Diversity of Coronaviruses in Wild Representatives of the Aves Class in Poland.

The revealed prevalence of coronaviruses in wild bird populations in Poland was 4.15% and the main reservoirs were birds from orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes, with a prevalence of 3.51% and 5.59%, respectively. Gammacoronaviruses were detected more often than deltacoronaviruses, with detection rates of 3.5% and 0.7%, respectively. Gammacoronaviruses were detected in birds belonging to six orders, including Anseriformes, Charadriiformes, Columbiformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes, and Passeriformes, indicating a relatively wide host range. Interestingly, this was the only coronavirus detected in Anseriformes (3.51%), while in Charadriiformes, the prevalence was 3.1%. The identified gammacoronaviruses belonged to the Igacovirus and Brangacovirus subgeneras. Most of these were igacoviruses and formed a common phylogenetic group with a Duck Coronavirus 2714 and two with an Avian Coronavirus/Avian Coronavirus9203, while the viruses from the pigeons formed a distinct "pigeon-like" group, not yet officially represented. The presence of deltacoronaviruses was detected in birds belonging to three orders, Charadriiformes, Galliformes, and Suliformes indicating a narrower host range. Most identified deltacoronaviruses belonged to the Buldecovirus subgenus, while only one belonged to Herdecovirus. Interestingly, the majority of buldecoviruses were identified in gulls, and they formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage not represented by any officially ratified virus species. Another separate group of buldecoviruses, also not represented by the official species, was formed by a virus identified in a common snipe. Only one identified buldecovirus (from common pheasant) formed a group with the ratified species Coronavirus HKU15. The results obtained indicate the high diversity of detected coronaviruses, and thus also the need to update their taxonomy (establishing new representative virus species). The serological studies performed revealed antibodies against an infectious bronchitis virus in the sera of white storks and mallards.

Detection of avian metapneumovirus subtype A from wild birds in the State of São Paulo, Brazil / Detecção de metapneumovirus aviário subtipo A em aves silvestres no estado de São Paulo, Brasil

The present study investigated the circulation of avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) in wild birds in Brazil. To do so, 131 samples from 366 oropharyngeal or cloacal swabs collected from 18 species of birds were tested individually or in pools by RT-PCR. Samples detected by RT-PCR were selected for DNA sequencing. Thirteen (9.9%) samples were detected by the RT-PCR targeting the N gene and four out of 13 samples were sequenced. Sequencing results showed a high identity with the aMPV subtype A. Our results confirm the circulation of the aMPV subtype A in wild birds in Brazil even five years after its last detection.(AU)

O presente estudo investigou a circulação de metapneumovírus aviário em aves silvestres no Brasil. Para tanto, 131 amostras de 366 suabes orofaringeanos ou cloacais coletados de 18 espécies de aves foram testadas individualmente ou na forma de pools por RT-PCR. As amostras detectadas por RT-PCR foram selecionadas para sequenciamento. Treze (9,9%) das amostras foram detectadas por RT-PCR tendo o gene N como alvo; destas, quatro foram sequenciadas com sucesso. Resultados do sequenciamento mostraram alta identidade com o aMPV de subtipo A. Nossos resultados confirmam a circulação de aMPV subtipo A em aves silvestres no Brasil mesmo cinco anos após sua última detecção.(AU)

Phylogenetic characterization and virulence of two Newcastle disease viruses isolated from wild birds in China.

Wild birds are considered as a natural reservoir of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). However, there is no information about genotype IX NDV from wild birds, especially from Columbiformes. In this study, two genotype IX NDV viruses were isolated from wild birds. One was from Eurasian Blackbird, while the other was from Spotted-necked dove. After purification by plaque technique, complete genomes of both viruses were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of partial fusion (F) gene and complete genome indicated both strains belonged to genotype IX. Based on intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI), the virus from Eurasian Blackbird was velogenic virus, while the strain from Spotted-necked dove was lentogenic virus. However, both strains showed one of velogenic cleavage sites. In addition, the strain from Eurasian Blackbird showed greater replication ability and generated larger fusion foci in vitro than that of strain from Spotted-necked dove. Comparing all the corresponding protein sequences of both strains, there were only 9 different amino acid residues between them. Furthermore, after analysis of these differences, the information about lentogenic NDV with multi-basic cleavage site was presented.

Assays to detect West Nile virus in dead birds.

Using oral swab samples to detect West Nile virus in dead birds, we compared the Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform (RAMP) assay with VecTest and real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The sensitivities of RAMP and VecTest for testing corvid species were 91.0% and 82.1%, respectively.