Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-x4r87 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T05:51:07.329Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Serological and virological surveys of the influenza A viruses in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic penguins

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 March 2013

F. Xavier Abad ,
Núria Busquets ,
Azucena Sanchez ,
Peter G. Ryan ,
Natàlia Majó  and
Jacob Gonzalez-Solís
F. Xavier Abad*
Affiliation:
CReSA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal, UAB-IRTA, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain
Núria Busquets
Affiliation:
CReSA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal, UAB-IRTA, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain
Azucena Sanchez
Affiliation:
Departamento de Enfermedades Emergentes, Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria, Ctra. Algete, km 8, 28110 Algete, Madrid, Spain
Peter G. Ryan
Affiliation:
Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
Natàlia Majó
Affiliation:
CReSA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal, UAB-IRTA, 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
Jacob Gonzalez-Solís
Affiliation:
Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio) and Dept Biologia Animal, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal, 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
*
xavier.abad@cresa.uab.cat
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

To evaluate the avian influenza virus (AIV) circulation in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic penguins we carried out a serosurvey on six species from Livingston, Marion and Gough islands. Seropositivity against AIV was performed on serum samples using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and haemagglutination and neuraminidase inhibition assays. Some oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs were also assayed to detect influenza virus genomes by real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Overall, 12.1% (n = 140) penguins were seropositive to AIV. By species, we detected 5% (n = 19) and 11% (n = 18) seroprevalence in sub-Antarctic rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes spp.) from Gough and Marion islands, respectively, 42% (n = 33) seroprevalence in macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chysolophus Brandt), but no positives in the three other species, gentoo (Pygoscelis papua Forster; n = 25) and chinstrap penguins (P. antarctica Forster; n = 16), from Livingston Island and king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus Miller; n = 27) from Marion Island. While seropositivity reflected previous exposure to the AIV, the influenza genome was not detected. Our results indicate that AIV strains have circulated in penguin species in the sub-Antarctic region, but further studies are necessary to determine the precise role that such penguin species play in AIV epidemiology and if this circulation is species (or genus) specific.

Keywords

antibodiesASPAavian pathogensinfluenza prevalencemarine animals
Type
Research Articles
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 25 , Issue 2: Byers Peninsula – A New Reference Site For The Maritime Antarctic , April 2013 , pp. 339 - 344
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2013

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

*

These authors contributed equally to this work.

References

Abolnik, C., Gerdes, G.H., Sinclair, M., Ganzevoort, B.W., Kitching, J.P., Burger, C.E., Romito, M., Dreyer, M., Swanepoel, S., Cumming, G.S.Olivier, A.J. 2010. Phylogenetic analysis of influenza A viruses (H6N8, H1N8, H4N2, H9N2, H10N7) isolated from wild birds, ducks, and ostriches in South Africa from 2007 to 2009. Avian Diseases, 54, 313–322.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Austin, F.J.Webster, R.G. 1993. Evidence of ortho and paramyxoviruses in fauna from Antarctica. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 29, 568–571.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barbosa, A.Palacios, M.J. 2009. The health of Antarctic birds: a review of their parasites, pathogens and diseases. Polar Biology, 32, 1095–1115.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Baumeister, E., Leotta, G., Pontoriero, A., Campos, A., Monalti, D., Vig, G., Pecoraro, M.Savy, V. 2004. Serological evidence of influenza A virus infection in Antarctica migratory birds. International Congress Series, 1263, 737–740.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Briggs, L.C., Ashton, R.M.Metcalf, P. 2003. Development of a highly sensitive screen for influenza A in guano and its application in the search for ancient RNA preserved under Antarctic Adélie penguins. Avian Diseases, 47, 1200–1202.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, J.D., Luttrell, M.P., Uhart, M.M., Del Valle Ferreyra, H., Romano, M.M., Rago, M.V.Stallknecht, D.E. 2010. Antibodies to type A influenza virus in wild waterbirds from Argentina. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 46, 1040–1045.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bulach, D., Halpin, R., Spiro, D., Pomeroy, L., Janies, D.Boyle, D.B. 2010. Molecular analysis of H7 avian influenza viruses from Australia and New Zealand: genetic diversity and relationships from 1976 to 2007. Journal of Virology, 84, 9957–9966.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Busquets, N., Alba, A., Napp, S., Sánchez, A., Serrano, E., Rivas, R., Núñez, J.I.Majó, N. 2010. Influenza A virus subtypes in wild birds in north-eastern Spain (Catalonia). Virus Research, 149, 10–18.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Capua, I.Alexander, D.J. 2006. The challenge of avian influenza to the veterinary community. Avian Pathology, 35, 189–205.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chang, C.-M., Lebarbenchon, C., Gauthier-Clerc, M., Le Bohec, C., Beaune, D., Le Maho, Y.van der Werf, S. 2009. Molecular surveillance for avian influenza A virus in king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus). Polar Biology, 32, 663–665.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chown, S.L., Lee, J.E., Hughes, K.A., Barnes, J., Barrett, P.J., Bergstrom, D.M., Convey, P., Cowan, D.A., Crosbie, K., Dyer, G., Frenot, Y., Grant, S.M., Herr, D., Kennicutt, M.C., Lamers, M., Murray, A., Possingham, H.P., Reid, K., Riddle, M., Ryan, P.G., Sanson, L., Shaw, J.D., Sparrow, M.D., Summerhayes, C., Terauds, A.Wall, D.H. 2012. Challenges to the future conservation of the Antarctic. Science, 337, 158–159.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clarke, J.Kerry, K. 2000. Disease and parasites of penguin. Penguin Conservation, 13, 5–24.Google Scholar
Cooper, J., Crawford, R.J.M., de Villiers, M., Dyer, B.M., Hofmeyr, G.J.G.Jonker, A. 2009. Disease outbreaks among penguins at sub-Antarctic Marion Island: a conservation concern. Marine Ornithology, 37, 193–196.Google Scholar
Cumming, G.S., Hockey, P.A.R., Bruinzeel, L.W.du Plessis, M.A. 2008. Wild bird movements and avian influenza risk mapping in southern Africa. Ecology Society, 13, 26–40.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Davidson, R., Simard, M., Kutz, S.J., Kapel, C.M.O., Hamnes, I.S.Robertson, L.J. 2011. Arctic parasitology: why should we care? Trends in Parasitology, 27, 238–244.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Flint, P.L.Franson, J.C. 2009. Does influenza A affect body condition of wild mallard ducks, or vice versa? Proceedings of the Royal Society, B276, 2345–2346.Google Scholar
Garamszegi, L.Z.Møller, A.P. 2007. Prevalence of avian influenza and host ecology. Proceeding of the Royal Society, B274, 2003–2012.Google Scholar
Gauthier-Clerc, M., Eterradossi, N., Toquin, D., Guittet, M., Kuntz, G.Le Maho, Y. 2002. Serological survey of the king penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus, in Crozet Archipelago for antibodies to infectious bursal disease, influenza A and Newcastle disease viruses. Polar Biology, 25, 316–319.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ghersi, B.M., Blazes, D.L., Icochea, E., Gonzalez, R.I., Kochel, T., Tinoco, Y., Sovero, M.M., Lindstrom, S., Shu, B., Klimov, A., Gonzalez, A.E.Montgomery, J.M. 2009. Avian influenza in wild birds, central coast of Peru. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 15, 935–938.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hanson, B.A., Lutrell, M.P., Goekjian, V.H., Niles, L., Swayne, D.E., Senne, D.A.Stallknecht, D.E. 2008. Is the occurrence of avian influenza virus in charadriiformes species and location dependent? Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 44, 351–361.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Karesh, W.B., Uhart, M.M., Frere, E., Gandini, P., Braselton, W.E., Puche, H.Cook, R.A. 1999. Health evaluation of free-ranging rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) in Argentina. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 30, 25–31.Google Scholar
