West Nile Virus in Eastern Screech Owls: susceptibility of adults and transmission of maternal antibodies to young

Hahn, D.C.; Bright, P.; Deem, S.; Bowen, R.A.; Nemeth, N.; Komar, N.

Abstract:

We studied the susceptibility and transmission of West Nile Virus in screech owls (Megascaps asia) in three ways: (1) investigating natural infection in captive screech owls housed in outdoor cages in MD, (2) tracking maternal transmission of WNV antibodies to hatchling owls, and (3) experimentally infecting juveniles under laboratory conditions. Three-quarters of the adult owls housed at PWRC showed WNV antibodies, but there was no pattern of infection related to age or cage location. Maternal transmission of WNV antibodies occurred in all broods of females that were WNV positive, and young owls within a brood showed different levels of antibodies. Screech owls were susceptible to experimental infection with live virus both by subcutaneous injection and oral ingestion, but not by vertical transmission from cage-mates. Individuals differed in degree of sickness, and some became severely ill and required euthanasia

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Article

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5224496

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Hahn, D.C.; Bright, P.; Deem, S.; Bowen, R.A.; Nemeth, N.; Komar, N.

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Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

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English

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Wilson Ornithological Society and Association of Field Ornithologists Joint Meeting, April 21-24, Beltsville, Maryland. Abstracts

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West Nile Virus in Eastern Screech Owls: susceptibility of adults and transmission of maternal antibodies to young; 2005; Article; Journal; Wilson Ornithological Society and Association of Field Ornithologists Joint Meeting, April 21-24, Beltsville, Maryland. Abstracts; Hahn, D.C.; Bright, P.; Deem, S.; Bowen, R.A.; Nemeth, N.; Komar, N.