A first report of the detection of Avipoxvirus genomic sequences in louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae)

The Hippoboscidae are ectoparasites of birds and mammals, which, as a group, are known to vector multiple diseases. Avipoxvirus (APV) is mechanically vectored by various arthropods and causes seasonal disease in wild birds in the United Kingdom (UK). Signs of APV and the presence of louse flies (Hip...

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Main Authors: Denise Wawman, Ben P. Jones, Steven R. Fiddaman, Jane E. Turner, Nicholas Johnson, Adrian L. Smith
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press
Series:Parasitology
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Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0031182025000526/type/journal_article
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author Denise Wawman
Ben P. Jones
Steven R. Fiddaman
Jane E. Turner
Nicholas Johnson
Adrian L. Smith
author_facet Denise Wawman
Ben P. Jones
Steven R. Fiddaman
Jane E. Turner
Nicholas Johnson
Adrian L. Smith
author_sort Denise Wawman
collection DOAJ
description The Hippoboscidae are ectoparasites of birds and mammals, which, as a group, are known to vector multiple diseases. Avipoxvirus (APV) is mechanically vectored by various arthropods and causes seasonal disease in wild birds in the United Kingdom (UK). Signs of APV and the presence of louse flies (Hippoboscidae) on Dunnocks Prunella modularis were recorded over a 16·5-year period in a rural garden in Somerset, UK. Louse flies collected from this site and other sites in England were tested for the presence of APV DNA and RNA sequences. Louse flies on Dunnocks were seen to peak seasonally three weeks prior to the peak of APV lesions, an interval consistent with the previously estimated incubation period of APV in Dunnocks. APV DNA was detected on 13/25 louse flies, Ornithomya avicularia and Ornithomya fringillina, taken from Dunnocks, both with and without lesions consistent with APV, at multiple sites in England. Collectively these data support the premise that louse flies may vector APV. The detection of APV in louse flies, from apparently healthy birds, and from sites where disease has not been observed in any host species, suggests that the Hippoboscidae could provide a non-invasive and relatively cheap method of monitoring avian diseases. This could provide advanced warnings of disease, including zoonoses, before they become clinically apparent.
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spelling doaj-art-edc3fe2f91fa4008b6887430f8b675342025-08-20T01:50:18ZengCambridge University PressParasitology0031-18201469-81611910.1017/S0031182025000526A first report of the detection of Avipoxvirus genomic sequences in louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae)Denise Wawman0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8172-4734Ben P. Jones1Steven R. Fiddaman2Jane E. Turner3Nicholas Johnson4Adrian L. Smith5Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKVector-Borne Disease Workgroup, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UKDepartment of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKIndependent Researcher, Wirral Peninsula, UKVector-Borne Disease Workgroup, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, UK Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, SRY, UKDepartment of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKThe Hippoboscidae are ectoparasites of birds and mammals, which, as a group, are known to vector multiple diseases. Avipoxvirus (APV) is mechanically vectored by various arthropods and causes seasonal disease in wild birds in the United Kingdom (UK). Signs of APV and the presence of louse flies (Hippoboscidae) on Dunnocks Prunella modularis were recorded over a 16·5-year period in a rural garden in Somerset, UK. Louse flies collected from this site and other sites in England were tested for the presence of APV DNA and RNA sequences. Louse flies on Dunnocks were seen to peak seasonally three weeks prior to the peak of APV lesions, an interval consistent with the previously estimated incubation period of APV in Dunnocks. APV DNA was detected on 13/25 louse flies, Ornithomya avicularia and Ornithomya fringillina, taken from Dunnocks, both with and without lesions consistent with APV, at multiple sites in England. Collectively these data support the premise that louse flies may vector APV. The detection of APV in louse flies, from apparently healthy birds, and from sites where disease has not been observed in any host species, suggests that the Hippoboscidae could provide a non-invasive and relatively cheap method of monitoring avian diseases. This could provide advanced warnings of disease, including zoonoses, before they become clinically apparent.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0031182025000526/type/journal_articleavian poxdisease detectionmethodsparasitevectorwildlife disease
spellingShingle Denise Wawman
Ben P. Jones
Steven R. Fiddaman
Jane E. Turner
Nicholas Johnson
Adrian L. Smith
A first report of the detection of Avipoxvirus genomic sequences in louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae)
Parasitology
avian pox
disease detection
methods
parasite
vector
wildlife disease
title A first report of the detection of Avipoxvirus genomic sequences in louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae)
title_full A first report of the detection of Avipoxvirus genomic sequences in louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae)
title_fullStr A first report of the detection of Avipoxvirus genomic sequences in louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae)
title_full_unstemmed A first report of the detection of Avipoxvirus genomic sequences in louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae)
title_short A first report of the detection of Avipoxvirus genomic sequences in louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae)
title_sort first report of the detection of avipoxvirus genomic sequences in louse flies diptera hippoboscidae
topic avian pox
disease detection
methods
parasite
vector
wildlife disease
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0031182025000526/type/journal_article
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