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Editor, Senior Moderator
Influenza Other Respir Viruses
. 2026 Nov;20(11):e70342.
doi: 10.1111/irv.70342.
Simone Kronborg 1 , Iben Stokholm 1 , Karen Martiny 1 , Yuan Liang 1 , Ramona Trebbien 2 , Lars Erik Larsen 1 , Charlotte Kristiane Hjulsager 2
Affiliations Expand
Background: The global increase and fluctuations in high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) cases and its impact on wild birds and poultry highlight the importance of serological surveillance. Serum is the standard sample material for antibody detection but obtaining serum from wild birds can be challenging. This study evaluated meat exudate (meat juice) as an alternative sample matrix for post-mortem detection of avian influenza virus (AIV) antibodies using commercial ELISA kits.
Methods: The method was validated using samples from Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and AIV-vaccinated birds by comparing antibody detection in serum and meat juice from neck skin, breast muscle, wing muscle, heart and cardiac blood. Subsequently, meat juice from neck skin was collected from 136 hunted wild birds, encompassing mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), and greylag geese (Anser anser), and screened for antibodies against influenza A nucleoprotein (NP) and haemagglutinin (H5).
Results: Antibodies against NDV and AIV were detected in meat juice from vaccinated birds, with high levels observed in neck skin. Antibodies against AIV NP were detected in 25/137 of the wild birds, including 23/75 mallards and in 2/59 pheasants. H5 antibodies were detected in 10/75 mallards, whereas all pheasants and geese tested negative.
Conclusions: Meat juice is a practical alternative to serum for post-mortem AIV serology in avian wildlife. It could facilitate more extensive epidemiological studies on AIV in wild birds, providing insights into the dynamics of infection and population immunity over time within bird populations.
Keywords: antibodies; birds; enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay; influenza; serology; viruses.
. 2026 Nov;20(11):e70342.
doi: 10.1111/irv.70342.
Development and Validation of Serological Tests for Avian Influenza Antibodies in Meat Juice From Wild Birds
Simone Kronborg 1 , Iben Stokholm 1 , Karen Martiny 1 , Yuan Liang 1 , Ramona Trebbien 2 , Lars Erik Larsen 1 , Charlotte Kristiane Hjulsager 2
Affiliations Expand
- PMID: 43004492
- PMCID: PMC13748111
- DOI: 10.1111/irv.70342
Abstract
Background: The global increase and fluctuations in high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) cases and its impact on wild birds and poultry highlight the importance of serological surveillance. Serum is the standard sample material for antibody detection but obtaining serum from wild birds can be challenging. This study evaluated meat exudate (meat juice) as an alternative sample matrix for post-mortem detection of avian influenza virus (AIV) antibodies using commercial ELISA kits.
Methods: The method was validated using samples from Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and AIV-vaccinated birds by comparing antibody detection in serum and meat juice from neck skin, breast muscle, wing muscle, heart and cardiac blood. Subsequently, meat juice from neck skin was collected from 136 hunted wild birds, encompassing mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), and greylag geese (Anser anser), and screened for antibodies against influenza A nucleoprotein (NP) and haemagglutinin (H5).
Results: Antibodies against NDV and AIV were detected in meat juice from vaccinated birds, with high levels observed in neck skin. Antibodies against AIV NP were detected in 25/137 of the wild birds, including 23/75 mallards and in 2/59 pheasants. H5 antibodies were detected in 10/75 mallards, whereas all pheasants and geese tested negative.
Conclusions: Meat juice is a practical alternative to serum for post-mortem AIV serology in avian wildlife. It could facilitate more extensive epidemiological studies on AIV in wild birds, providing insights into the dynamics of infection and population immunity over time within bird populations.
Keywords: antibodies; birds; enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay; influenza; serology; viruses.