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Ramsubeik S, Stoute S, Crossley B, Rejmanek D, Jerry C, Jackson W, Bland M, Ochoa J. Natural Infection with H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Influenza (HPAI) Virus in 5- and 10-Day-Old Commercial Pekin Ducklings ( Anas platyrhynchos domesticus). Avian Dis 2024; 68:65-71. [PMID: 38687110 DOI: 10.1637/aviandiseases-d-23-00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has resulted in catastrophic economic losses globally in poultry. This case report describes the diagnostic detection and pathology of HPAI H5N1 in 5-day-old commercial ducklings, which is an atypical age for detection of natural infection of HPAI in poultry. The pathology observed at 5 days of age was also compared to lesions observed in ducklings from the same flock evaluated at 10 days of age before depopulation. The California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Laboratory, Tulare, received ten 5-day-old Pekin duckling (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) carcasses for diagnostic evaluation due to mortality that started increasing at 3 days of age. The most common gross findings included bilateral pulmonary edema with congestion and enlarged, mottled livers and spleens. Microscopically, cerebral neuronophagia, pancreatic necrosis, and interstitial pneumonia with pulmonary edema were observed in the 5-day-old ducklings. Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs were positive for avian influenza virus (AIV) by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. The AIV was typed as HPAI, EA/AM 2.3.4.4b H5N1 goose/Guangdong clade lineage by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory. Ducks at the affected premises were depopulated 4 days after the 5-day-old ducklings were submitted to the CAHFS lab, at which time additional tissue samples were collected for comparison to 10-day-old ducklings on the same premises. Differences in microscopic lesions and AIV tissue distribution were observed between the 5-day and 10-day tissues collected. Notably, microscopic lesions were more severe in the brain and pancreas at 10 days of age. Findings in 10-day-old ducklings included cerebral lymphoplasmacytic perivascular cuffing, gliosis, neuronal degeneration, and pancreatic necrosis. AIV antigen distribution and intensity was greatest in the cerebral tissue of the brains at 10 days and in the lungs at 5 days of age. To the authors' knowledge, published studies are limited on AIV natural infection in domestic ducks less than 9 days of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayne Ramsubeik
- Turlock Branch, University of California, Davis, California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System, Turlock, CA 95380
| | - Simone Stoute
- Turlock Branch, University of California, Davis, California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System, Turlock, CA 95380,
| | - Beate Crossley
- Davis Branch, University of California, Davis, California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System, Davis, CA, 95616
| | - Daniel Rejmanek
- Davis Branch, University of California, Davis, California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System, Davis, CA, 95616
| | - Carmen Jerry
- Turlock Branch, University of California, Davis, California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System, Turlock, CA 95380
| | - Wendi Jackson
- Davis Branch, University of California, Davis, California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System, Davis, CA, 95616
| | - Mark Bland
- Cutler Veterinary Associates International, Napa, CA 94558
| | - Jennine Ochoa
- Tulare Branch, University of California, California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, Tulare, CA 93274
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Mortality Levels and Production Indicators for Suspicion of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Infection in Commercially Farmed Ducks. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111498. [PMID: 34832653 PMCID: PMC8620262 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a viral infection characterized by inducing severe disease and high levels of mortality in gallinaceous poultry. Increased mortality, drop in egg production or decreased feed or water intake are used as indicators for notification of suspicions of HPAI outbreaks. However, infections in commercial duck flocks may result in mild disease with low mortality levels, thereby compromising notifications. (2) Methods: Data on daily mortality, egg production, feed intake and water intake from broiler and breeder duck flocks not infected (n = 56 and n = 11, respectively) and infected with HPAIV (n = 13, n = 4) were used for analyses. Data from negative flocks were used to assess the baseline (daily) levels of mortality and production parameters and to identify potential threshold values for triggering suspicions of HPAI infections and assess the specificity (Sp) of these thresholds. Data from infected flocks were used to assess the effect of infection on daily mortality and production and to evaluate the sensitivity (Se) of the thresholds for early detection of outbreaks. (3) Results: For broiler flocks, daily mortality > 0.3% (after the first week of production) or using a regression model for aberration detection would indicate infection with Se and Sp higher than 80%. Drops in mean daily feed or water intake larger than 7 g or 14 mL (after the first week of production), respectively, are sensitive indicators of infection but have poor Sp. For breeders, mortality thresholds are poor indicators of infection (low Se and Sp). However, a consecutive drop in egg production larger than 9% is an effective indicator of a HPAI outbreak. For both broiler and breeder duck flocks, cumulative average methods were also assessed, which had high Se but generated many false alarms (poor Sp). (4) Conclusions: The identified reporting thresholds can be used to update legislation and provide guidelines to farmers and veterinarians to notify suspicions of HPAI outbreaks in commercial duck flocks.
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Mosad SM, El-Gohary FA, Ali HS, El-Sharkawy H, Elmahallawy EK. Pathological and Molecular Characterization of H5 Avian Influenza Virus in Poultry Flocks from Egypt over a Ten-Year Period (2009-2019). Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10061010. [PMID: 32527004 PMCID: PMC7341251 DOI: 10.3390/ani10061010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Avian influenza virus (H5) remains one of the challenging zoonotic viruses in Egypt. Our study investigated the occurrence of this virus among chickens from Dakhalia governorate, Egypt over ten years through histopathological examination and molecular characterization of the virus. The molecular characterization was followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the positive samples. Importantly, we have reported several interesting pathological changes and high occurrence of the H5 avian influenza virus, the phylogenetic analysis revealed that positive samples were aligned with several Egyptian sub clades. Clearly, our study concludes the widespread of the virus among poultry flocks in Egypt and suggests further future research aims to develop an efficient surveillance program with investigation into the effectiveness of the implemented control measures for controlling this disease of public health concern. Abstract Avian influenza virus (AIV) remains one of the enzootic zoonotic diseases that challenges the poultry industry in Egypt. In the present study, a total of 500 tissue samples were collected from 100 chicken farms (broilers and layers) suspected to be infected with AIV through the period from 2009 to 2019 from Dakahlia governorate, Egypt. These samples were pooled in 100 working samples and screened for AIV then the positive samples were subjected to histopathological examination combined with real time-polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR). RRT-PCR positive samples were also subjected to conventional reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detection of H5 AIV and some of these resulting positive samples were sequenced for detection of the molecular nature of the studied virus. Interestingly, the histopathological examination revealed necrotic liver with leukocytic infiltration with degenerative changes with necrotic pancreatitis, edema, and intense lymphoid depletion of splenic tissue and hyperplastic tracheal epithelium. Likewise, edema and congested sub mucosal blood vessels and intense bronchial necrosis with hyalinized wall vascular wall and heterophils infiltration were reported. Pneumonic areas with intense leukocytic aggregation mainly and vasculitis of the pulmonary blood vessels were also detected in lung. Collectively, these significant pathological changes in examined tissues cohered with AIV infection. Regarding the molecular characterization, 66 samples were positive for AIV by RRT-PCR and 52 of them were positive for H5 AIV by RT-PCR. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the H5 viruses identified in this study were aligned with other Egyptian H5N1 AIVs in the Egyptian sub clade 2.2.1, while some of the identified strains were aligned with other Egyptian H5N8 strains in the new Egyptian sub clade 2.3.4.4. Taken together, our present findings emphasize the wide spread of AIV in Egypt and the importance of developing an efficient surveillance and periodical screening program for controlling such disease of public health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samah Mosad Mosad
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt;
| | - Fatma A. El-Gohary
- Department of Hygiene and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt;
| | - Hanaa Said Ali
- Department of Pathology, Animal Health Research Institute, Mansoura Branch, Mansoura 35516, Egypt;
| | - Hanem El-Sharkawy
- Department of Poultry and Rabbit Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33511, Egypt;
| | - Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
- Department of Zoonotic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
- Correspondence:
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Tolba HMN, Abou Elez RMM, Elsohaby I, Ahmed HA. Molecular identification of avian influenza virus subtypes H5N1 and H9N2 in birds from farms and live bird markets and in respiratory patients. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5473. [PMID: 30202644 PMCID: PMC6129142 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have been endemic in Egypt since 2006, and the co-circulation of high-pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 and low-pathogenic avian influenza H9N2 subtypes in poultry has been reported; therefore, Egypt is considered a hotspot for the generation of new subtypes and genotypes. We aimed to characterize AIVs circulating on commercial farms and in live bird markets (LBMs) during the winters of 2015 and 2016 in the study area and to identify H5N1 and H9N2 viruses in respiratory patients. Methods In total, 159 samples were collected from ducks, pigeons and quails on farms (n = 59) and in LBMs (n = 100) and screened by real-time RT-PCR for H5N1 and H9N2 subtypes. Clinical and postmortem examination was carried out on birds from the farms. Positive H5N1 samples were sequenced and analysed for mutations. Tracheal swabs were also collected from 89 respiratory patients admitted to respiratory hospitals in the same study area. Results Overall, H5N1 was identified in 13.6% of birds from farms, while it was detected in 17% of birds in LBMs. Subtype H9N2 was only identified from pigeons on farms (6.5%) and LBMs (11.4%). Sequencing of the haemagglutination gene (HA) in nine representative H5N1 isolates revealed a multi-basic amino acid motif at the cleavage site (321-PQGEKRRKKR/GLF-333), which is characteristic of highly pathogenic AIV, in five of our isolates, while the other four isolates showed an amino acid substitution (Q322K) at this cleavage site to make it (321-P K GEKRRKKR/GLF-333). All the isolates belonged to clade 2.2.1.2, and a comparison of HA sequences at the amino acid level showed 98.8-100% homology among the nine isolates, while they showed 94.1-96.1% identity with reference strains and the commonly used vaccine strain in Egypt. Out of 89 respiratory patients, 3.4% were positive for H5N1 and no patients were positive for H9N2. Discussion Our results indicated the circulation of the endemic H5N1 and H9N2 viruses among poultry in 2015 and 2016. Birds on farms and in LBMs are reservoirs playing a role in the dissemination of the virus and producing a public health risk. The application of proper hygienic measures in farms and LBMs to control the exposure of birds and humans to the source of infection along with continuous monitoring of the circulating viruses will provide information on understanding the evolution of the viruses for vaccine studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hala M N Tolba
- Department of Avian and Rabbit Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Rasha M M Abou Elez
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim Elsohaby
- Department of Animal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.,Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - Heba A Ahmed
- Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
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Samir M, Hamed M, Abdallah F, Kinh Nguyen V, Hernandez-Vargas EA, Seehusen F, Baumgärtner W, Hussein A, Ali AAH, Pessler F. An Egyptian HPAI H5N1 isolate from clade 2.2.1.2 is highly pathogenic in an experimentally infected domestic duck breed (Sudani duck). Transbound Emerg Dis 2018; 65:859-873. [PMID: 29363279 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses continue to cause major problems in poultry and can, although rarely, cause human infection. Being enzootic in domestic poultry, Egyptian isolates are continuously evolving, and novel clades vary in their pathogenicity in avian hosts. Considering the importance of domestic ducks as natural hosts of HPAI H5N1 viruses and their likelihood of physical contact with other avian hosts and humans, it is of utmost importance to characterize the pathogenicity of newly emerged HPAI strains in the domestic duck. The most recently identified Egyptian clade 2.2.1.2 HPAI H5N1 viruses have been isolated from naturally infected pigeons, turkeys and humans. However, essentially nothing is known about their pathogenicity in domestic ducks. We therefore characterized the pathogenicity of an Egyptian HPAI H5N1 isolate A/chicken/Faquos/amn12/2011 (clade 2.2.1.2) in Sudani duck, a domestic duck breed commonly reared in Egypt. While viral transcription (HA mRNA) was highest in lung, heart and kidney peaking between 40 and 48 hpi, lower levels were detected in brain. Weight loss of infected ducks started at 16 hpi and persisted until 120 hpi. The first severe clinical signs were noted by 32 hpi and peaked in severity at 72 and 96 hpi. Haematological analyses showed a decline in total leucocytes, granulocytes, platelets and granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio, but lymphocytosis. Upon necropsy, lesions were obvious in heart, liver, spleen and pancreas and consisted mainly of necrosis and petechial haemorrhage. Histologically, lungs were the most severely affected organs, whereas brain only showed mild neuronal degeneration and gliosis at 48 hpi despite obvious neurological clinical signs. Taken together, our results provide first evidence that this HPAI H5N1 isolate (clade 2.2.1.2) is highly pathogenic to Sudani ducks and highlight the importance of this breed as potential reservoir and disseminator of HPAI strains from this clade.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Samir
- TWINCORE, Center for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - M Hamed
- Marsa matrouh branch, Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - F Abdallah
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - V Kinh Nguyen
- Systems Medicine of Infectious Diseases, Department of Systems Immunology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - E A Hernandez-Vargas
- Systems Medicine of Infectious Diseases, Department of Systems Immunology and Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - F Seehusen
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - W Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - A Hussein
- Department of Avian and Rabbit Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - A A H Ali
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - F Pessler
- TWINCORE, Center for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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Mahmoud EA. Hemato-biochemical and pathological changes on avian influenza in naturally infected domestic ducks in Egypt. Vet World 2015; 8:1177-82. [PMID: 27047014 PMCID: PMC4774652 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.1177-1182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Revised: 08/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Few studies have been made in regard to avian influenza (AI) in ducks, thus the aim of this work was planned to investigate the hematological, biochemical, and pathological changes in domestic Egyptian ducks naturally infected with AI. MATERIALS AND METHODS 30 duck from private backyards 3-month-old 15 were clinically healthy (Group 1) and the other fifteen (Group 2) were naturally diseased with AI (H5N1). The disease was diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction as H5N1. RESULTS Duck showed cyanosis, subcutaneous edema of head and neck with nervous signs (torticollis). Hematological studies revealed a microcytic hypochromic anemia. Biochemical studies revealed a significant decrease in total protein, albumin and globulin concentration with significant increase of activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, Υ-glutamyl transpeptidase, lactic acid dehydrogenase and creatine phsphokinase. Prominent increase in creatinine and uric acid in addition to hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia were significantly detected in the infected ducks. Histopathological finding confirm these investigations. CONCLUSION The highly pathogenic AIV (A/H5N1) became more severe infectious to ducks than before and causes nervous manifestations and blindness which were uncommon in ducks. Besides the significant increases of hepatic enzymes, brain, heart, and renal markers as a response to virus damage to these organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essam A. Mahmoud
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig City, Sharkia Province, Egypt
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