H6N8 avian influenza virus in Antarctic seabirds demonstrates connectivity between South America and Antarctica

Author(s):Show less -

Moraes de Seixas, Marina Maria ; de Araujo, Jansen ; Krauss, Scott ; Fabrizio, Thomas ; Walker, David ; Ometto, Tatiana ; Thomazelli, Luciano Matsumiya ; Thijl Vanstreels, Ralph Eric ; Hurtado, Renata Ferreira ; Kruger, Lucas ; Piuco, Roberta ; Petry, Maria Virginia ; Webster, Robert G. ; Webby, Richard J. ; Lee, Dong-Hun ; Chung, David Hyunjung ; Ferreira, Helena Lage ; Durigon, Edison Luiz

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES; v. 69, n. 6, p. 11-pg., 2022-10-21.

Abstract

Wild aquatic birds are the natural reservoirs of avian influenza viruses (AIVs). It is estimated that 100 million seabirds live in the Antarctic Peninsula and adjacent islands, regularly encountering migratory birds that use the islands to nest. Between 2010 and 2013, we collected samples from 865 seabirds in Elephant, King George and Livingston islands, around Antarctica Peninsula: chinstrap penguin (n = 143); gentoo penguin (n = 208); Adelie penguin (n = 46); brown skua (n = 90); Cape petrel (n = 115) and southern giant petrel (n = 263). Serum (n = 673) samples were analysed by competitive ELISA and swabs (n = 614) were tested by one step real-time RT-PCR for avian influenza virus (AIV). Sera from 30 chinstrap penguins, 76 brown skuas and a single Adelie penguin were seropositive for AIV. Thirteen swab samples were AIV positive by RT-PCR, and complete genome sequences of H6N8 AIVs isolated from brown skua and chinstrap penguin in 2011 were obtained. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that all gene segments of the H6N8 viruses were closely related to Argentinian and Chilean AIVs. The prevalence with which we identified evidence for AIVs infection in various Antarctic seabirds suggest viral circulation in Antarctic avifauna and interspecies viral transmission in the sub-Antarctic region. (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
• FAPESP's process: 19/13198-0 - Avian respiratory viruses in backyard and captive bird samples
• Grantee: Helena Lage Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants