Cross-species transmission and emergence of novel viruses from birds

Curr Opin Virol. 2015 Feb:10:63-9. doi: 10.1016/j.coviro.2015.01.006. Epub 2015 Jan 31.

Abstract

Birds, the only living member of the Dinosauria clade, are flying warm-blooded vertebrates displaying high species biodiversity, roosting and migratory behavior, and a unique adaptive immune system. Birds provide the natural reservoir for numerous viral species and therefore gene source for evolution, emergence and dissemination of novel viruses. The intrusions of human into natural habitats of wild birds, the domestication of wild birds as pets or racing birds, and the increasing poultry consumption by human have facilitated avian viruses to cross species barriers to cause zoonosis. Recently, a novel adenovirus was exclusively found in birds causing an outbreak of Chlamydophila psittaci infection among birds and humans. Instead of being the primary cause of an outbreak by jumping directly from bird to human, a novel avian virus can be an augmenter of another zoonotic agent causing the outbreak. A comprehensive avian virome will improve our understanding of birds' evolutionary dynamics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / physiology
  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild / virology*
  • Biological Evolution
  • Birds / virology*
  • Chlamydophila psittaci / pathogenicity
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / transmission*
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus / pathogenicity
  • Influenza in Birds / transmission
  • Influenza in Birds / virology*
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Poultry / virology
  • Virus Diseases / transmission*
  • Zoonoses / transmission*