Using RRT-PCR analysis and virus isolation to determine the prevalence of avian influenza virus infections in ducks at Minto Flats State Game Refuge, Alaska, during August 2005.

ABSTRACT: This study describes surveillance for avian influenza viruses (AIV) in the Minto Flats State Game Refuge, high-density waterfowl breeding grounds in Alaska. Five hundred paired cloacal samples from dabbling ducks (Northern Pintail, Mallard, Green Wing Teal, and Widgeon) were placed into ethanol and viral transport medium (VTM). Additional ethanol-preserved samples were taken. Of the ethanol-preserved samples, 25.6% were AIV RNA-positive by real-time RT-PCR. The hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) subtypes were determined for 38 of the first-passage isolates, and four first-passage isolates could not be definitively subtyped. Five influenza A virus HA-NA combinations were identified: H3N6, H3N8, H4N6, H8N4, and H12N5. Differences in the prevalence of AIV infections by sex and by age c

SUBMITTER: Runstadler JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2538573 | biostudies-literature | 2007

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature