Avian orthoavulavirus 1 (Newcastle Disease virus) antibodies in five penguin species, Antarctic peninsula and Southern Patagonia

• DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14037
• Publication Date: 2021-02-15T19:38:03Z
• Authors: Naomi Ariyama; Rodrigo Tapia; Claudia Godoy; Belén Agüero; Valentina Valdés; Felipe Berrios; Pablo García Borb...; Klemens Pütz; Raul Alegria; Gonzalo P. Barriga; Rafael Medina; Víctor Neira
• Keywords: Peninsula

Avian orthoavulavirus 1 (AOaV-1) causes Newcastle disease, one of the most important and contagious infections in poultry, where migratory birds can play a key role as reservoir. Seven hundred seven serum samples were collected from five penguin species (King, Magellanic, Gentoo, Chinstrap Adelie penguins) Antarctic Sub-Antarctic zones. Using competitive ELISA to detect antibodies against AOaV-1, we identified positive individuals all species. The Magellanic showed highest seropositivity rate (30.3%), suggesting it could be natural reservoir this virus. At zones, occurrence (7.5%). Interesting, sera was only obtained Northern zones at peninsula, no seroreactivity observed Southern locations. Further studies are needed establish these epidemiology AOaV-1 determine effects virus populations.