Study of Influenza vírus in seabirds of subantarctica region.

Author(s)

Marina Maria Moraes de Seixas

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2014-10-07

Examining board members

Edison Luiz Durigon; Paulo Eduardo Brandão; Erli Schneider Costa

• Advisor: Edison Luiz Durigon

Abstract

Influenza A (IA) viruses cause epidemics and pandemics in humans. Wild birds are the natural reservoir of these viruses, among these, migratory ones have an important role as transmitters of disease. The subantarctic region is home to seabird populations, which breed in the austral summer forming colonies with thousands of birds, which enhances the importance of the study of AI viruses in waterfowl in this environment. The objectives of this study were to analyze the presence of IA virus in tracheal and cloacal swabs, and anti-IA antibodies in serum of seabirds from subantarctic region, molecular characterization of positive samples, and learn more about this virus ecology. Biological samples were collected of gentoo penguin, chinstrap penguin, adelie penguin, brown skua, cape petrel, and southern giant petrel, from Elephant and King George islands, between 2010-13.Of the 615 swab samples, 13 were positive by Real Time One Step RT-PCR, and one was characterized as H6N8. Of the 673 serum samples, 108 were positive by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). The study contributed to AI virus knowledge in the region and recommendations for preventing the introduction of pathogens in Antarctica were made. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/14255-8 - STUDY OF INFLUENZA VIRUS BY REAL TIME RT-PCR METHOD, IN SEABIRDS OF THE ANTARCTIC REGION.
• Grantee: Marina Maria Moraes de Seixas
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master