WNV Antibody Transmission-Raptors (2) (Modified by Environmental Risk Analysis Program)

The obvious question: How sure are you the nestlings were not bitten
by WNV positive mosquitoes? They are very vulnerable.

-----Original Message-----
From: William Stout [mailto:stoutw@hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2004 11:11 PM

I am surveying for WNV antibodies in raptors in the metropolitan
Milwaukee area. Marsfield Clinic (Kurt Reed and Jennifer Meece) are
doing the antibody titers (SDNT test). We have found WNV antibodies in
nestling of Great Horned Owls and Red-tailed Hawks (wild
populations) and assume passive antibody transmission from the adult
female to the egg in the early stages of egg production. I have a
number of eggs collected from this year and, if possible, would like to
test for WNV antibody presence in these eggs. This would strongly
support the passive antibody transmission hypothesis.

Is there a procedure that would test for WNV antibodies in eggs? Or,
alternatively, have studies been done to confirm passive antibody
transmission of WNV in birds?  If you are not aware of any test(s) or
studies, is there any one else that may have this information?

Thank you for your time and any information that you can provide.

Sincerely,
Bill Stout

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Received on Mon Jul 26 11:05:21 2004