The occurrence of virus enteritis (duck plague) in wild birds]

296 samples from wild birds of 15 species were incorporated into long term exploration of duck plague on ducks in farms. By using virological and serological standard methods 9 virus carriers and 20 serum samples showing positive antibody titers could be detected. The epidemiology as well as the relation of the incidence of duck plague in wild birds and farm poultry is discussed.     

Establishment of a competitive ELISA (cELISA) system for the detection of influenza A virus nucleoprotein antibodies and its application to field sera from different species

A recombinant baculovirus (RBV) encoding the nucleoprotein (NP) of avian influenza virus (AIV) was generated and the appropriate protein was expressed in Sf9 cells. Purified recombinant NP and the NP-specific monoclonal antibody HB65 were used to establish a competitive ELISA (cELISA) system for the detection of NP-specific antibodies in sera of ducks, geese and wild birds. Tests to evaluate this method were carried out using sera of ducks experimentally infected with AIV, pre-immune duck and chicken sera, and poultry field sera, which tested negative in the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay, and field sera of several poultry species experimentally infected with other viruses. The evaluation of the test demonstrated a high sensitivity and specificity of this method. Tests carried out using field sera of duck and goose flocks revealed widely corresponding results obtained by HI assay and cELISA indicating that this test is applicable for flock diagnosis. Differing results were obtained for individual samples. It can be assumed that for the most part this was because of a better recognition of the conserved NP antigen by serum antibodies, although some results remained unclear.     

Surveillance of Marek's disease virus in migratory and sedentary birds in Hokkaido, Japan

Marek's disease virus serotype 1 (MDV-1) strains cause malignant lymphoma in chickens. MDV-1 has been previously reported to be widespread in white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons); however, the prevalence of MDV-1 in other wild birds has not been determined. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of MDV-1 in various wild birds in Hokkaido, Japan. The MDV-1 genome was widespread in geese and ducks, but was not detected in other birds. MDV-1 was detected in both sedentary and migratory species. These results suggest that, in Japan, MDV-1 is widespread in wild goose and duck populations, and that resident ducks may be significant carriers and reservoirs of MDV-1.     

A survey of gastro-intestinal parasitic infection in domestic and wild birds in Chittagong and Greater Sylhet,Bangladesh

A survey of gastrointestinal parasitic infection as determined by faecal examination was conducted among domestic and wild birds in Bangladesh. Birds were sampled from households, wet markets and wetlands in Chittagong and Greater Sylhet districts during April 2012 to February 2013. Mist nets were used to catch resident wild and migratory birds. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection ranged among locations from 25 to 55% in indigenous domestic ducks (live bird samples = 304), 20% in resident wild birds (environmental faecal samples = 40) and 40% in migratory birds (live bird samples = 35). The prevalence of parasitic infection was significantly higher in indigenous domestic ducks collected during summer (39%) than winter (22%) (p = 0.04). In domestic indigenous ducks and Muscovy ducks, both single and multiple types of parasitic infections were found. However, other domestic birds and wild birds often had a single type of parasitic infection. Ascaridia spp. with an average egg load of 50–900, was commonly detected in faecal samples of domestic and wild birds in this study. Other identified parasites were Capillaria spp. and Heterakis spp. both in domestic and wild birds. Improvement of biosecurity measures for household duck farms through educating and motivating household farmers could help mitigate the effects of parasitic infection on production.     

Chlamydiosis in workers at a duck farm and processing plant

SUMMARY An outbreak of chlamydiosis was Investigated in workers at a duck farm and processing plant during winter 1989. Chlamydia psittaci was isolated from ducks, but there was little evidence of clinical chlamydiosis in the ducks. Serological tests showed that 76% of workers had been exposed to Infection, 12% recently, 16% had not been exposed and 8% had inconclusive test results. There was a strong association (P < 0.05) between years of employment and exposure to Infection. Infection appeared to be contracted during the first year of employment. Measures were Implemented to reduce shed contamination and control rodents and wild birds. At the same time, ducks were medicated, the processing plant was modified, work practices were altered and workers were advised about chlamydiosis to reduce the risk of human infection.     

