Avian influenza A virus susceptibility, infection, transmission, and antibody kinetics in European starlings

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009879
• Publication Date: 2021-08-30T17:38:55Z
• Authors: Jeremy W. Ellis; J. Jeffrey Root; Loredana M. McCurdy; Kevin T. Bentler; Nicole L. Barrett; Kaci K. VanDalen; Katherine L. Dirs...; Susan A. Shriner
• Keywords: Sturnus; Anas; Viral Shedding; Cloaca

Avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) pose risks to public, agricultural, and wildlife health. Bridge hosts are spillover that share habitat with both maintenance (e.g., mallards) target poultry). We conducted a comprehensive assessment of European starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris ), common visitor urban agricultural environments, assess whether this species might act as potential or bridge host for IAVs. First, we experimentally inoculated wild bird IAV investigate susceptibility replication kinetics. Next, evaluated spill over from sharing resources widespread reservoir host. accomplished using specially designed transmission cage simulate natural environmental by exposing water shared IAV-infected mallards Anas platyrhynchos ). then contact study intraspecies between starlings. In the initial experimental infection study, all shed viral RNA seroconverted. All in became infected at similar levels. but one these birds seroconverted, detectable antibodies were relatively transient, falling negative levels majority 59 days post contact. None experiment infected. summary, demonstrated may have if they waterfowl. However, unlikely due limited, any, transmission. addition, brief antibody response which should be considered when interpreting serology field samples. Further is needed evaluate poultry, possibility enhanced starling’s behavioral trait forming very large flocks can descend on poultry facilities scarce.