Abstract Title
Pathobiology and transmission pathways of clade 2.3.4.4b in birds and mammals
Abstract
Avian influenza virus epidemiology and host range have undergone profound changes in the past years driven by the emergence and evolution of clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5Nx of the goose/Guangdong (Gs/GD) lineage. Consequently, effective prevention of negative impacts on poultry production, wildlife biodiversity, and human health requires a new understanding of host-pathogen interaction in different hosts and non-invasive surveillance approaches. To that end, we performed a series of experimental infections with clade 2.3.4.4b viruses in different avian and mammalian species of interest. Infectivity, transmission, and pathogenicity were compared among viral strains and hosts by combining data on environmental transmission mechanisms, viral shedding rates, genomic signatures, and clinical outcome. Special emphasis was placed on evaluating the applicability of environmental sampling for viral RNA detection. In addition, we investigated the increasing adaptation of HPAIVs to wild birds and mammals. Our results suggest that a wide range of species including waterfowl, shorebirds, and mammals, are permissive for systemic infection and/or transmission of clade 2.3.4.4b viruses. However, pathobiology and clinical severity, as well as viral distribution and associated lesions in target organs, largely depend on the host species and the level of adaptation of each viral strain. In addition, non-invasive environmental sampling is a promising non-invasive tool for early viral RNA detection. In conclusion, clade 2.3.4.4b HPAIVs continues to pose a significant threat to wildlife, poultry, and humans; thus, understanding infection dynamics in new hosts and exploring new early detection methods is crucial for HPAIV control.
Co-Author(s)
Kateri Bertran1,2
1 Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA‑UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain.
2 Programa de Sanitat Animal, IRTA, CReSA, Campus de la UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain.
Abstract Category
Transmission pathways, pathobiology, immune responses