Short report

Detection of seroconversion to West Nile virus, Usutu virus and Sindbis virus in UK sentinel chickens

Alan Buckley¹ , Alistair Dawson² and Ernest A Gould¹

¹CEH Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SR, UK

²CEH Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 2LS, UK

author email corresponding author email

Virology Journal 2006, 3:71doi:10.1186/1743-422X-3-71

Published:	4 September 2006

Abstract

We previously reported evidence of West Nile virus (WNV) circulation in UK birds, probably introduced by migratory birds from overseas. We now demonstrate WNV-specific seroconversion in sentinel chickens raised on an English farm. Maternal neutralizing antibodies to WNV in hatchlings declined within three weeks. During the following months, healthy chickens developed WNV neutralizing antibodies that were confirmed by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence tests using WNV antigens. The proportion of seropositive chickens was higher for WNV than for Usutu virus or Sindbis virus. Attempts to isolate infectious virus or to detect viral RNA in the sera, failed.