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Animals (Basel)
. 2024 Mar 27;14(7):1018.
doi: 10.3390/ani14071018. Genetic Diversity of Avian Influenza Viruses Detected in Waterbirds in Northeast Italy Using Two Different Sampling Strategies
Giulia Graziosi 1 , Caterina Lupini 1 , Federica Gobbo 2 , Bianca Zecchin 2 , Giulia Quaglia 1 , Sara Pedrazzoli 1 , Gabriele Lizzi 1 , Geremia Dosa 3 , Gabriella Martini 3 , Calogero Terregino 2 , Elena Catelli 1
Affiliations
Avian influenza viruses (AIVs), which circulate endemically in wild aquatic birds, pose a significant threat to poultry and raise concerns for their zoonotic potential. From August 2021 to April 2022, a multi-site cross-sectional study involving active AIV epidemiological monitoring was conducted in wetlands of the Emilia-Romagna region, northern Italy, adjacent to densely populated poultry areas. A total of 129 cloacal swab samples (CSs) and 407 avian faecal droppings samples (FDs) were collected, with 7 CSs (5.4%) and 4 FDs (1%) testing positive for the AIV matrix gene through rRT-PCR. A COI-barcoding protocol was applied to recognize the species of origin of AIV-positive FDs. Multiple low-pathogenic AIV subtypes were identified, and five of these were isolated, including an H5N3, an H1N1, and three H9N2 in wild ducks. Following whole-genome sequencing, phylogenetic analyses of the hereby obtained strains showed close genetic relationships with AIVs detected in countries along the Black Sea/Mediterranean migratory flyway. Notably, none of the analyzed gene segments were genetically related to HPAI H5N1 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b isolated from Italian poultry during the concurrent 2021-2022 epidemic. Overall, the detected AIV genetic diversity emphasizes the necessity for ongoing monitoring in wild hosts using diverse sampling strategies and whole-genome sequencing.
Keywords: avian faecal droppings; avian influenza; cloacal swabs; wetlands; whole-genome sequencing; wild birds.
. 2024 Mar 27;14(7):1018.
doi: 10.3390/ani14071018. Genetic Diversity of Avian Influenza Viruses Detected in Waterbirds in Northeast Italy Using Two Different Sampling Strategies
Giulia Graziosi 1 , Caterina Lupini 1 , Federica Gobbo 2 , Bianca Zecchin 2 , Giulia Quaglia 1 , Sara Pedrazzoli 1 , Gabriele Lizzi 1 , Geremia Dosa 3 , Gabriella Martini 3 , Calogero Terregino 2 , Elena Catelli 1
Affiliations
- PMID: 38612257
- PMCID: PMC11010841
- DOI: 10.3390/ani14071018
Avian influenza viruses (AIVs), which circulate endemically in wild aquatic birds, pose a significant threat to poultry and raise concerns for their zoonotic potential. From August 2021 to April 2022, a multi-site cross-sectional study involving active AIV epidemiological monitoring was conducted in wetlands of the Emilia-Romagna region, northern Italy, adjacent to densely populated poultry areas. A total of 129 cloacal swab samples (CSs) and 407 avian faecal droppings samples (FDs) were collected, with 7 CSs (5.4%) and 4 FDs (1%) testing positive for the AIV matrix gene through rRT-PCR. A COI-barcoding protocol was applied to recognize the species of origin of AIV-positive FDs. Multiple low-pathogenic AIV subtypes were identified, and five of these were isolated, including an H5N3, an H1N1, and three H9N2 in wild ducks. Following whole-genome sequencing, phylogenetic analyses of the hereby obtained strains showed close genetic relationships with AIVs detected in countries along the Black Sea/Mediterranean migratory flyway. Notably, none of the analyzed gene segments were genetically related to HPAI H5N1 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b isolated from Italian poultry during the concurrent 2021-2022 epidemic. Overall, the detected AIV genetic diversity emphasizes the necessity for ongoing monitoring in wild hosts using diverse sampling strategies and whole-genome sequencing.
Keywords: avian faecal droppings; avian influenza; cloacal swabs; wetlands; whole-genome sequencing; wild birds.