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Journal for Veterinary Medicine, Biotechnology and Biosafety

Volume 11, Issue 1, January 2025, Pages 22–29

ISSN 2411-3174 (print version) ISSN 2411-0388 (online version)

SEROLOGICAL STUDIES OF WILD BIRDS OF THE ORDER PASSERIFORMES IN UKRAINE FOR THE PRESENCE OF ANTIBODIES TO THE INFLUENZA A VIRUS

Popova A. O., Muzyka N. M.

National Scientific Center ‘Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine’, Kharkiv, Ukraine, e-mail: anastasiyaolegovna1996@gmail.com

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Citation for print version: Popova, A. O. and Muzyka, N. M. (2025) ‘Serological studies of wild birds of the order Passeriformes in Ukraine for the presence of antibodies to the Influenza A virus’, Journal for Veterinary Medicine, Biotechnology and Biosafety, 11(1), pp. 22–29.

Download PDF (online version)

Citation for online version: Popova, A. O. and Muzyka, N. M. (2025) ‘Serological studies of wild birds of the order Passeriformes in Ukraine for the presence of antibodies to the Influenza A virus’, Journal for Veterinary Medicine, Biotechnology and Biosafety, 11(1), pp. 22–29. DOI: 10.36016/JVMBBS-2025-11-1-4.

Summary. The influenza A virus is classified as a particularly dangerous infection that causes severe disease in birds, humans, and animals. Given the biological characteristics of the influenza virus, its ability to rapidly mutate, and its potential to cross the interspecies barrier, special attention is currently being paid to the study of the circulation of this pathogen among various natural hosts. Wild waterfowl are believed to be the main natural reservoir of the influenza A virus, while the role of birds of the Passeriformes order remains uncertain. Notably, wild birds of the order Passeriformes comprise 60% of the global avian population, underscoring their ecological significance. This order encompasses many species with diverse biological, ecological, and behavioral characteristics. Some Passeriformes species are stable synanthropes, able to coexist with humans and domestic animals in urban and natural habitats. Due to the peculiarities of nesting, feeding, and especially watering places, they can potentially play a role in transmission to other birds. The purpose of our research was to conduct serological monitoring in Ukraine among birds of the order Passeriformes, as they can also be potential carriers of the influenza virus, but this issue has not been sufficiently studied in Ukraine. In 2023–2024, biological samples were collected from 32 species of Passeriformes in 5 regions of Ukraine in the amount of 354 samples. Blood sera and egg yolks were tested in ELISA and hemagglutination inhibition test to H5 and H7 subtypes of influenza virus. Antibodies to the influenza A virus were found in blood samples from the blackbird (seroprevalence was 11.1%), the song thrush (20%), and the blackcap (100%). The titer of antibodies in the HIT was 1:16 to the H7 influenza virus subtype from the Blackbird. ELISA detected no antibodies to the influenza virus in the egg yolk extracts

Keywords: seroprevalence, virus circulation, ELISA, hemagglutination inhibition test

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