Susceptibility of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) to experimental West Nile virus infection.
Avian Pathol
; 51(6): 601-612, 2022 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36102057
ABSTRACT
Since the introduction of West Nile virus (WNV) to North America in 1999, WNV is estimated to have contributed to population-level declines in numerous avian species. However, the potential impacts of this virus on many free-ranging upland game bird species, including the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), which is undergoing regional population declines, remain unknown. Herein, two age groups (â¼5 to 6 weeks and â¼15 to 16 weeks post-hatch) of juvenile wild turkeys were subcutaneously inoculated with WNV, sampled daily from 1 to 7 days post-inoculation (dpi), and euthanized on 14â
dpi. No clinical signs and minimal gross lesions were attributable to WNV infection. Peak viraemia titres were similar between age groups (<101.7 to 104.6 plaque-forming units [PFU]/ml), but the duration of viraemia was longer in the old group (3-4 days) than in the young group (0-3 days). Intermittent oral and/or cloacal viral shedding from 2 to 7â
dpi was detected in both age groups. No infectious virus was detected in the heart, brain, kidney, skeletal muscle, spleen, and feathers from WNV-inoculated turkeys euthanized on 14â
dpi. All WNV-inoculated birds seroconverted by 14â
dpi, as well as two co-housed sham-inoculated birds. The most consistent microscopic lesions among all WNV-inoculated birds were mild lymphoplasmacytic myocarditis and encephalitis. Minimal immunohistochemical labelling was detected in tissues in addition to scant macrophages within the blood, spleen, and bone marrow. These data suggest WNV is unlikely to pose a significant risk to wild turkey populations, although the possibility remains that WNV may indirectly decrease fitness or predispose wild turkeys to other health stressors.RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Clinical disease was not observed in wild turkeys experimentally infected with WNV.Pathology attributed to WNV was mild and included brain and heart inflammation.Viraemias suggest WNV-infected wild turkeys do not play a role in WNV transmission.No age-associated differences in WNV clinical disease or pathology were observed.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Doenças das Aves Domésticas
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Febre do Nilo Ocidental
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Vírus do Nilo Ocidental
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Doenças das Aves
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article