Genetic Diversity of Avian Influenza Viruses Detected in Waterbirds in Northeast Italy Using Two Different Sampling Strategies
Avian influenza viruses (AIVs), which circulate endemically in wild aquatic birds, pose a significant threat to poultry and raise concerns for their zoonotic potential. From August 2021 to April 2022, a multi-site cross-sectional study involving active AIV epidemiological monitoring was conducted in...
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/7/1018 |
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| author | Giulia Graziosi Caterina Lupini Federica Gobbo Bianca Zecchin Giulia Quaglia Sara Pedrazzoli Gabriele Lizzi Geremia Dosa Gabriella Martini Calogero Terregino Elena Catelli |
| author_facet | Giulia Graziosi Caterina Lupini Federica Gobbo Bianca Zecchin Giulia Quaglia Sara Pedrazzoli Gabriele Lizzi Geremia Dosa Gabriella Martini Calogero Terregino Elena Catelli |
| author_sort | Giulia Graziosi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Avian influenza viruses (AIVs), which circulate endemically in wild aquatic birds, pose a significant threat to poultry and raise concerns for their zoonotic potential. From August 2021 to April 2022, a multi-site cross-sectional study involving active AIV epidemiological monitoring was conducted in wetlands of the Emilia-Romagna region, northern Italy, adjacent to densely populated poultry areas. A total of 129 cloacal swab samples (CSs) and 407 avian faecal droppings samples (FDs) were collected, with 7 CSs (5.4%) and 4 FDs (1%) testing positive for the AIV matrix gene through rRT-PCR. A COI-barcoding protocol was applied to recognize the species of origin of AIV-positive FDs. Multiple low-pathogenic AIV subtypes were identified, and five of these were isolated, including an H5N3, an H1N1, and three H9N2 in wild ducks. Following whole-genome sequencing, phylogenetic analyses of the hereby obtained strains showed close genetic relationships with AIVs detected in countries along the Black Sea/Mediterranean migratory flyway. Notably, none of the analyzed gene segments were genetically related to HPAI H5N1 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b isolated from Italian poultry during the concurrent 2021–2022 epidemic. Overall, the detected AIV genetic diversity emphasizes the necessity for ongoing monitoring in wild hosts using diverse sampling strategies and whole-genome sequencing. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:50:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2ed7ec3dc3d345f18ee4be1b6b94c7e1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T10:50:45Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-2ed7ec3dc3d345f18ee4be1b6b94c7e12024-04-12T13:14:08ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-03-01147101810.3390/ani14071018Genetic Diversity of Avian Influenza Viruses Detected in Waterbirds in Northeast Italy Using Two Different Sampling StrategiesGiulia Graziosi0Caterina Lupini1Federica Gobbo2Bianca Zecchin3Giulia Quaglia4Sara Pedrazzoli5Gabriele Lizzi6Geremia Dosa7Gabriella Martini8Calogero Terregino9Elena Catelli10Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, ItalyComparative Biomedical Sciences Division, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, PD, ItalyComparative Biomedical Sciences Division, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, PD, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, ItalyVeterinary Services, Local Health Unit of Imola (A.U.S.L. di Imola), 40026 Imola, BO, ItalyVeterinary Services, Local Health Unit of Imola (A.U.S.L. di Imola), 40026 Imola, BO, ItalyComparative Biomedical Sciences Division, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, PD, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, ItalyAvian influenza viruses (AIVs), which circulate endemically in wild aquatic birds, pose a significant threat to poultry and raise concerns for their zoonotic potential. From August 2021 to April 2022, a multi-site cross-sectional study involving active AIV epidemiological monitoring was conducted in wetlands of the Emilia-Romagna region, northern Italy, adjacent to densely populated poultry areas. A total of 129 cloacal swab samples (CSs) and 407 avian faecal droppings samples (FDs) were collected, with 7 CSs (5.4%) and 4 FDs (1%) testing positive for the AIV matrix gene through rRT-PCR. A COI-barcoding protocol was applied to recognize the species of origin of AIV-positive FDs. Multiple low-pathogenic AIV subtypes were identified, and five of these were isolated, including an H5N3, an H1N1, and three H9N2 in wild ducks. Following whole-genome sequencing, phylogenetic analyses of the hereby obtained strains showed close genetic relationships with AIVs detected in countries along the Black Sea/Mediterranean migratory flyway. Notably, none of the analyzed gene segments were genetically related to HPAI H5N1 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b isolated from Italian poultry during the concurrent 2021–2022 epidemic. Overall, the detected AIV genetic diversity emphasizes the necessity for ongoing monitoring in wild hosts using diverse sampling strategies and whole-genome sequencing.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/7/1018avian influenzawild birdswetlandswhole-genome sequencingcloacal swabsavian faecal droppings |
| spellingShingle | Giulia Graziosi Caterina Lupini Federica Gobbo Bianca Zecchin Giulia Quaglia Sara Pedrazzoli Gabriele Lizzi Geremia Dosa Gabriella Martini Calogero Terregino Elena Catelli Genetic Diversity of Avian Influenza Viruses Detected in Waterbirds in Northeast Italy Using Two Different Sampling Strategies Animals avian influenza wild birds wetlands whole-genome sequencing cloacal swabs avian faecal droppings |
| title | Genetic Diversity of Avian Influenza Viruses Detected in Waterbirds in Northeast Italy Using Two Different Sampling Strategies |
| title_full | Genetic Diversity of Avian Influenza Viruses Detected in Waterbirds in Northeast Italy Using Two Different Sampling Strategies |
| title_fullStr | Genetic Diversity of Avian Influenza Viruses Detected in Waterbirds in Northeast Italy Using Two Different Sampling Strategies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic Diversity of Avian Influenza Viruses Detected in Waterbirds in Northeast Italy Using Two Different Sampling Strategies |
| title_short | Genetic Diversity of Avian Influenza Viruses Detected in Waterbirds in Northeast Italy Using Two Different Sampling Strategies |
| title_sort | genetic diversity of avian influenza viruses detected in waterbirds in northeast italy using two different sampling strategies |
| topic | avian influenza wild birds wetlands whole-genome sequencing cloacal swabs avian faecal droppings |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/7/1018 |
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