J Vet Sci.  2012 Dec;13(4):395-403.

Comparative study of pandemic (H1N1) 2009, swine H1N1, and avian H3N2 influenza viral infections in quails

• Thontiravong A
• Wannaratana S
• Tantilertcharoen R
• Prakairungnamthip D
• Tuanudom R
• Sasipreeyajan J
• Pakpinyo S
• Amonsin A
• Kitikoon P
• Oraveerakul K

Abstract

Quail has been proposed to be an intermediate host of influenza A viruses. However, information on the susceptibility and pathogenicity of pandemic H1N1 2009 (pH1N1) and swine influenza viruses in quails is limited. In this study, the pathogenicity, virus shedding, and transmission characteristics of pH1N1, swine H1N1 (swH1N1), and avian H3N2 (dkH3N2) influenza viruses in quails was examined. Three groups of 15 quails were inoculated with each virus and evaluated for clinical signs, virus shedding and transmission, pathological changes, and serological responses. None of the 75 inoculated (n = 45), contact exposed (n = 15), or negative control (n = 15) quails developed any clinical signs. In contrast to the low virus shedding titers observed from the swH1N1-inoculated quails, birds inoculated with dkH3N2 and pH1N1 shed relatively high titers of virus predominantly from the respiratory tract until 5 and 7 DPI, respectively, that were rarely transmitted to the contact quails. Gross and histopathological lesions were observed in the respiratory and intestinal tracts of quail inoculated with either pH1N1 or dkH3N2, indicating that these viruses were more pathogenic than swH1N1. Sero-conversions were detected 7 DPI in two out of five pH1N1-inoculated quails, three out of five quails inoculated with swH1N1, and four out of five swH1N1-infected contact birds. Taken together, this study demonstrated that quails were more susceptible to infection with pH1N1 and dkH3N2 than swH1N1.

Keyword

avian H3N2 virus; infection; pandemic H1N1 2009 virus; quail; swine H1N1 virus

MeSH Terms

Birds
Influenza A virus
Influenza, Human
Orthomyxoviridae
Pandemics
Quail
Respiratory System
Swine
Virus Shedding
Viruses

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Gross lesions in quails infected with pandemic H1N1 2009 (pH1N1; A and B) and mock-inoculated birds (C and D). (A) Lung, 7 DPI. The pH1N1-inoculated quail exhibited moderate lung congestion. (B) Duodenum loop and pancreas, 7 DPI. Moderate congestion at the duodenal serosal surface in pH1N1-inoculated quails was observed. (C) Lung and (D) duodenum loop of mock-inoculated control quails 7 DPI.

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  Fig. 2 Histopathology and immunohistochemistry findings of quails inoculated with pH1N1 and Thai duck H3N2 (dkH3N2), respectively. Photomicrographs of H&E-stained tissue sections from pH1N1-inoculated quails (A~F) and immunohistochemically stained section to detect influenza A virus (IAV) antigen 3 DPI in a quail inoculated with dkH3N2 (G and H). (A and B) Sections from quail trachea showed mild to moderate tracheitis with infiltration of inflammatory cells in the submucosa. (C and D) Sections from quail lung exhibited mild to moderate bronchitis and peribronchiolar cuffing. (E and F) Sections from quail duodenum displayed moderate duodenitis with inflammatory cells infiltration. Viral antigen (G and H) was stained red-brown on a hematoxylin-stained background and viral antigen (arrows) was observed in macrophages in the duodenum. Scale bars = 500 µm (E), 50 µm (A, C, and G), and 20 µm (B, D, F, and H).

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