Shedding of a Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus in a Common Synanthropic Mammal – The Cottontail Rabbit

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102513
• Publication Date: 2014-08-11T17:53:57Z
• Authors: J. Jeffrey Root; Susan A. Shriner; Kevin T. Bentler; Thomas Gidlewski; Nicole L. Mooers; Terry R. Spraker; Kaci K. VanDalen; Heather J. Sullivan; Alan B. Franklin
• Keywords: Viral Shedding; Mammal; Highly pathogenic

Background Cottontails (Sylvilagus spp.) are common mammals throughout much of the U.S. and often found in peridomestic settings, potentially interacting with livestock poultry operations. If these animals susceptible to avian influenza virus (AIV) infections shed sufficient quantities they may pose a risk for movement viruses between wildlife domestic certain situations. Methodology/Principal Findings To assess viral shedding potential AIV cottontails, we nasally inoculated fourteen cottontails low pathogenic (H4N6). All relatively large RNA both (≤106.94 PCR EID50 equivalents/mL) orally (≤105.09 equivalents/mL). However, oral tended decline more quickly than did nasal shedding. No showed any obvious signs disease study. Evidence serological response was all infected rabbits at 22 days post infection convalescent sera. Conclusions/Significance our knowledge, have not been previously assessed it that extensively via routes. This is significant, as widely distributed elsewhere. These highly situations, such farms, parks, suburban neighborhoods, becoming habituated human activities. Thus, if could easily transport AIVs short distances.