West Nile Virus Detection in Crows
Author Information
Author(s): Nicholas A. Panella, Amy J. Kerst, Robert S. Lanciotti, Patricia Bryant, Bruce Wolf, Nicholas Komar
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
The brain is the most sensitive organ for detecting West Nile virus in American Crows compared to other organs.
Conclusion
The study found that the brain is the most sensitive target organ for detecting West Nile virus in American Crows.
Supporting Evidence
- Positive test results for West Nile virus infection were obtained for 10 of the 20 carcasses.
- The brain was the most sensitive target organ, with 80% of positive cases isolated from it.
- The TaqMan assay identified West Nile virus RNA in several tissue specimens that tested negative by plaque assay.
Takeaway
Scientists looked at different body parts of dead crows to see where the West Nile virus was hiding, and they found it mostly in the brain.
Methodology
The study involved testing brain, liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and lung tissues from 20 crow carcasses for West Nile virus using plaque assay and TaqMan RT-PCR.
Limitations
The liver was not a good source of detection with the plaque assay.
Participant Demographics
American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) collected in New Jersey.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0816
Statistical Significance
p = 0.0816
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