1
|
Muñoz G, Ulloa M, Alegría R, Quezada B, Bennett B, Enciso N, Atavales J, Johow M, Aguayo C, Araya H, Neira V. Stranding and mass mortality in humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti), associated to HPAIV H5N1 outbreak in Chile. Prev Vet Med 2024; 227:106206. [PMID: 38696942 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106206] [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: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
The highly pathogenic Avian Influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 has caused a global outbreak affecting both wild and domestic animals, predominantly avian species. To date, cases of the HPAIV H5 Clade 2.3.4.4b in penguins have exclusively been reported in African Penguins. In Chile, the virus was confirmed in pelicans in December 2022 and subsequently spread across the country, affecting several species, including Humboldt penguins. This study aims to provide an overview of the incidents involving stranded and deceased Humboldt penguins and establish a connection between these events and HPAIV H5N1. Historical data about strandings between 2009 and 2023 was collected, and samples from suspected cases in 2023 were obtained to confirm the presence of HPAIV H5N1. Between January and August 2023, 2,788 cases of stranded and deceased penguins were recorded. Out of these, a total of 2,712 penguins deceased, evidencing a significative increase in mortality starting in early 2023 coinciding with the introduction and spreading of HPAIV H5N1 in the country. Thirty-seven events were categorized as mass mortality events, with the number of deceased penguins varying from 11 to 98. Most cases (97 %) were observed in the North of Chile. One hundred and eighty-one specimens were subjected to HPAIV diagnosis, four of which tested positive for HPAIV H5N1. Spatial analysis validates the correlation between mass mortality events and outbreaks of HPAIV in Chile. However, the limited rate of HPAIV H5N1 detection, which can be attributed to the type and quality of the samples, requiring further exploration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Muñoz
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Silvoagropecuarias y Veterinarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mauricio Ulloa
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Servicio Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Raúl Alegría
- Escuela Medicina Veterinaria, sede Santiago, Facultad de Recursos Naturales y Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago, Chile
| | - Barbara Quezada
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Benjamín Bennett
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nikita Enciso
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | | | | | - Hugo Araya
- Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero, Santiago, Chile
| | - Victor Neira
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abolnik C. Spillover of an endemic avian Influenza H6N2 chicken lineage to ostriches and reassortment with clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 high pathogenicity viruses in chickens. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:1233-1237. [PMID: 37966679 PMCID: PMC10998810 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10258-z] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Prior to 2017, chicken production in South Africa had only ever been affected by an endemic strain of H6N2 low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI), but since 2017, an outbreak of Goose/Guangdong clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) introduced by wild birds, followed by clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAI (2021-present), affected the country. In the present study, the viruses from seven cases of H6N2 LPAI from commercial poultry between October 2019 and August 2020 were genome-sequenced along with an H5N2 HPAI virus, and phylogenetic analysis was performed. The H5N2 HPAI virus caused localized outbreaks in a small-scale chicken farm and a large commercial layer farm in the KwaZulu-Natal province between late October and early December 2022. The phylogenetic results confirmed the first incidence of the chicken-adapted H6N2 lineage in commercial ostriches in the Western Cape province, with a likely epidemiological origin in chickens from the KwaZulu Natal province. The results also showed that the H5N2 HPAI virus was a novel reassortant of PB2, PB1, PA, NP and NA genome segments derived from a parental H6N2 virus that circulated in region, whereas the HA, M and NS genome segments were derived from sub-genotype SA10 H5N1 HPAI parental virus that had circulated in the local wild bird reservoir since July 2021.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celia Abolnik
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jiang J, Hu D, Pei E. Integrated omics analysis reveals a correlation between gut microbiota and egg production in captive African penguins (Spheniscus demersus). Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 263:107448. [PMID: 38428346 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107448] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
The egg production of captive African penguins differs considerably between individuals. An understanding of the physiological differences in African penguins with relatively greater and lesser egg production is meaningful for the captive breeding program of this endangered species. The objective of this study was to investigate differential microbial composition and metabolites in captive African penguins with different egg production. Fecal samples were collected from captive female African penguins during the breeding season. The results of 16 S rRNA gene sequencing showed that African penguins with different egg production had similar microbial diversities, whereas a significant difference was observed between their microbial community structure. African penguins with relatively greater egg production exhibited a higher relative abundance of Alphaproteobacteria, Rhizobiales, Bradyrhizobiaceae, Bradyrhizobium and Bosea. Meanwhile, penguins with relatively lesser egg production had an increased proportion of Klebsiella and Plesiomonas. We further identified a total of 1858 metabolites in female African penguins by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Among these metabolites, 13 kinds of metabolites were found to be significantly differential between African penguins with different egg production. In addition, the correlation analysis revealed that the egg production had significant correlations with most of the differential microbial bacteria and metabolites. Our findings might aid in understanding the potential mechanism underlying the phenomenon of abnormal egg production in captive African penguins, and provide novel insights into the relationship between gut microbiota and reproduction in penguins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingle Jiang
- Shanghai Endangered Species Conservation and Research Centre, Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai 200335, China
| | - Di Hu
- Shanghai Endangered Species Conservation and Research Centre, Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai 200335, China
| | - Enle Pei
- Shanghai Endangered Species Conservation and Research Centre, Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai 200335, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gartrell BD, Jolly MJ, Hunter SA. The risks and consequences of a high pathogenicity avian influenza outbreak in Aotearoa New Zealand. N Z Vet J 2024; 72:63-65. [PMID: 38228153 DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2023.2294915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- B D Gartrell
- Wildbase, Tāwharau Ora - School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - M J Jolly
- Wildbase, Tāwharau Ora - School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - S A Hunter
- Wildbase, Tāwharau Ora - School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Roberts LC, Abernethy D, Roberts DG, Ludynia K, O'Kennedy MM, Abolnik C. Vaccination of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) against high-pathogenicity avian influenza. Vet Rec 2024; 194:e3616. [PMID: 38012027 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.3616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) has become a conservation threat to wild birds. Therefore, suitable vaccine technology and practical application methods require investigation. METHODS Twenty-four African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) were vaccinated with either a conventional inactivated clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 HPAI whole virus or a tobacco leaf-produced H5 haemagglutinin-based virus-like particle (VLP). Six birds received a second dose of the inactivated vaccine. Antibody responses were assessed and compared by employing haemagglutination inhibition tests. RESULTS A second dose of inactivated vaccine was required to induce antibody titres above the level required to suppress virus shedding, while a single dose of VLP vaccine produced these levels by day 14, and one bird still had antibodies on day 430. LIMITATIONS Bacterial contamination of the VLP vaccine limited the monitoring period and sample size in that treatment group, and it was not possible to perform a challenge study with field virus. CONCLUSION VLP vaccines offer a more practical option than inactivated whole viruses, especially in logistically challenging situations involving wild birds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Christl Roberts
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- Department of Agriculture, Western Cape Government, Elsenburg, Western Cape, South Africa
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Darrell Abernethy
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth School of Veterinary Science, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, UK
| | - David Gordon Roberts
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Katrin Ludynia
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Martha Magaretha O'Kennedy
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- Next Generation Health Cluster, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Celia Abolnik
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|