What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) (n=800). Primary outcome: aMPV RNA detection and seroprevalence (p=<0.05).

What does this research mean for the field?

Wild birds in Egypt exhibit high seroprevalence but low molecular detection of avian metapneumovirus subtype B, indicating widespread prior exposure and potential epidemiological connectivity with poultry populations. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

May 26, 2026Open Access

Avian Metapneumovirus Subtype B at the Wildlife–Poultry Interface in Egypt: Molecular and Serological Insights into Cross-Ecological Transmission

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Cross-sectional surveillance of wild birds in Egypt detected aMPV subtype B RNA in 3.5% of samples and a high seroprevalence of 58.3%, indicating widespread prior exposure.

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Wild birds in Egypt exhibit high seroprevalence but low molecular detection of avian metapneumovirus subtype B, indicating widespread prior exposure and potential epidemiological connectivity with poultry populations. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate the occurrence of avian metapneumovirus subtype B at the wildlife-poultry interface in Egypt and its implications for transmission.

Key Result

Cross-sectional surveillance of wild birds in Egypt detected aMPV subtype B RNA in 3.5% of samples and a high seroprevalence of 58.3%, indicating widespread prior exposure.

Key Points

To investigate the occurrence of avian metapneumovirus subtype B at the wildlife-poultry interface in Egypt and its implications for transmission.
Cross-sectional study conducted from December 2024 to April 2026.
Collected 1280 samples from 800 wild birds across eleven Egyptian governorates.
Investigated samples using real-time RT-qPCR for aMPV and indirect ELISA for serological assessment.
aMPV RNA was detected in 3.5% of samples (28/800), all identified as subtype B, primarily in specific regions.
Serological analysis indicated a seroprevalence of 58.3% (280/480), showing widespread prior exposure among birds.
Disparity between low molecular detection and high seroprevalence supports the notion of transient infection and cumulative exposure.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=800)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Population

800 wild birds representing migratory waterfowl and synanthropic species across eleven Egyptian governorates

Outcome

aMPV occurrence (molecular detection by RT-qPCR and seroprevalence by ELISA)surrogate

High seroprevalence but low molecular detection of aMPV subtype B in Egyptian wild birds suggests widespread prior exposure and transient infection at the wildlife-poultry interface.

Main Result

p-value: p=<0.05

Limitations

Directionality of transmission and independent wildlife maintenance could not be determined within the scope of the cross-sectional study.
Cannot distinguish field strains from potential vaccine-derived viruses.

Abstract

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) is a major respiratory pathogen of poultry with a significant economic impact; however, its epidemiology at the wildlife–poultry interface remains poorly understood, particularly within Afro–Eurasian migratory systems. This cross-sectional study (December 2024–April 2026) investigated aMPV occurrence in wild birds across eleven Egyptian governorates representing key ecological zones along major migratory flyways. A total of 1280 samples were collected from 800 wild birds representing migratory waterfowl and synanthropic species, including 800 oropharyngeal swabs tested by real-time RT-qPCR for aMPV subtypes A and B and 480 serum samples analyzed using indirect ELISA. aMPV RNA was detected in 28/800 samples (3.5%), with all positives identified as subtype B and confined to the Nile Delta, Middle Egypt, and Canal Region. In contrast, serological analysis revealed a high seroprevalence of 58.3% (280/480), indicating widespread prior exposure with significant spatial and species-level variation (p < 0.05). The marked disparity between low molecular detection and high seroprevalence supports transient infection with cumulative exposure. The exclusive detection of subtype B may reflect epidemiological connectivity between poultry and wild bird populations within shared ecological interfaces; however, the directionality of transmission and the possibility of independent wildlife maintenance could not be determined within the scope of the present cross-sectional study. Future studies incorporating whole-genome sequencing, longitudinal surveillance, and broader flyway-scale sampling are needed to resolve transmission pathways and distinguish field strains from potential vaccine-derived viruses within wildlife–poultry interfaces.