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1 March 2011 Monitoring of Group A Rotaviruses in Wild-Living Birds in Hungary
K. Ursu,, H. Papp,, P. Kisfali,, D. Rigó,, B. Melegh,, V. Martella,, K Bányai
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Rotavirus is a common pathogen causing gastroenteritis in humans and domesticated animals. The incidence of rotavirus in wild-living animals, particularly in avian species, has not been systematically investigated. In this study 1220 fecal samples and cloacal swabs collected from wild-living birds during 2008 in Hungary were tested for the presence of group A rotaviruses by a VP6 gene-specific reverse-transcription–polymerase-chain-reaction assay. Of the 1220 samples, 276 and 944 were processed as individual and pooled specimens, respectively. Rotavirus was identified in two pooled pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) samples and two individual reed bunting samples (Emberiza schoeniclus). These data indicated a very low prevalence of group A rotaviruses (0.3%) in our sample set. Nonetheless, the present study, together with existing literature data, implies that rotavirus infections occur in a wide spectrum of feral bird species. These findings are exciting and suggest that pursuing rotavirus monitoring is needed to uncover avian rotavirus strain diversity and understand rotavirus ecology in nature.

American Association of Avian Pathologists
K. Ursu,, H. Papp,, P. Kisfali,, D. Rigó,, B. Melegh,, V. Martella,, and K Bányai "Monitoring of Group A Rotaviruses in Wild-Living Birds in Hungary," Avian Diseases 55(1), 123-127, (1 March 2011). https://doi.org/10.1637/9428-061610-RESNOTE.1
Received: 19 June 2010; Accepted: 1 December 2010; Published: 1 March 2011
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