Genetic relationship of H3 subtype avian influenza viruses isolated from domestic ducks and wild birds in Korea and their pathogenic potential in chickens and ducks

The H3 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) is one of the most frequently isolated subtypes in domestic ducks, live poultry markets, and wild birds in Korea. In 2002-2009, a total of 45 H3 subtype AIVs were isolated from the feces of clinically normal domestic ducks (n=28) and wild birds (n=17). The most prevalent subtypes in domestic ducks were H3N2 (35.7%), H3N6 (35.7%), H3N8 (25.0%), and H3N1 (3.6%, novel subtype in domestic duck in Korea). In contrast, H3N8 (70.6%) is the most prevalent subtype in wild birds in Korea. In the phylogenetic analysis, HA genes of the Korean H3 AIVs were divided into 3 groups (Korean duck, wild bird 1, and wild bird 2) and all viruses of duck origin except one were clustered in a single group. However, other genes showed extensive diversity and at least 17 genotypes were circulating in domestic ducks in Korea. When the analysis expanded to viruses of wild bird origin, the genetic diversity of Korean H3 AIVs became more complicated. Extensive reassortments may have occurred in H3 subtype influenza viruses in Korea. When we inoculated chickens and ducks with six selected viruses, some of the viruses replicated efficiently without pre-adaptation and shed a significant amount of viruses through oropharyngeal and cloacal routes. This raised concerns that H3 subtype AIV could be a new subtype in chickens in Korea. Continuous surveillance is needed to prepare the advent of a novel subtype AIV in Korea.     

Influence of dietary calcium on lead poisoning in mallard ducks (Anas platyrynchos)

Forty-five mallard ducks were allotted into 3 dietary groups. Group I was fed pelleted calcium-supplemented corn; group II was fed a pelleted commercial duck ration; and group III was fed cracked corn. Ten ducks of each group were given four No. 4 lead shot via an esophageal tube, and 5 ducks of each dietary group were kept as pair-fed controls. Anorexia and weight loss were most severe in the treated group III ducks. Group III had a maximum reduction in food consumption of 87% followed by a slight improvement in appetite; they lost 35% of their initial body weight. Group I treated ducks had a reduction in food consumption of 64% that eventually returned to the quantities consumed at the start of the experiment; group I ducks lost 18% of their initial body weight. Group II treated ducks maintained healthy appetites during the experiment and had a weight gain of 2% of their initial body weight. The number of ducks that became moribund and were euthanatized differed significantly among the treated groups with 100% of group III, 50% of group I, and 0% of group II treated ducks becoming moribund. All 3 groups of treated ducks had increased protoporphyrin IX concentrations compared with controls. Groups I and III lead-treated ducks had significant (P less than 0.05) reductions in erythrocyte counts, PCV, hemoglobin concentrations, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations as compared with controls. Group II had reduced hemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration compared with controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Botulism of aquatic birds at the Stary u Pohorelic pond (Breclav District)

In the years 1981 and 1982 when a mass mortality of wild and domestic water birds was observed on the Stary pond, eleven diseases or just died birds were examined by the neutralization test for botulotoxin and four sludge samples for the presence of Clostridium botulinum. C. Botulinum toxin of C type was detected in four wild ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) from September 1981 and July 1982 and in one gull (Larus ridibundus) and July 1982. The highest titres (of mice i. p. LD50/g) of botulotoxin in ducks were 10(6.3) in the intestinal contents, 10(6.1) in the liver tissue and 10(5.1) in the stomach contents. In one duck we detected, besides the C type, a smaller botulotoxin amount of A type. Therefore we can recommend a complete serotypifying for the cases of botulism in water birds. Out of four sludge samples collected in September 1982 one sample was negative, whereas in three samples the C botulotoxin was demonstrated after propagation and one C. botulinum strain of C type was isolated.     

Outbreak of duck plague (duck herpesvirus enteritis) in numerous species of captive ducks and geese in temporal conjunction with enforced biosecurity (in-house keeping) due to the threat of avian influenza A virus of the subtype Asia H5N1

The continuing westward spread of avian influenza A virus of the subtype H5N1 in free-living and domestic birds forced the European Union and the German federal government to enhance all biosecurity measures including in-house keeping of all captive birds from October 20 to December 15, 2005. Movement of captive ducks and geese of many different species from a free-range system to tight enclosures and maintenance for prolonged times in such overcrowded sheds resulted in pronounced disturbance of natural behaviour, interruption of mating and breeding activities and possibly additional stress. Under these conditions the birds developed signs of severe disease and enhanced mortality twentyfour days later. A total of 17 out of 124 (14%) adult birds and 149 out of 184 year-old birds (81 %) died during the outbreak. A herpesvirus was isolated from many organs of succumbed ducks and geese that was identified as a duck plague herpesvirus by cross neutralization test using known antisera against duck plague virus. The published host range of duck plague comprises 34 species within the order Anseriformes. We report here on additional 14 species of this order that were found to be susceptible to duck plague virus. The exact source of the herpesvirus could not identified. However, low antibody titres in some ducks at day of vaccination indicate that at least some of the birds were latently infected with a duck plague herpesvirus. The remaining healthy appearing birds were subcutaneously vaccinated with a modified live duck plague vaccine (Intervet, Boxmeer, NL) that stopped losses and resulted in seroconversion in most of the vaccinated birds.     

