Antibodies to Alphavirus, Flavivirus, and Bunyavirus Arboviruses in House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) and Tree Sparrows (P. montanus) in Poland

Abstract

Sparrows from central Poland were examined by a hemagglutination-inhibition test (titer > or = 20) for the presence of antibodies to arboviruses, between 1995 and 1996. In house sparrows (Passer domesticus) (n = 179), antibodies to Sindbis, West Nile, tick-borne encephalitis, Tahyna, and Calovo viruses were detected at seroprevalences of 1.1%, 2.8%, 1.1%, 2.8%, and 1.1%, respectively. In tree sparrows (P. montanus) (n = 33), antibodies to the Sindbis, West Nile, and Tahyna viruses were detected at seroprevalences of 9.1%, 12.1%, and 3.0%, respectively.

The survey of wild birds for West Nile virus in Poland

“…The results were not influenced by the factors like: birds species, their origin, age or health birds (shot or naturally dead). However, on the basis of epidemiological situation in Europe, the role of wild birds in virus transmission, and results of previous serological examinations of humans and birds (Juricova et al 1998, Hermanowska-Szpakowicz et al 2006, Kondrusik et al 2007, Wegner and Hubalek 2008 we can suspect there is the high possibility that the virus is already present in our ecosystem.…”

“…The most common vector of the virus are mosquitoes from the Culicidae family (Juricova et al 1998, Epstein 2001, Glavitis et al 2005, Hubalek 2008, and nowadays six of the mosquito species exist in Polish climate zone (Hermanowska-Szpakowicz et al 2006, Hubalek et al 2008a). In the nineties, Juricova (1998) using haemaglutination inhibition assay demonstrated WNV antibodies in 12.1% of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and 2.8% of Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus), which live in Kampinos forest area in Poland. In subsequent years, WNV antibodies were found in three storks (Ciconia ciconia), one crow (Corvus corone cornix), and one mute swan (Cygnys olor) in other part of Poland.…”

Low West Nile Virus Circulation in Wild Birds in an Area of Recurring Outbreaks in Southern France

“…Two resident terrestrial species, the black-billed magpie (Pica pica) and the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), were selected for their susceptibility to WNV infection in laboratory (Komar et al 2003) and field studies (Juricová et al 1998, Komar et al 2001, Jourdain et al 2008. We also selected the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) and some aquatic warblers (Acrocephalus species) as some of the most abundant trans-Saharan migratory species that breed or transit the study area.…”

Avian zoonoses – a review

“…The viral vectors are Diptera, such as mosquitoes (Culicidae and Culiseta), and ticks. Eleven species of the Diptera vectors occur in Poland (20,33).…”

“…Using the haemagglutination inhibition test, specific antibodies were demonstrated in 2.8% of house sparrows and in 12.1% of tree sparrows between 1995 and 1996. In 2006, contact between Warsaw Zoo's storks and WNV-infected birds was also observed (20).…”