Abstract Title
Evaluation of susceptibility and resistance to avian influenza viruses infection in chicken tissues
Abstract
The H9 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) threatens poultry and human health and is considered a pandemic concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). To effectively control AIV, we need more information on how the virus evolves, infects, and transmits among avian hosts. In this study, we evaluate H9Nx AIVs from chicken (H9CK), turkey (H9TK), ruddy turnstone (H9RT), and wood duck (H9WD) on chicken embryo-derived primary cell cultures to identify host and viral factors contributing to susceptibility and resistance to infection. Viral infection (MOI=0.1) was evaluated in chicken fibroblast (CEF), kidney (CEK), lung (CELu), liver (CELi), trachea (CET), and duodenum (CED) within 7 days post-inoculation (dpi). Viral replication dynamics were assessed through cytopathic effects, immunofluorescence (IF), Real-time RT-PCR (qPCR), 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50), and hemagglutination assay (HA). Results showed that H9Nx AIVs exhibited different tissue tropisms, with overall CEK, CELu, and CET being the most susceptible and CED and CEF most resistant to infection. The highest viral titer across tissues was observed for H9CK, followed by H9TK. Although H9RT and H9WD replicated in most tissues, no or low viral titer levels were detected in the supernatant. The IF confirmed specific tissue markers co-labeling with AIV proteins. Analyzes by RNAseq, qPCR, and MinION are undergoing to understand changes in the virus genome and host pathways modulated during infection in the selected tissues. Therefore, our findings emphasize the tissue-specific replication capabilities of H9Nx AIVs, which can provide future insights into understanding viral evolution, host susceptibility, and transmission.
Co-Author(s)
Rocio Gerez1, Diego E. Ventura1, Peter J. Neasham1, Shakiba Kazemian1, Mariana A. Pinheiro1, Dimitrios Sakkas1, James T Krehling1, Erica Spackman2, Constantinos S. Kyriakis1, Miria F. Criado1
1Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL, USA
2Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. National Poultry Research Center, Athens, GA, USA
Abstract Category
Transmission pathways, pathobiology, immune responses