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Bessière P, Gaide N, Croville G, Crispo M, Fusade-Boyer M, Abou Monsef Y, Dirat M, Beltrame M, Dendauw P, Lemberger K, Guérin JL, Le Loc'h G. High pathogenicity avian influenza A (H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus infection in a captive Tibetan black bear ( Ursus thibetanus): investigations based on paraffin-embedded tissues, France, 2022. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0373623. [PMID: 38305177 PMCID: PMC10913436 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03736-23] [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: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) H5Nx of clade 2.3.4.4b have been circulating increasingly in both wild and domestic birds in recent years. In turn, this has led to an increase in the number of spillover events affecting mammals. In November 2022, an HPAIV H5N1 caused an outbreak in a zoological park in the south of France, resulting in the death of a Tibetan black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and several captive and wild bird species. We detected the virus in various tissues of the bear and a wild black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) found dead in its enclosure using histopathology, two different in situ detection techniques, and next-generation sequencing, all performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Phylogenetic analysis performed on the hemagglutinin gene segment showed that bear and gull strains shared 99.998% genetic identity, making the bird strain the closest related strain. We detected the PB2 E627K mutation in minute quantities in the gull, whereas it predominated in the bear, which suggests that this mammalian adaptation marker was selected during the bear infection. Our results provide the first molecular and histopathological characterization of an H5N1 virus infection in this bear species. IMPORTANCE Avian influenza viruses are able to cross the species barrier between birds and mammals because of their high genetic diversity and mutation rate. Using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues, we were able to investigate a Tibetan black bear's infection by a high pathogenicity H5N1 avian influenza virus at the molecular, phylogenetic, and histological levels. Our results highlight the importance of virological surveillance programs in mammals and the importance of raising awareness among veterinarians and zookeepers of the clinical presentations associated with H5Nx virus infection in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicolas Gaide
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Manuela Crispo
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Malorie Dirat
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, Toulouse, France
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Crispo M, Muñoz MC, Lacroix F, Kheyi MR, Delverdier M, Croville G, Dirat M, Gaide N, Guerin JL, Le Loc'h G. Pathological investigation of high pathogenicity avian influenza H5N8 in captive houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata), the United Arab Emirates 2020. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4235. [PMID: 38378877 PMCID: PMC10879111 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54884-2] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
At the end of 2020, an outbreak of HPAI H5N8 was registered in captive African houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata) in the United Arab Emirates. In order to better understand the pathobiology of this viral infection in bustards, a comprehensive pathological characterization was performed. A total of six birds were selected for necropsy, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, RNAscope in situ hybridization and RT-qPCR and nanopore sequencing on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks. Gross lesions included mottled and/or hemorrhagic pancreas, spleen and liver and fibrinous deposits on air sacs and intestine. Necrotizing pancreatitis, splenitis and concurrent vasculitis, hepatitis and fibrino-heterophilic peritonitis were identified, microscopically. Viral antigens (nucleoprotein) and RNAs (matrix gene) were both detected within necro-inflammatory foci, parenchymal cells, stromal cells and endothelial cells of affected organs, including the myenteric plexus. Molecular analysis of FFPE blocks successfully detected HPAI H5N8, further confirming its involvement in the lesions observed. In conclusion, HPAI H5N8 in African houbara bustards results in hyperacute/acute forms exhibiting marked pantropism, endotheliotropism and neurotropism. In addition, our findings support the use of FFPE tissues for molecular studies of poorly characterized pathogens in exotic and endangered species, when availability of samples is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Crispo
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France.
| | - Mar Carrasco Muñoz
- Reneco International Wildlife Consultants LLC, PO Box 61741, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Frédéric Lacroix
- Reneco International Wildlife Consultants LLC, PO Box 61741, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed-Reda Kheyi
- Reneco International Wildlife Consultants LLC, PO Box 61741, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maxence Delverdier
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Guillaume Croville
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Malorie Dirat
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Nicolas Gaide
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Jean Luc Guerin
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Guillaume Le Loc'h
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France
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