Detection of antibodies against Turkey astrovirus in

Victoria A. Meliopoulos, Ghazi Kayali, Andrew Burnham, Christine M. Oshansky, Paul G. Thomas, Gregory C. Gray, Melinda A. Beck, Stacey Schultz-Cherry

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

Astroviruses are a leading cause of gastroenteritis in mammals and birds worldwide. Although historically thought to be species-specific, increasing evidence suggests that astroviruses may cross species barriers. In this report, we used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to screen sera from three distinct human cohorts involved in influenza studies in Memphis, TN or Chapel Hill, NC, and Midwestern poultry abattoir workers for antibodies to turkey astrovirus type 2 (TAstV-2). Surprisingly, 26% of one cohort's population was TAstV-2 positive as compared to 0 and 8.9% in the other cohorts. This cohort was composed of people with exposure to turkeys in the Midwestern United States including abattoir workers, turkey growers, and non-occupationally exposed participants. The odds of testing positive for antibodies against turkey astrovirus among abattoir workers were approximately 3 times higher than the other groups. These studies suggest that people with contact to turkeys can develop serological responses to turkey astrovirus. Further work is needed to determine if these exposures result in virus replication and/or clinical disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere96934
JournalPloS one
Volume9
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 14 2014
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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