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El-Shall NA, Abd El Naby WSH, Hussein EGS, Yonis AE, Sedeik ME. Pathogenicity of H5N8 avian influenza virus in chickens and in duck breeds and the role of MX1 and IFN-α in infection outcome and transmission to contact birds. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 100:102039. [PMID: 37591150 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102039] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the pathogenicity, immunogenicity, and transmission potential of the H5N8 HPAI clade 2.3.4.4b virus in three breeds of ducks and in broiler chickens. Chickens, Muscovy, Pekin, and Mallard ducks (n = 10) received a dose of 6 log10 EID50 of HPAIV H5N8 directly. Nine contact chickens were introduced to each group on the day of infection. All infected chickens died, with MDT of 7.6 days. Muscovy and Pekin ducks died by 11.1% and 10%, respectively, with MDTs of 7 and 6 days. No Mallards died but showed more severe clinical disease than Pekin ducks. Mallards had the highest MX1 gene expression in the lung and spleen and IFN-α in the spleen. MX1 expression levels were lower in the spleen and lung of Pekin ducks, in the spleen of chickens and in the lung of Muscovy ducks than in noninfected controls. However, viral shedding was higher in ducks than in chickens and was highest in Mallards. 66.7% of chickens placed in contact with infected chickens died and 77.8% of in-contact chickens to infected three duck breeds died. In conclusion, there was a diversity in sensitivity and immunogenicity for HPAIV H5N8 among duck breeds, resulting in diverse infection outcomes and transmissibility to contacts. This study provides duck/chicken interface models for HPAIV transmission to poultry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahed A El-Shall
- Department of Poultry and Fish Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Edfina, 22758, Egypt.
| | - Walaa S H Abd El Naby
- Genetics and Genetic Engineering in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Edfina, 22758, Egypt
| | - Eid G S Hussein
- Reference Laboratory for Veterinary Quality Control on Poultry Production, Damanhour Branch, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Egypt
| | - Ahlam E Yonis
- Biotechnology Department, Reference Laboratory for Veterinary Quality Control on Poultry Production ( RLQP), Damanhour branch, Animal health research institute (AHRI), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Damanhour, 22511, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud E Sedeik
- Department of Poultry and Fish Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Edfina, 22758, Egypt
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Djurdjević B, Polaček V, Pajić M, Petrović T, Vučićević I, Vidanović D, Aleksić-Kovačević S. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 Outbreak in Backyard Chickens in Serbia. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040700. [PMID: 36830487 PMCID: PMC9952722 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In winter 2016/2017, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N8 was detected in backyard poultry in Serbia for the first time. The second HPAI outbreak case in backyard poultry was reported in 2022, caused by subtype H5N1. This is the first study that documents the laboratory identification and pathology associated with highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry in Serbia during the first and second introduction waves. In both cases, the diagnosis was based on real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. The most common observed lesions included subepicardial hemorrhages, congestion and hemorrhages in the lungs, and petechial hemorrhages in coelomic and epicardial adipose tissue. Histologically, the observed lesions were mostly nonpurulent encephalitis accompanied by encephalomalacia, multifocal necrosis in the spleen, pancreas, and kidneys, pulmonary congestion, and myocardial and pulmonary hemorrhages. In H5N8-infected chickens, immunohistochemical examination revealed strong positive IHC staining in the brain and lungs. Following these outbreaks, strict control measures were implemented on farms and backyard holdings to prevent the occurrence and spread of the disease. Extensive surveillance of birds for avian influenza virus did not detect any additional cases in poultry. These outbreaks highlight the importance of a rapid detection and response system in order to quickly suppress outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biljana Djurdjević
- Department of Epizootiology, Clinical diagnostics and DDD, Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad”, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
- Correspondence:
| | - Vladimir Polaček
- Department of Epizootiology, Clinical diagnostics and DDD, Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad”, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Marko Pajić
- Department of Epizootiology, Clinical diagnostics and DDD, Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad”, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Tamaš Petrović
- Department of Virology, Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad”, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Ivana Vučićević
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dejan Vidanović
- Veterinary Specialized Institute Kraljevo, 36000 Kraljevo, Serbia
| | - Sanja Aleksić-Kovačević
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
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Abotaleb MM, Mourad A, Fouad E, Abdo W, Nassif SA. Pathogenicity and pathogenesis of a recent highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N8 in mule ducklings in Egypt. Vet World 2023; 16:59-67. [PMID: 36855343 PMCID: PMC9967731 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.59-67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim In late 2017, an H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, clade 2.3.4.4, was isolated from domestic ducks in Egypt, which was associated with high morbidity and low mortality. The pathogenicity increased due to the continuous circulation of virus in ducks. Thus, this study aimed to monitor the pathogenesis and pathogenicity of new H5N8 Avian influenza (AI) virus in mule ducklings. Materials and Methods The lethal dose 50 (LD50) for this new local HPAI H5N8 isolate was calculated. Twenty ducklings were inoculated with 0.1 mL of dilution containing 10 LD50 HPAI per duck. The clinical signs and mortalities were recorded until 30 days post-infection (DPI) to confirm viral pathogenesis. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect viral shedding from collected cloacal swabs after 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 14th, 21st, and 30th DPI. The main histopathological lesions associated with the presence of HPAI virus were also recorded on the 3rd and 14th DPI. Results The result showed that the LD50 of the new HPAI H5N8 was 104 log10. Clinical signs were observed after 2nd DPI, but it was clinically severe on 3rd, 4th, and 5th DPI in the form of respiratory and gastric disorders, forming 90% of all diseased ducklings, whereas 30% of the infected ducks only showed nervous signs. The mortality rate peaked on 4th and 5th DPI with a cumulative mortality rate of 60% for the inoculated ducks, whereas no mortality was recorded after 6th DPI. Dead ducks showed typical postmortem lesions of AI disease. Necrosis and ecchymotic or petechial hemorrhages on the heart, pancreas, liver, and spleen were observed, whereas the lung showed pneumonia. With regard to viral shedding, infected ducklings shed the virus from its gut until 7th DPI, but the number of duck shedders gradually decreased until 14th DPI after viral shedding. The histopathological findings indicated that the spleen and thymus showed necrosis and hemorrhages, whereas the brain showed multifocal malacic foci and spread meningitis. Moreover, the lung had intrabronchial hyaline degeneration and fibrinous pneumonia on 3rd DPI. Furthermore, the liver showed multifocal necrotic foci and subcapsular hemorrhage, whereas the kidney showed remarkable tubular degeneration, mostly within the collecting tubules. Furthermore, the heart showed marked myocardiolysis of the cardiac muscle fibers. On 14th DPI, all histopathological lesions of the examined organs were restored to normal. Conclusion The currently circulating HPAI H5N8 virus strain has high virulence, particularly for imported mule ducks that originated from non-vaccinated breeder ducks. Therefore, vaccination and quarantine measures must be applied on imported 1-day-old mule ducklings. Moreover, the pathogenesis must be reviewed and monitored for updating circulating AI strains caused by the continuous and rapid evolution of AI viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud M. Abotaleb
- Central Laboratory for Evaluation of Veterinary Biologics, Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Cairo, Egypt,Corresponding author: Mahmoud M. Abotaleb, e-mail: Co-authors: AM: , EF: , WS: , SAN:
| | - Ahlam Mourad
- Central Laboratory for Evaluation of Veterinary Biologics, Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Esraa Fouad
- Central Laboratory for Evaluation of Veterinary Biologics, Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Walied Abdo
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafr-Elsheikh University, Egypt
| | - Samir A. Nassif
- Central Laboratory for Evaluation of Veterinary Biologics, Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Cairo, Egypt
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Jiang W, Liu S, Yin X, Li Z, Lan Z, Xire L, Wang Z, Xie Y, Peng C, Li J, Hou G, Yu X, Sun R, Liu H. Comparative Antigenicity and Pathogenicity of Two Distinct Genotypes of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses (H5N8) From Wild Birds in China, 2020-2021. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:893253. [PMID: 35602012 PMCID: PMC9122345 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.893253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, there have been three epidemic waves of H5N8 avian influenza worldwide. The current third epidemic wave began in October 2020 and has expanded to at least 46 countries. Active and passive surveillance were conducted to monitor H5N8 viruses from wild birds in China. Genetic analysis of 10 H5N8 viruses isolated from wild birds identified two different genotypes. Animal challenge experiments indicated that the H5N8 isolates are highly pathogenic in chickens, mildly pathogenic in ducks, while pathogenicity varied in BALB/c mice. Moreover, there were significant differences in antigenicity as compared to Re-11 vaccine strain and vaccinated chickens were not completely protected against challenge with the high dose of H5N8 virus. With the use of the new matched vaccine and increased poultry immune density, surveillance should be intensified to monitor the emergence of mutant strains and potential worldwide spread via wild birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenming Jiang
- China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Qingdao, China
| | - Shuo Liu
- China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Qingdao, China
| | - Xin Yin
- China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhixin Li
- Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Yinchuan, China
| | - Zouran Lan
- Shandong Provincial Center for Animal Disease Control, Jinan, China
| | - Luosong Xire
- Tibet Autonomous Region Veterinary Biological Pharmaceuticals Factory, Lhasa, China
| | - Zhongbing Wang
- Shanxi Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yinqian Xie
- Shaanxi Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Qingdao, China
| | - Jinping Li
- China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Qingdao, China
| | - Guangyu Hou
- China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaohui Yu
- China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Qingdao, China
| | - Rongzhao Sun
- China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Qingdao, China
| | - Hualei Liu
- China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Qingdao, China
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Gaide N, Lucas MN, Delpont M, Croville G, Bouwman KM, Papanikolaou A, van der Woude R, Gagarinov IA, Boons GJ, De Vries RP, Volmer R, Teillaud A, Vergne T, Bleuart C, Le Loc’h G, Delverdier M, Guérin JL. Pathobiology of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza viruses in naturally infected Galliformes and Anseriformes in France during winter 2015–2016. Vet Res 2022; 53:11. [PMID: 35164866 PMCID: PMC8842868 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-022-01028-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In late 2015, an epizootic of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5Nx) was registered in Southwestern France, including more than 70 outbreaks in commercial poultry flocks. Phylogenetic analyses suggested local emergence of H5 viruses which differed from A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996 clade 2.3.4.4b lineage and shared a unique polybasic cleavage site in their hemagglutinin protein. The present work provides an overview of the pathobiological picture associated with this epizootic in naturally infected chickens, guinea fowls and ducks. Upon necropsy examination, selected tissues were sampled for histopathology, immunohistochemistry and quantitative Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. In Galliformes, HPAIVs infection manifested as severe acute systemic vasculitis and parenchymal necrosis and was associated with endothelial expression of viral antigen. In ducks, lesions were mild and infrequent, with sparse antigenic detection in respiratory and digestive mucosae and leukocytes. Tissue quantifications of viral antigen and RNA were higher in chickens and guinea fowls compared to duck. Subsequently, recombinant HA (rHA) was generated from a H5 HPAIV isolated from an infected duck to investigate its glycan-binding affinity for avian mucosae. Glycan-binding analysis revealed strong affinity of rHA for 3’Sialyl-LacNAc and low affinity for Sialyl-LewisX, consistent with a duck-adapted virus similar to A/Duck/Mongolia/54/2001 (H5N2). K222R and S227R mutations on rHA sequence shifted affinity towards Sialyl-LewisX and led to an increased affinity for chicken mucosa, confirming the involvement of these two mutations in the glycan-binding specificity of the HA. Interestingly, the rHA glycan binding pattern of guinea fowl appeared intermediate between duck and chicken. The present study presents a unique pathobiological description of the H5 HPAIVs outbreaks that occurred in 2015–2016 in Southwestern France.
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Multiple Gene Segments Are Associated with Enhanced Virulence of Clade 2.3.4.4 H5N8 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus in Mallards. J Virol 2021; 95:e0095521. [PMID: 34232725 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00955-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses from the H5Nx Goose/Guangdong/96 lineage continue to cause outbreaks in domestic and wild bird populations. Two distinct genetic groups of H5N8 HPAI viruses, hemagglutinin (HA) clades 2.3.4.4A and 2.3.4.4B, caused intercontinental outbreaks in 2014 to 2015 and 2016 to 2017, respectively. Experimental infections using viruses from these outbreaks demonstrated a marked difference in virulence in mallards, with the H5N8 virus from 2014 causing mild clinical disease and the 2016 H5N8 virus causing high mortality. To assess which gene segments are associated with enhanced virulence of H5N8 HPAI viruses in mallards, we generated reassortant viruses with 2014 and 2016 viruses. For single-segment reassortants in the genetic backbone of the 2016 virus, pathogenesis experiments in mallards revealed that morbidity and mortality were reduced for all eight single-segment reassortants compared to the parental 2016 virus, with significant reductions in mortality observed with the polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2), nucleoprotein (NP), and matrix (M) reassortants. No differences in morbidity and mortality were observed with reassortants that either have the polymerase complex segments or the HA and neuraminidase (NA) segments of the 2016 virus in the genetic backbone of the 2014 virus. In vitro assays showed that the NP and polymerase acidic (PA) segments of the 2014 virus lowered polymerase activity when combined with the polymerase complex segments of the 2016 virus. Furthermore, the M segment of the 2016 H5N8 virus was linked to filamentous virion morphology. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that gene segments related to the more virulent 2016 H5N8 virus have persisted in the contemporary H5Nx HPAI gene pool until 2020. IMPORTANCE Outbreaks of H5Nx HPAI viruses from the goose/Guangdong/96 lineage continue to occur in many countries and have resulted in substantial impact on wild birds and poultry. Epidemiological evidence has shown that wild waterfowl play a major role in the spread of these viruses. While HPAI virus infection in gallinaceous species causes high mortality, a wide range of disease outcomes has been observed in waterfowl species. In this study, we examined which gene segments contribute to severe disease in mallards infected with H5N8 HPAI viruses. No virus gene was solely responsible for attenuating the high virulence of a 2016 H5N8 virus, but the PB2, NP, and M segments significantly reduced mortality. The findings herein advance our knowledge on the pathobiology of avian influenza viruses in waterfowl and have potential implications on the ecology and epidemiology of H5Nx HPAI in wild bird populations.
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