Latorre-Margalef, N., Gunnarsson, G., Munster, V.J., Fouchier, R.A.M., Osterhaus, A.D.M.E., Elmberg, J., Olsen, B., Wallensten, A., Fransson, T., Brudin, L.Waldesntröm, J. 2009a. Effects of influenza A virus infection on migrating mallard ducks. Proceedings of the Royal Society, B276, 1029–1036.Google Scholar
Latorre-Margalef, N., Gunnarsson, G., Munster, V.J., Fouchier, R.A.M., Osterhaus, A.D.M.E., Elmberg, J., Olsen, B., Wallensten, A., Fransson, T., Brudin, L.Waldenström, J. 2009b. Does influenza A affect body condition of wild mallard ducks, or vice versa? A reply to Flint and Franson. Proceedings of the Royal Society, B276, 2347–2349.Google Scholar
Marchant, S.Higgins, P.J. 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds, vol. 1. Ratites to ducks. Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1048 pp.Google Scholar
Miller, P.J., Afonso, C.L., Spackman, E., Scott, M.A., Pedersen, J.C., Senne, D.A., Brown, J.D., Fuller, C.M., Uhart, M.M., Karesh, W.B.Brown, I.H. 2010. Evidence for a new avian paramyxovirus serotype 10 detected in rockhopper penguins from the Falkland Islands. Journal of Virology, 84, 11 496–11 504.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Møller, A.P., Arriero, E., Lobato, E.Merino, S. 2009. A meta-analysis of parasite virulence in nestling birds. Biology Reviews, 84, 567–588.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morgan, I.R.Westbury, H.A. 1981. Virological studies of Adélie penguins. Avian Diseases, 25, 1019–1026.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morgan, I.R., Westbury, H.A., Caple, I.W.Campbell, J. 1981. A survey of virus infection in sub-Antarctic penguins on Macquarie Island, Southern Ocean. Australian Veterinary Journal, 57, 333–335.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Munster, V.J., Baas, C., Lexmond, P., Waldenström, J., Wallensten, A., Fransson, T., Rimmelzwaan, G.F., Beyer, W.E.P., Schutten, M., Olsen, B., Osterhaus, A.D.M.E.Fouchier, R.A.M. 2007. Spatial, temporal, and species variation in prevalence of influenza A viruses in wild migratory birds. PLoS Pathogens, 3, e61.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Olsen, B., Munster, V.J., Wallensten, A., Waldenström, J., Osterhaus, A.D.M.E.Fouchier, R.A.M. 2006. Global patterns of influenza A virus in wild birds. Science, 312, 384–388.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, K.M., Karesh, W.B., Majluf, P., Paredes, R., Zavalaga, C., Reul, A.H., Stetter, M., Braselton, W.E., Puche, H.Cook, R.A. 2008. Health evaluation of free-ranging Humboldt penguins (Sphenicus humboldti) in Peru. Avian Diseases, 52, 130–135.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Spackman, E., Senne, D.A., Myers, T.J., Bulaga, L.L., Garber, L.P., Perdue, M.L., Lohman, K., Daum, L.T.Suarez, D.L. 2002. Development of a real-time reverse transcriptase PCR assay for type A influenza virus and the avian H5 and H7 hemagglutinin subtypes. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 9, 3256–3260.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tong, S., Li, Y., Rivailler, P., Conrady, C., Alvarez Castillo, D.A., Chen, L.-M., Recuenco, S., Ellison, J.A., Davis, C.T., York, I.A., Turmelle, A.S., Moran, D., Rogers, S., Shi, M., Tao, Y., Weil, M.R., Tang, K., Rowe, L.A., Sammons, S., Xu, X., Frace, M., Lindblade, K.A., Cox, N.J., Anderson, L.J., Rupprecht, C.E.Donis, R.O. 2012. A distinct lineage of influenza A virus from bats. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 109, 4269–4274.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Van Gils, J.A., Munster, V.J., Radersma, R., Liefhebber, D., Fouchier, R.A.M.Klaassen, M. 2007. Hampered foraging and migratory performance in swans infected with low-pathogenic avian influenza A virus. PloS One, 2, e184.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wallensten, A., Munster, V.J., Osterhaus, A.D.M.E., Waldenström, J., Bonnedahl, J., Broman, T., Fouchier, R.A.M.Olsen, B. 2006. Mounting evidence for the presence of influenza A virus in the avifauna of the Antarctic region. Antarctic Science, 18, 353–356.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Webster, R.G., Bean, W.J., Gorman, O.T., Chambers, T.M.Kawaoka, Y. 1992. Evolution and ecology of influenza A viruses. Microbiology Reviews, 56, 152–179.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Weimerskirch, H. 2004. Diseases threaten Southern Ocean albatrosses. Polar Biology, 27, 374–379.CrossRefGoogle Scholar