Open Access
Research (Published online: 25-06-2017)
20. Investigation of avian influenza infection in wild birds in Ismailia and Damietta cities, Egypt
Hanaa Mohamed Fadel and Rabab Afifi
Veterinary World, 10(6): 695-701

Hanaa Mohamed Fadel: Department of Animal Hygiene and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.
Rabab Afifi: Department of Wildlife and Zoo Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.695-701

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Article history: Received: 05-01-2017, Accepted: 05-05-2017, Published online: 25-06-2017

Corresponding author: Hanaa Mohamed Fadel

E-mail: hanaamohamedfadel@ymail.com

Citation: Fadel HM, Afifi R (2017) Investigation of avian influenza infection in wild birds in Ismailia and Damietta cities, Egypt, Veterinary World, 10(6): 695-701.
Abstract

Aim: This study was carried out to monitor avian influenza (AI) infection in wild birds in Egypt.

Materials and Methods: A total of 135 wild birds were examined for the presence of H5, H7, and H9 hemagglutination inhibition antibodies. Organs and swab samples of 75 birds were screened by multiplex real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) to detect AI subtypes H5, H7, and H9 matrix genes.

Results: The highest seropositive result was recorded in cattle egrets (90.9%) followed by crows (88.6%), semi-captive pigeons (44.8%), and moorhens (39.1%). In cattle egrets, semi-captive pigeons and moorhens, H5 antibodies predominated. In crows, H9 antibodies predominated. Multiple infections with two or three virus subtypes were highest in crows (6/39, 15.4%) followed by cattle egrets (3/30, 10%) and moorhens' (1/9, 11.1%) positive samples. Multiplex RRT-PCR results revealed two positive samples in cattle egrets and moorhens.

Conclusion: The results indicated high seropositive rates against AI virus subtypes H5 and H9 in the examined wild birds. Multiple infections with more than one AI virus (AIV) subtypes were detected in some birds. This requires a collaboration of efforts to monitor AIV infection in wild birds and implement suitable early intervention measures.

Keywords: avian influenza, hemagglutination inhibition, real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, wild birds.

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