Serological Survey of Avian Influenza (H9N2) in Commercial Ostrich Farms in Iran, 2015

Document Type : Short Communication

Authors

1 Department of Poultry Diseases, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran

2 Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Health and Management of Poultry Diseases, Qazvin Veterinary Organization, Qazvin, Iran

4 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

5 Department of Health and Management of Poultry Diseases, Iranian Veterinary Organization. Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of avian influenza H9N2 subtype in the industrial ostrich farms and its geographical distribution. This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2015. A total of 40 farms were selected from different provinces of Iran, from each of which 11 ostriches (n=440) were sampled. The sera samples were examined using 4 hemagglutination units of H9N2 antigens. A frequency distribution was used to describe the responses to the survey questions. The mean titers between provinces were compared using one-way analysis of variance. According to the results, 21 (47.5%) out of 40 farms and 108 (24.5%) out of 440 ostriches tested positive in the HI-H9N2 test. There were statistically significant differences between the mean titers of samples in different provinces (P<0.001). The current study was conducted on unvaccinated ostriches. The results showed that H9N2 had a high seroprevalence at both farm and bird levels. The findings of this study can be for the further investigation of infection in ostrich farms in order to consider this species in the surveillance programs of the Iranian Veterinary Organization. The detection and isolation of viruses and epidemiological investigation are necessary for the persistent use of H9N2 vaccines in some ostrich farms.

Keywords

Main Subjects


Article Title [French]

Enquête sérologique sur l'influenza aviaire dans les fermes commerciales d'autruches en Iran, 2015

Abstract [French]

Le but de cette étude était de déterminer la séroprévalence du sous-type H9N2 de la grippe aviaire dans les fermes industrielles d'autruches et sa répartition géographique. Cette étude coupe transversale a été menée de janvier à juin 2015. Un total de 40 fermes ont été sélectionnées dans différentes provinces d'Iran, parmi lesquelles 11 fermes d'autruches (n = 440) ont été échantillonnées. Les échantillons de sérum ont été examinés à l'aide de 4 unités d'hémagglutination d'antigènes H9N2. Une distribution de fréquence a été utilisée pour décrire les réponses aux questions du sondage. Les titres moyens entre provinces ont été comparés à l'aide d'une analyse de variance à un facteur. Selon les résultats, 21 (47,5%) des 40 fermes et 108 (24,5%) des 440 autruches étaient positifs au test HI-H9N2. Il y avait des différences statistiquement significatives entre les titres moyens des échantillons dans différentes provinces (p <0,001). La présente étude a été menée sur des autruches non vaccinées. Les résultats ont montré que le virus H9N2 présentait une séroprévalence élevée, tant au niveau de la ferme que des oiseaux. Les conclusions de cette étude peuvent servir à la poursuite des recherches sur l’infection dans les fermes d’autruches afin de prendre en compte cette espèce dans les programmes de surveillance de l’Organisation vétérinaire iranienne. La détection et l'isolement des virus et des enquêtes épidémiologiques sont nécessaires pour l'utilisation persistante des vaccins anti-H9N2 dans certaines fermes d'autruche.

Keywords [French]

  • Autruche
  • Séroprévalence
  • H9N2
  • Grippe Aviaire
  • Iran
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