Evaluation of the use of alternative sample types for mosquito-borne flavivirus surveillance: Using Usutu virus as a model.

ABSTRACT: Wild birds are reservoirs of several zoonotic arboviruses including West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV), and are often monitored as indicators for virus introduction and spread. To optimize the bird surveillance for arboviruses in the Netherlands and to explore the possibilities for citizen science in surveillance, we investigated the suitability of using alternative sample types from live and dead birds. The sensitivity of molecular detection via RT-PCR of viral RNA in feather, heart, lung, throat and cloaca swabs from dead birds, and serum, dried blood spots (DBS) and throat and cloaca swabs from live birds were compared. IgY antibody detection was also assessed from DBS relative to serum on protein-microarray and virus neutralization test. Feathers showed a high detection sensi

SUBMITTER: Atama NC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9754934 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature