Widespread avian bornavirus infection in mute swans in the Northeast United States

espread avian bornavirus infection in mute swans in the Northeast United States Short Report (1244) Total Article Views Authors: Guo J, Covaleda L, Heatley JJ, Baroch JA, Tizard I, Payne SL Published Date July 2012 Volume 2012:3 Pages 49 - 52 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/VMRR.S33353 Received: 27 April 2012 Accepted: 24 May 2012 Published: 20 July 2012 Jianhua Guo,1 Lina Covaleda,1 J Jill Heatley,1 John A Baroch,2 Ian Tizard1, Susan L Payne,1 1Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; 2USDA/APHIS Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, CO, USA Abstract: Avian bornavirus (ABV) matrix (M) genes were detected by RT-PCR on brain tissue obtained from 192 mute swans harvested from several Northeastern states. A RT-PCR product was detected in 45 samples. Sequencing of the PCR products confirmed the presence of ABV belonging to the ‘goose’ genotype. The prevalence of positive samples ranged from 28% in Michigan to 0% in northern New York State. Two Rhode Island isolates were cultured. Their M, N, and X-P gene sequences closely matched recently published sequences from Canada geese.