H1N1 influenza A viruses isolated from pigs in Europe since 1981 were examined both antigenically and genetically and compared with H1N1 viruses from other sources. H1N1 viruses from pigs and birds could be divided into three groups: avian, classical swine and 'avian-like' swine viruses. Low or no reactivity of 'avian-like' swine viruses in HI tests with monoclonal antibodies raised against cla...

Chick embryos are a great historical research model in basic and applied sciences. Along with other animal models, avian and specifically chicken embryo has been attended, as well. Avian fertilized eggs as a natural bioreactor are an efficient tool for producing recombinant proteins and vaccines manufacturing. Due to the limitations of birds' eggs for viral replication, avian stem cells culture...

T ongoing avian influenza (H5N1) pandemic poses risks to both human and animal health (1–5). The potential exists for cross-species transmission of avian influenza to humans and subsequent reassortment of avian and human influenza viruses in coinfected persons (6). Although atypical presentations of avian influenza (H5N1) have been reported (7,8), in most H5N1 case-patients pneumonia was the pr...

Avian infl uenza, caused by infl uenza virus A (H5N1), continues to be a source of outbreaks among avian species and of sporadic human cases that result in a high case-fatality rate. These historically unprecedented outbreaks have raised serious global concerns for both animal health and human health. Signifi cant progress in the research of avian infl uenza has occurred in the past decade, but...

Avian infl uenza, caused by infl uenza virus A (H5N1), continues to be a source of outbreaks among avian species and of sporadic human cases that result in a high case-fatality rate. These historically unprecedented outbreaks have raised serious global concerns for both animal health and human health. Signifi cant progress in the research of avian infl uenza has occurred in the past decade, but...

Recently, three novel avian-origin swine influenza viruses (SIVs) were first isolated from pigs in Guangdong Province, southern China, yet little is known about the seroprevalence of avian influenza viruses among pigs in southern China. Here, we report for the first time the seroprevalence of avian H3, H4, and H6 influenza viruses in swine populations and the lack of seroepidemiological evidenc...

Recent studies of mammals and fish indicate that most trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs) may be involved in the detection of volatile biogenic compounds. It has therefore been suggested that this new class of "olfactory" receptors could be highly relevant for social communication and individual recognition. To determine if TAAR orthologues are encoded in avian genomes, we initiated BLAST ...

This mini-review focuses on recent research with avian TLRs (Toll-like receptors), highlighting shared and distinct features compared with the more intensively studied mammalian TLR. These include the avian TLR repertoire and the response to various agonists. Studies with avian TLR can be applied to development of new approaches to control diseases of birds and is especially relevant to bird-bo...