tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
PLoS One. 2014 Jan 29;9(1):e70639. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070639. eCollection 2014.
Extended Viral Shedding of a Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus by Striped Skunks (Mephitis mephitis).
Root JJ1, Shriner SA1, Bentler KT1, Gidlewski T2, Mooers NL1, Ellis JW1, Spraker TR3, Vandalen KK1, Sullivan HJ1, Franklin AB1.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) are susceptible to infection with some influenza A viruses. However, the viral shedding capability of this peri-domestic mammal and its potential role in influenza A virus ecology are largely undetermined.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:
Striped skunks were experimentally infected with a low pathogenic (LP) H4N6 avian influenza virus (AIV) and monitored for 20 days post infection (DPI). All of the skunks exposed to H4N6 AIV shed large quantities of viral RNA, as detected by real-time RT-PCR and confirmed for live virus with virus isolation, from nasal washes and oral swabs (maximum ≤10(6.02) PCR EID50 equivalent/mL and ≤10(5.19) PCR EID50 equivalent/mL, respectively). Some evidence of potential fecal shedding was also noted. Following necropsy on 20 DPI, viral RNA was detected in the nasal turbinates of one individual. All treatment animals yielded evidence of a serological response by 20 DPI.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:
These results indicate that striped skunks have the potential to shed large quantities of viral RNA through the oral and nasal routes following exposure to a LP AIV. Considering the peri-domestic nature of these animals, along with the duration of shedding observed in this species, their presence on poultry and waterfowl operations could influence influenza A virus epidemiology. For example, this species could introduce a virus to a naive poultry flock or act as a trafficking mechanism of AIV to and from an infected poultry flock to naive flocks or wild bird populations.
PMID:
24489638
[PubMed - in process]
Free full text
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24489638
Extended Viral Shedding of a Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus by Striped Skunks (Mephitis mephitis).
Root JJ1, Shriner SA1, Bentler KT1, Gidlewski T2, Mooers NL1, Ellis JW1, Spraker TR3, Vandalen KK1, Sullivan HJ1, Franklin AB1.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) are susceptible to infection with some influenza A viruses. However, the viral shedding capability of this peri-domestic mammal and its potential role in influenza A virus ecology are largely undetermined.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:
Striped skunks were experimentally infected with a low pathogenic (LP) H4N6 avian influenza virus (AIV) and monitored for 20 days post infection (DPI). All of the skunks exposed to H4N6 AIV shed large quantities of viral RNA, as detected by real-time RT-PCR and confirmed for live virus with virus isolation, from nasal washes and oral swabs (maximum ≤10(6.02) PCR EID50 equivalent/mL and ≤10(5.19) PCR EID50 equivalent/mL, respectively). Some evidence of potential fecal shedding was also noted. Following necropsy on 20 DPI, viral RNA was detected in the nasal turbinates of one individual. All treatment animals yielded evidence of a serological response by 20 DPI.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:
These results indicate that striped skunks have the potential to shed large quantities of viral RNA through the oral and nasal routes following exposure to a LP AIV. Considering the peri-domestic nature of these animals, along with the duration of shedding observed in this species, their presence on poultry and waterfowl operations could influence influenza A virus epidemiology. For example, this species could introduce a virus to a naive poultry flock or act as a trafficking mechanism of AIV to and from an infected poultry flock to naive flocks or wild bird populations.
PMID:
24489638
[PubMed - in process]
Free full text
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24489638