The progressive effects of a high‐fat diet on erythrocyte osmotic fragility,growth performance and serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels in Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) and Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata)

To investigate the progressive effects of a high‐fat diet on erythrocyte osmotic fragility, growth performance and serum lipid concentrations in Guinea fowl and Muscovy ducks, 36 Guinea fowl and 36 Muscovy ducks were divided into two groups, for each species, and fed either a standard (STD = commercial poultry feed) or high‐fat diet (HFD = commercial poultry feed with 20% palm oil and 2% lard) for up to 12 weeks. After 4, 8 and 12 weeks on the diets, six birds from each group were euthanized and blood samples collected. Osmotic fragility was assessed by measuring the haemoglobin released by erythrocytes placed in serially diluted solutions of phosphate‐buffered saline, spectrophotometrically. Serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were also determined. Fragiligrams from erythrocytes from both species of birds on the HFD were not different to those on the STD. However, Muscovy duck erythrocytes were more resistant to haemolysis compared with Guinea fowl erythrocytes. Final body mass and serum triglyceride levels were not significantly different (p > 0.05, anova ) between the birds in the HFD and STD groups, for both species of birds. In contrast, serum cholesterol levels were significantly higher in birds on the HFD compared with those on the STD, after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of feeding, for both species of birds. Feeding Guinea fowl and Muscovy ducks a high‐fat diet for up to 12 weeks resulted in hypercholesterolaemia but had no effect on final body mass, erythrocyte osmotic fragility or serum triglyceride concentrations in either bird species.     

Pathogenesis of lead shot poisoning in the mallard duck.

Adult mallard ducks were administered steel pellets to determine the rate of excretion from the gastrointestinal tract. In separate studies the ducks were administered 5 number 6 lead pellets. Birds were examined for clinical signs and sacrificed at given intervals over a 20 day period to assess changes in tissue structure and concentrations of lead with time. The above studies were conducted in 2 groups of ducks, fed a low or a high fiber diet. The rate of steel pellet excretion on birds on the low fiber diet decreased with an increase in pellet size. Pellet excretion was greatly reduced in birds fed the high fiber diet. Administration of lead shot resulted in the development of green diarrhea, anorexia and weakness. It also produced high concentrations of lead in the blood, kidney, liver and bone with lower concentrations in skeletal muscle. The major lesions were destruction of the mitotically active proventricular epithelium and medullary osteocytes, destruction of pectoral muscle cells and the presence of intranuclear inclusion bodies in the proximal tubular epithelium of the kidneys. Birds on the high fiber diet demonstrated more severe clinical signs and higher concentrations of lead in the tissues.     

Post-epizootic surveys of waterfowl for duck plague (duck virus enteritis)

Surviving birds from nine duck plague outbreaks in urban and confined waterfowl were sampled for duck plague (DP) virus and DP antibody during 1979-86. Duck plague virus was found in combined oral and cloacal swabs of birds from three outbreaks, and DP-neutralizing antibody was demonstrated in some birds from all nine outbreaks. Greater prevalence of DP antibody and higher titers were found in survivors from confined populations than from free-flying urban populations. Free-flying waterfowl from within 52 km of four DP outbreak sites were also sampled; virus was not found in any birds, but DP antibody was found in urban waterfowl in the vicinity of an outbreak in Potterville, Michigan. No evidence of exposure to or shedding of DP virus in migratory waterfowl was found in two regions where DP appears enzootic in urban and confined waterfowl (Eastern Shore of Maryland and the vicinity of Sacramento, California).     

Treatment of lead poisoning in wild geese.

Twenty-seven wild geese (Anser albifrons) suffering from lead poisoning caused by ingestion of lead shot were treated with disodium calcium ethylenediaminetetraacetate. The concentration of lead in blood ranged from 0.4 to 23.0 micrograms/ml, with a mean concentration of 5.6 micrograms/ml. In 22 of the birds, 1 to 48 lead pellets (mean, 10.5 pellets/bird) were seen on radiographs of their gizzards. Eleven of 27 birds recovered 3 to 8 weeks after the initiation of treatment. In the birds that recovered, the lead pellets were rapidly eroded as the birds recovered their appetites in response to treatment, and disappeared radiographically between treatment days 17 and 52. The birds that did not survive died within 4 weeks, despite decreased concentrations of lead in blood. Of these 16 birds, 15 had radiographic evidence of impaction of the proventriculus at the first examination and no evidence of resolution of the impaction at the time of death. In contrast, only 2 of the 11 geese that recovered had impaction of the proventriculus at the time of admission. Thus, the condition of the proventriculus seems to be the first consideration to evaluate in the prognosis of lead poisoning in geese.     

