Open AccessAntibodies to Ockelbo Virus in Three Orders of Birds (Anseriformes, Galliformes and Passeriformes) in Sweden
Author(s) -
Jan O. Lundström,
Michael J. Turell,
Bo Niklasson
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of wildlife diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.613
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1943-3700
pISSN - 0090-3558
DOI - 10.7589/0090-3558-28.1.144
Subject(s) - anseriformes , galliformes , biology , antibody , virus , virology , population , zoology , immunology , demography , sociology
Sera from 324 birds collected in an Ockelbo virus disease endemic area in central Sweden were examined for the presence of specific antibodies to Ockelbo virus by a plaque reduction neutralization test. Birds examined belonged to the orders Anseriformes (n = 207), Galliformes (n = 66) and Passeriformes (n = 51). Ockelbo virus neutralizing antibodies were detected in 26 (8%) of the specimens, including species from each of the three orders tested. Specific antibodies found in caged birds and in 6- to 10-week-old birds suggested local transmission. The highest antibody prevalence (27%, 14/51) was observed in the Passeriformes in which 5 of 9 species tested contained antibodies. The high antibody prevalence in passeriforms and the very large population of this group in relation to other avian groups in Sweden gives them a high potential as amplification hosts for Ockelbo virus.