Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #216562

Title: Susceptibility of five migratory aquatic birds to H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (A/Chicken/Korea/IS/06)

Author
item KWON, YONGKUK - USDA/FAS/ICD/RSED
item Swayne, David

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/17/2007
Publication Date: 1/21/2008
Citation: Kwon, Y., Swayne, D.E. 2008. Susceptibility of five migratory aquatic birds to H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (A/Chicken/Korea/IS/06) [abstract]. International Poultry Science Forum, January 21-22, 2008, Atlanta, Georgia. p. 32.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: It is not known which migratory aquatic species are important in spreading H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses, and the pathobiology of infections by such viruses. The objective of this investigation was to assess the susceptibility of Mute swans (Cygnus olor), Greylag geese (Anser anser), Ruddy Shelducks (Tadorna ferruginea), Mandarin ducks (Aix galericulata), and Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) to intranasal or contact inoculation with A/Chicken/Korea/IS/06 (H5N1) virus, which was genetically very close to H5N1 HPAI viruses isolated from wild birds in Siberia and Mongolia. Mute swans and Ruddy Shelducks were the most severely affected of the five species, exhibiting depression, diarrhea, and 100% mortality within 10 days of inoculation. Grossly, moderate to multifocal to confluent pancreatic necrosis and splenomegaly were identified in these two species. Histologically, brain, pancreas, spleen, heart, oral cavity, and adrenal gland were the most consistently affected, and HPAI virus was most frequently detected in the parenchyma of these organs. One dead of three inoculated Mandarin ducks developed severe necrotized pancreatitis and meningoencephatlitis, and segmental necrosis of myofibers in heart. Influenza viral antigen was detected in sites with histologic lesions. Unlike these three species, Greylag geese suffered moderate depression, but lacked mortality. However, the geese had severe cerebral malacia and meningoencephaltitis. Viral antigen was observed in necrotized neurons and neuropil in the brain, especially hemisphere of cerebrums. Mallard ducks were resistant to the H5N1 HPAI virus, lacking gross and histologic lesions, and viral antigen. These results imply that Mute swans and Ruddy Shelducks are highly susceptible to A/Chicken/Korea/IS/06 virus, and Mandarin ducks and Greylag are intermediately susceptible, whereas Mallard ducks are more resistant.