Further investigation of lead exposure as a potential threatening process for a scavenging marsupial species

There is a growing recognition of the harmful effects of lead exposure on avian and mammalian scavengers. This can lead to both lethal and non-lethal effects which may negatively impact wildlife populations. Our objective was to assess medium-term lead exposure in wild Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii). Frozen liver samples (n = 41), opportunistically collected in 2017–2022, were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine liver lead concentrations. These results were then used to calculate the proportion of animals with elevated lead levels (>5 mg/kg dry weight) and examine the role of explanatory variables that may have influenced the results. The majority of samples analysed were from the south-east corner of Tasmania, within 50 km of Hobart. No Tasmanian devil samples were found to have elevated lead levels. The median liver lead concentration was 0.17 mg/kg (range 0.05–1.32 mg/kg). Female devils were found to have significantly higher liver lead concentrations than males (P = 0.013), which was likely related to lactation, but other variables (age, location, body mass) were not significant. These results suggest that wild Tasmanian devil populations currently show minimal medium-term evidence of exposure to lead pollution, although samples were concentrated in peri-urban areas. The results provide a baseline level which can be used to assess the impact of any future changes in lead use in Tasmania. Furthermore, these data can be used as a comparison for lead exposure studies in other mammalian scavengers, including other carnivorous marsupial species.     

Host range of A/Chicken/Pennsylvania/83 (H5N2) influenza virus

The highly pathogenic A/Chicken/Penn./1370/83 (H5N2) avian influenza virus, which caused 80% mortality in chickens in Pennsylvania, produced only mild transient illness in experimentally infected pheasants, little or no clinical signs in ring-billed gulls and pigs, and no clinical signs in pekin ducks. Virus could be recovered from only the upper respiratory tract of gulls and pigs for 1-2 days. Infection in ducks resulted in intestinal replication of virus in only 1 out of 12 ducks. By contrast, pheasants shed virus in feces (10(4.7) EID50) for at least 15 days. These studies reinforce wildlife surveillance findings indicating that gulls and ducks are unlikely to have transmitted virus between chicken farms during the 1983 outbreak. Although experimental data suggest that wild gallinaceous birds such as pheasants are potentially capable of virus transmission, there has been no evidence of this from wildlife surveillance in Pennsylvania. Experimental infection of chickens with H5N2 virus isolated from wild ducks one year before the Pennsylvania outbreak or a gull virus (H5N1) isolated in the quarantine area in 1983 resulted in asymptomatic infections and virus replication occurring only in the upper respiratory tract. These studies suggest that if the first H5N2 virus infecting chickens in Pennsylvania originated from waterbirds, changes in host specificity and pathogenicity for chickens and other gallinaceous birds probably occurred during emergence of the Chicken/Penn./83 virus. It is recommended that attention be given in the future to the isolation of domestic poultry from contact with wild aquatic birds.     

基于简化基因组测序的娄门鸭遗传多样性评价

旨在通过分析娄门鸭保种群体的遗传多样性和群体结构来评估保种效果。本研究在娄门鸭保种群中随机选择同一世代163只90日龄的健康个体(39公，124母)，翅静脉采血后提取基因组DNA，利用简化基因组测序技术检测全基因组范围内的单核苷酸多态性(SNPs); 利用R软件计算个体水平的多态信息含量(PIC)、固定指数(Fix-index)、香农信息指数(SHI)、基因多样性指数(Nei)、有效等位基因数(Ne)以及本研究自创的相对多态信息含量(rPIC)等6个遗传多样性指标，并比较分析了不同染色体水平的遗传多样性指标; 同时利用admixture软件分析群体遗传结构，gcta软件分析群体主成分和个体间的亲缘关系，并分析连续性纯合片段(runs of homozygosity，ROH)以及基因组近交系数F_ROH，评估保种效果。结果显示，163只娄门鸭个体共检测到622 205个SNPs位点，质控过滤后得到374 455个高质量SNPs位点，其中50.70%的位点分布在NC_040046、NC_040047、NC_040048和NC_040049四个染色体中。娄门鸭群体PIC、Nei、Ne、SHI和rPIC指标值分别为0.154 1、0.192 9、1.336、0.296 9和0.410 9，对于SNPs而言，该群体38.80%的SNPs位点属于高度多态性位点，遗传多样性较为丰富; Fix-index值为0.320 8，说明娄门鸭群体出现了分化，这与遗传结构、PCA和亲缘关系分析将娄门鸭群体划分为3个群体的结果一致。PIC、Nei、Ne和SHI四个指标分别在不同染色体上的分布规律均一致，且4个指标两两相关性均达到0.97以上，而Fix-index与其他4个指标的相关性较低，在0.23以下，说明可以选择Fix-index以及PIC等少数指标来评估娄门鸭群体的遗传多样性。163只娄门鸭个体共检测到2 966条ROH，ROH片段长度主要集中在0~2 Mb区间; 基于ROH得到的基因组近交系数F_ROH在公、母鸭中分别为0.027 5和0.043 3，说明娄门鸭保种群近交程度较低; 具体到染色体水平，NC_040068、NC_040074染色体的F_ROH值分别达到0.352 4和0.319 3。结果提示，娄门鸭保种群的遗传多样性较丰富，群体基因组近交系数较低，但个别染色体的近交系数较高，且群体出现了部分分化。后续保种中可以将遗传结构分析得到的3个分化的亚群个体之间进行适当的非随机交配，消除目前的群体分化现象，并重点监测染色体近交系数较高的基因组区域，避免个别染色体近交系数上升过快。     

