Reviewer 1 (#7).

Download Full-text

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses at the Wild–Domestic Bird Interface in Europe: Future Directions for Research and Surveillance

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13020212 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 212

Author(s):

Josanne H. Verhagen ◽

Ron A. M. Fouchier ◽

Nicola Lewis

Keyword(s):

Avian Influenza ◽

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Wild Birds ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Highly Pathogenic ◽

Future Directions ◽

Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Domestic Bird ◽

Hpai H5n1 ◽

Host Identification

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in wild birds and poultry are no longer a rare phenomenon in Europe. In the past 15 years, HPAI outbreaks—in particular those caused by H5 viruses derived from the A/Goose/Guangdong/1/1996 lineage that emerged in southeast Asia in 1996—have been occuring with increasing frequency in Europe. Between 2005 and 2020, at least ten HPAI H5 incursions were identified in Europe resulting in mass mortalities among poultry and wild birds. Until 2009, the HPAI H5 virus outbreaks in Europe were caused by HPAI H5N1 clade 2.2 viruses, while from 2014 onwards HPAI H5 clade 2.3.4.4 viruses dominated outbreaks, with abundant genetic reassortments yielding subtypes H5N1, H5N2, H5N3, H5N4, H5N5, H5N6 and H5N8. The majority of HPAI H5 virus detections in wild and domestic birds within Europe coincide with southwest/westward fall migration and large local waterbird aggregations during wintering. In this review we provide an overview of HPAI H5 virus epidemiology, ecology and evolution at the interface between poultry and wild birds based on 15 years of avian influenza virus surveillance in Europe, and assess future directions for HPAI virus research and surveillance, including the integration of whole genome sequencing, host identification and avian ecology into risk-based surveillance and analyses.

Download Full-text

Effects of free-range chickens and geese on insect pests and weeds in an agroecosystem

American Journal of Alternative Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0889189300006718 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 39-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

M. Sean Clark ◽

Stuart H. Gage

Keyword(s):

Insect Pests ◽

Bird Species ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Apple Fruit ◽

Apple Orchard ◽

Japanese Beetle ◽

Plum Curculio ◽

Free Range ◽

Domestic Bird

AbstractWe evaluated the effects of free-range chickens and geese on insect pests and weeds in an experimental, nonchemical agroecosystem consisting of an apple orchard with intercropped potatoes. The objective was to assess the potential of these domestic bird species as biological control agents. Four insect pests were studied: plum curculio, apple maggot, Japanese beetle, and Colorado potato beetle. Chickens fed on several potential crop pests, including Japanese beetle. Although Japanese beetles were less abundant on apple trees when chickens were present, the proportion of damaged fruit was not reduced. Furthermore, chickens did not affect weed abundance or crop productivity. In contrast, geese were effective weeders. Their activities reduced weed abundance and increased potato plant growth and yields compared with a minimally weeded control. In addition, the activities of geese indirectly reduced apple fruit damage by plum curculio and increased the proportion of pest-free fruit, possibly because removal of vegetation by the geese reduced humidity at the soil surface and therefore reduced the activity of plum curculio.

Download Full-text

Exchange of Newcastle disease viruses in Korea: The relatedness of isolates between wild birds, live bird markets, poultry farms and neighboring countries

Infection Genetics and Evolution ◽

10.1016/j.meegid.2011.12.004 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 478-482 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Byoung-Yoon Kim ◽

Dong-Hun Lee ◽

Myeong-Seob Kim ◽

Jun-Hyuk Jang ◽

Yu-Na Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Newcastle Disease ◽

Wild Birds ◽

Live Bird Markets ◽

Poultry Farms ◽

Live Bird

Download Full-text

Occurrence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum in wild birds: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0231545 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. e0231545 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anna Sawicka ◽

Maciej Durkalec ◽

Grzegorz Tomczyk ◽

Olimpia Kursa

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Mycoplasma Gallisepticum ◽

Wild Birds

Download Full-text

An experimental model to analyse the risk of introduction of a duck-originated H5 low-pathogenic avian influenza virus in poultry through close contact and contaminative transmission

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268813002793 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 142 (9) ◽

pp. 1836-1847 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

G. CLAES ◽

S. MARCHÉ ◽

J. DEWULF ◽

T. VAN DEN BERG ◽

B. LAMBRECHT

Keyword(s):

Avian Influenza ◽

Close Contact ◽

Animal Experiments ◽

Wild Birds ◽

Influenza Viruses ◽

Pathogenic Avian Influenza ◽

Contaminated Drinking Water ◽

Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus ◽

Efficient Route ◽

Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza

SUMMARYAquatic wild birds are often carriers of low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIVs). If H5 and H7 LPAIVs are transmitted to poultry and have the opportunity to circulate, a highly pathogenic AIV may arise. Contact with aquatic wild birds is one of the most important ways in which these LPAIVs can be introduced into poultry flocks. In this study, the transmissibility of a duck-originated H5 LPAIV between ducks and chickens was analysed in a series of animal experiments, using different transmission routes. Results indicate that the outcome of virus intake by chickens exposed to infectious ducks depends on the way the virus is presented. Faecally contaminated drinking water proved to be the most efficient route by which the virus can be transmitted to chickens. The results from this study also suggest that some duck-originated H5 LPAIVs may be introduced to poultry but do not have the potential to become established in poultry populations.

Download Full-text