Neuropathogenesis of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H7N1) in experimentally infected chickens
Author
Chaves, Aida J.
Busquets, Núria
Valle, Rosa
Rivas, Raquel
Vergara-Alert, Júlia
Dolz, Roser
Ramis, Antonio
Majó, Natàlia
Publication date
2011-10-07ISSN
0928-4249
Abstract
In order to understand the mechanism of neuroinvasion of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) into
the central nervous system (CNS) of chickens, specific pathogen free chickens were inoculated with a H7N1 HPAIV.
Blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), nasal cavity and brain tissue samples were obtained from 1 to 4 days postinoculation (dpi) of infected and control chickens. Viral antigen topographical distribution, presence of influenza A
virus receptors in the brain, as well as, the role of the olfactory route in virus CNS invasion were studied using
different immunohistochemistry techniques. Besides, viral RNA load in CSF and blood was quantified by means of a
quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Viral antigen was observed widely distributed
in the CNS, showing bilateral and symmetrical distribution in the nuclei of the diencephalon, mesencephalon and
rhombencephalon. Viral RNA was detected in blood and CSF at one dpi, indicating that the virus crosses the
blood-CSF-barrier early during infection. This early dissemination is possibly favoured by the presence of Siaa2,3
Gal and Siaa2,6 Gal receptors in brain vascular endothelial cells, and Siaa2,3 Gal receptors in ependymal and
choroid plexus cells. No viral antigen was observed in olfactory sensory neurons, while the olfactory bulb showed
only weak staining, suggesting that the virus did not use this pathway to enter into the brain. The sequence of
virus appearance and the topographical distribution of this H7N1 HPAIV indicate that the viral entry occurs via the
haematogenous route, with early and generalized spreading through the CSF.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Published version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
619 - Veterinary science
Pages
12
Publisher
BMC
Is part of
Veterinary Research
Citation
Chaves, Aida J, Núria Busquets, Rosa Valle, Raquel Rivas, Júlia Vergara-Alert, Roser Dolz, Antonio Ramis, Ayub Darji, and Natàlia Majó. 2011. “Neuropathogenesis of a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (H7N1) in Experimentally Infected Chickens.” Veterinary Research 42 (1): 106. doi: 10.1186/1297-9716-42-106
Grant agreement number
EC/FP6/44098/EU/Molecular factors and mechanisms of transmission and pathogenicity of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus/EUROFLU
Program
Sanitat Animal
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- ARTICLES CIENTÍFICS [2694]
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/