Experimental infection of domestic geese (Anser anser var. domesticus) with H5N8 Gs/GD and H7N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses.

In this study, the pathogenesis of H5N8 HPAIV in comparison with H7N1 HPAIV and the role of domestic geese in the epidemiology of these viruses were evaluated. Local and commercial geese (Anser anser var. domesticus) were intranasally inoculated with 105 ELD50 of A/goose/Spain/IA17CR02699/2017 (H5N8) or A/Chicken/Italy/5093/1999 (H7N1) and monitored daily during 15 days. H5N8 was highly virulent to domestic geese, reaching 100% mortality by day 10 post-infection. Systemic microscopic necrotizing lesions associated to widespread AIV-antigen by IHC techniques were detected, being the most severely-affected the central nervous system. High viral loads by qRT-PCR were present in all samples collected: oral and cloacal swabs, plasma and tissues, and moderate levels in pool water. Domestic geese were also susceptible to H7N1 infection, as demonstrated by seroconversion and detection of viral RNA in tissues and plasma in few geese, but all lacked clinical signs. Viral shedding was confirmed in only some geese and restricted to oral route, but levels were high and still detected at the end of the study. Overall, H7N1 present a lower letality and shedding than H5N8 in geese, however the viral shedding indicate that these species could play a role in the epidemiology of Gs/GD and other lineages of HPAIVs. Highlights H5N8 Gs/GD clade 2.3.4.4 Group B is highly virulent to domestic geese. The severity of H5N8 was associated with multisystemic replication. H7N1 can infect domestic geese bu...
Source: Avian Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Avian Pathol Source Type: research