This project focuses on understanding the prevalence and strains of avian influenza viruses in the aquatic environment and how this compares to those circulating within wild birds in the same area.
The Challenge: Changes in aquatic ecosystems related to climate change phenomena or other anthropogenically based environmental stressors have significant impact on the dynamics of the host-pathogen-environment relationship, often with surprising results. Therefore, biosurveillance of the aquatic environment for pathogens of significance to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, as well as to domestic animals and humans, is a focus area of increasing importance in ecosystems science. The study of avian influenza viruses in the aquatic environment is a suitable model for such biosurveillance-based investigations as the pathogen is both persistent in many aquatic reservoirs and highly significant to wildlife, poultry, and human health.
In collaboration with Dr. Christine Densmore at USGS Leestown Science Center
The Science: This work is a collaborative pilot project with USGS Leetown Science that aims to investigate the presence of avian influenza viruses (AIV) in the aquatic environment on the Delmarva Peninsula, comparing:
- Identification in distinct reservoirs within waterfowl habitat, such as sediment, waterfowl feces, or filter-feeding animals
- Compare prevalence of AIV isolated from environmental samples to the prevalence of AIV isolated directly from wild aquatic bird populations occupying the same habitat.
- Determine and compare the subtypes of AIV present in these habitats isolated from both waterfowl and environmental reservoirs.
The Future: Further study throughout Delmarva could follow to apply these methods throughout various waterfowl habitats. Determination of the significance of isolation of AIV from different reservoirs related to site-specific environmental variables (water quality and characteristics, habitat specifics, flora and fauna, etc.) could thereby also be determined through future biosurveillance efforts.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Molecular detection of avian influenza virus from sediment samples in waterfowl habitats on the Delmarva Peninsula, USA
Below are publications associated with this project.
Low pathogenic avian influenza viruses in wild migratory waterfowl in a region of high poultry production, Delmarva, Maryland
Molecular detection of avian influenza virus from sediment samples in waterfowl habitats on the Delmarva Peninsula, United States
- Overview
This project focuses on understanding the prevalence and strains of avian influenza viruses in the aquatic environment and how this compares to those circulating within wild birds in the same area.
The Challenge: Changes in aquatic ecosystems related to climate change phenomena or other anthropogenically based environmental stressors have significant impact on the dynamics of the host-pathogen-environment relationship, often with surprising results. Therefore, biosurveillance of the aquatic environment for pathogens of significance to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, as well as to domestic animals and humans, is a focus area of increasing importance in ecosystems science. The study of avian influenza viruses in the aquatic environment is a suitable model for such biosurveillance-based investigations as the pathogen is both persistent in many aquatic reservoirs and highly significant to wildlife, poultry, and human health.
In collaboration with Dr. Christine Densmore at USGS Leestown Science Center
The Science: This work is a collaborative pilot project with USGS Leetown Science that aims to investigate the presence of avian influenza viruses (AIV) in the aquatic environment on the Delmarva Peninsula, comparing:
- Identification in distinct reservoirs within waterfowl habitat, such as sediment, waterfowl feces, or filter-feeding animals
- Compare prevalence of AIV isolated from environmental samples to the prevalence of AIV isolated directly from wild aquatic bird populations occupying the same habitat.
- Determine and compare the subtypes of AIV present in these habitats isolated from both waterfowl and environmental reservoirs.
The Future: Further study throughout Delmarva could follow to apply these methods throughout various waterfowl habitats. Determination of the significance of isolation of AIV from different reservoirs related to site-specific environmental variables (water quality and characteristics, habitat specifics, flora and fauna, etc.) could thereby also be determined through future biosurveillance efforts.
- Data
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Molecular detection of avian influenza virus from sediment samples in waterfowl habitats on the Delmarva Peninsula, USA
Data were collected as part of an investigation developed by Leetown Science Center to investigate the comparative detection of avian influenza viruses from waterfowl and potential environmental reservoirs such as aquatic sediment from waterfowl habitat. This dataset identifies positive or negative test results for qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) for avian in - Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Low pathogenic avian influenza viruses in wild migratory waterfowl in a region of high poultry production, Delmarva, Maryland
Migratory waterfowl are natural reservoirs for low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (AIVs) and may contribute to the long-distance dispersal of these pathogens as well as spillover into domestic bird populations. Surveillance for AIVs is critical to assessing risks for potential spread of these viruses among wild and domestic bird populations. The Delmarva Peninsula on the east coast of the UnitAuthorsDiann J. Prosser, Christine L. Densmore, Larry J. Hindman, Deborah D. Iwanowicz, Christopher A. Ottinger, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Cindy P. Driscoll, Jessica L. NagelMolecular detection of avian influenza virus from sediment samples in waterfowl habitats on the Delmarva Peninsula, United States
Avian influenza viruses (AIV) affect many species of birds including waterfowl and may persist in sediment in aquatic habitats. Sediment samples were collected from two areas representative of prime migration and overwintering waterfowl habitat in Dorchester County, Maryland in the fall and winter of 2013–2014. Samples were screened for the presence of AIV via reverse transcriptase–quantitative PCAuthorsChristine L. Densmore, Deborah D. Iwanowicz, Christopher A. Ottinger, Larry J. Hindman, Amanda Bessler, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Diann J. Prosser, Matt Whitbeck, Cindy P. Driscoll