ARS | Publication request: COMPARATIVE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF SELECTED AVIAN AND MAMMALIAN SPECIES TO A HONG KONG-ORIGIN H5N1 HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA

Submitted to: Avian Influenza Symposium International Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 4, 2002
Publication Date: April 14, 2002
Citation: Perkins, L.E., Swayne, D.E. 2002. Comparative Susceptibility Of Selected Avian And Mammalian Species To A Hong Kong-Origin H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Avian Influenza Symposium International Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary: This investigation compares the susceptibility of multiple species of birds and two species of mammals to the Hong Kong H5N1 bird flu virus. The results show that this virus can cause severe fatal disease in chickens, turkeys, Japanese and Bobwhite quail, guineafowl, Ringneck pheasants, Chukar partridges, and zebra finches. The virus causes severe neurological ldisease with variable mortality in emus, geese, house finches, and budgerigars. Conversely, the virus caused no or only minor disease in ducks, gulls, and house sparrows, and pigeons, starlings, rats, and rabbits were largely resistant to infection. This suggests the Hong Kong H5N1 viruses can have a severe affect on diverse poultry species, but some birds and mammals are resistant.

Technical Abstract: Seventeen avian species and two mammalian species were intranasally inoculated with the zoonotic A/chicken/Hong Kong/220/97 (chicken/HK) (H5N1) avian influenza (AI) virus in order to ascertain a relative range of susceptible hosts and the pathobiology of the resultant disease. A direct association was demonstrated between viral replication and the severity of disease, with four general gradations being observed among these species. These gradations included widespread dissemination with rapid and high mortality, neurological disease relative to viral neurotropism, asymptomatic infection or only mild transient depression associated with minor viral replication, and absence of disease relative to minimal to no viral replication. This investigation not only demonstrates that the chicken/HK virus can infect multiple avian species, but also that the virulence of the chicken/HK virus can vary significantly among avian species, including those species which are members of the same order.