Effect of species,breed and route of virus inoculation on the pathogenicity of H5N1 highly pathogenic influenza (HPAI) viruses in domestic ducks

H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses continue to be a threat to poultry in many regions of the world. Domestic ducks have been recognized as one of the primary factors in the spread of H5N1 HPAI. In this study we examined the pathogenicity of H5N1 HPAI viruses in different species and breeds of domestic ducks and the effect of route of virus inoculation on the outcome of infection. We determined that the pathogenicity of H5N1 HPAI viruses varies between the two common farmed duck species, with Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) presenting more severe disease than various breeds of Anas platyrhynchos var. domestica ducks including Pekin, Mallard-type, Black Runners, Rouen, and Khaki Campbell ducks. We also found that Pekin and Muscovy ducks inoculated with two H5N1 HPAI viruses of different virulence, given by any one of three routes (intranasal, intracloacal, or intraocular), became infected with the viruses. Regardless of the route of inoculation, the outcome of infection was similar for each species but depended on the virulence of the virus used. Muscovy ducks showed more severe clinical signs and higher mortality than the Pekin ducks. In conclusion, domestic ducks are susceptible to H5N1 HPAI virus infection by different routes of exposure, but the presentation of the disease varied by virus strain and duck species. This information helps support the planning and implementation of H5N1 HPAI surveillance and control measures in countries with large domestic duck populations.     

Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H7N1) Transmission Between Wild Ducks and Domestic Ducks

This article describes a virological investigation in a mixed flock of ducks and geese following detection of avian influenza virus antibodies in domestic geese. Low pathogenic H7N1 was found in both domestic and wild birds, indicating that transmission of virus was likely to have taken place between these. The importance of implementing and maintaining appropriate biosecurity measures is re‐emphasized.     

Baseline hematologic, endocrine, and clinical chemistry values in ducks and roosters

Venous blood samples were collected at 3-day intervals for a total of six samples from each of five adult male pekin ducks and five adult Ross roosters. Twenty biochemical, six hematologic, and three endocrine determinations were performed on each blood or serum sample collected. The data obtained provide reference values for future studies of avian species and illustrate the utility of an automated clinical chemistry analyzer in assessing multiple serum biochemistry values in small sample volumes obtained from birds.     

Pasteurella multocida-associated sinusitis in khaki Campbell ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

Pasteurella multocida group B, serotype 3, was isolated from sinusitis-affected khaki Campbell ducks. To study the role of P. multocida in sinusitis, commercial khaki Campbell ducks were experimentally infected with P. multocida alone or combined with Escherichia coli. In Expt. 1, experimental ducks were infected with P. multocida intranasally or ocularly. A comparison was done by intranasal inoculation with pooled nasal discharge from the affected ducks or phosphate-buffered saline. The ducks intranasally inoculated with the nasal discharge or P. multocida showed sinusitis. In Expt. 2, E. coli alone or a combination of P. multocida and E. coli was intranasally inoculated into experimental ducks. The ducks intranasally inoculated with the combination of P. multocida and E. coli had sinusitis, the same as found in the field but less severe than that of the field cases. Pasteurella multocida was already present in litter/floor of duck farms. We concluded that P. multocida played a role in induction of sinusitis. However, the sinusitis in ducks may be initiated by poor management, especially in the brooding period of ducks.