Fasciola hepatica infection in farmed emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

Objective To describe two cases of infection with Fasciola hepatica i n young farmed emus, subacute and chronic fasci-olosis and a response to treatment of the flock with albenda-zole.
Procedure Gross lesions were found at necropsy and hepatic lesions in microscopic examination. The parasite recovered from one emu was identified by its morphological characteristics and an egg count reduction test was carried out after treatment of the flock with albendazole.
Results Hepatic lesions resembling subacute and chronic fasciolosis of ruminants were identified. An adult fluke was recovered from the liver of one of the birds and was identified as F hepatica . The eggs of the fluke were irregular in shape and size. No fluke eggs were identifiable in faeces of live emus 10 days after treatment of the flock with albendazole at a dose of 10 mg/kg.
Conclusions This is the first reported case of infection with F hepatica i n farmed emus and the first report of the occurrence of Fasciola infection is the class Aves. The irregular shape and size of the eggs may be attributable to infection of an aberrant host. Treatment with albendazole eliminated eggs from the faeces of the flock.     

The electrocardiogram of anesthetized captive adult emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

ObjectiveTo characterize the electrocardiogram (ECG) of anesthetized adult emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae).AnimalsTen clinically healthy adult emus anesthetised for routine physical examination and an electrocardiogram, for both monitoring and investigation into any evidence of cardiac disease.MethodsThe ECGs for each emu were obtained in right lateral recumbency, using a modified electrode placement that replicated the standard bipolar leads used in small mammals. Lead II was used for waveform analysis.ResultsMedian P wave amplitude was 0.55 mV (range: 0.2–0.92 mV) and P wave duration was 0.06 s (0.04–0.09 s). S wave amplitude measured 1.42 mV (0.92–2.12 mV), T wave amplitude 0.67 mV (0.16–0.83 mV) and QRS duration was 0.07 s (0.07–0.12 s). Ninety percent of the QRS complexes were of rS type.ConclusionOur study provides electrocardiographic baseline data for anesthetized adult emus.     

Isolation of avian influenza virus (H10N7) from an emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) with conjunctivitis and respiratory disease

Avian influenza virus was isolated from the conjunctiva of a male emu chick. Clinical observations included ocular discharge, dyspnea, and mild respiratory signs. Lesions included conjunctivitis, tracheitis, bronchopneumonia, and airsacculitis. Escherichia coli was isolated from the conjunctiva and the sinus, and Staphylococcus sp. was isolated from the conjunctiva. Influenza A viral nucleoprotein was detected immunohistochemically in epithelial cells of the bronchi, lung parenchyma and tracheal mucosa, and mononuclear inflammatory cells within the exudate of the bronchial lumen; conjunctiva, air sacs, kidney, intestine, and liver were negative for the viral nucleoprotein. The isolated influenza virus was typed as H10N7 and was determined to be nonpathogenic for chickens.     

Eastern equine encephalitis in a flock of emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae).

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) was diagnosed in a flock of emus in southeastern Louisiana. The outbreak involved juvenile and adult breeders ranging in age from 20 to 36 months, with an attack rate of 76% and a case fatality rate of 87%. The diagnosis was confirmed by isolation and characterization of the viral agent, and by detection of EEE antibody in two recovered emus. High mortality was preceded by marked depression, hemorrhagic diarrhea, and emesis of blood-stained ingesta. On postmortem examination, hemorrhagic enteritis and multiple petechia of viscera were observed. Microscopic changes included severe necrosis of hepatocytes, intestinal mucosa, and necrotizing vasculitis of the spleen and lamina propria of the intestine. No nervous system lesions were observed. This outbreak occurred concurrently with EEE in horses and was attributed to unseasonably heavy rainfall with an abundance of arthropod vectors and proximity to free-living reservoir host species.     

Age-related changes in plasma biochemical values of farmed emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

SUMMARY Blood samples were collected from 40 emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) of 4 different age groups ranging from 1 week to 14 months. Plasma values of glucose, cholesterol, uric acid, total protein, albumin, creatine kinase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were measured. Fourteen-month-old birds had lower plasma glucose values and enzyme activities and higher plasma protein values than younger birds. One-week-old birds had higher cholesterol and uric acid values than other age groups. Plasma calcium, phosphorus and magnesium values did not differ across the age profiles sampled.     

Day length affects feeding behaviour and food intake in adult male emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

1. In south-western Australia, male and female emus decrease their food intake when they start breeding in early winter and increase their intake during spring and summer when the breeding season and egg incubation are finished. 2. This annual feeding cycle seems to be under the influence of several environmental factors. Here, we tested the importance of photoperiod using male emus kept in light-controlled rooms with ad libitum access to food and water. 3. Long days increased food intake whereas short days decreased it. Emus fed only during the light hours. 4. Frequency of meals was similar under the 2-day lengths but meal duration was shorter when the emus were on short days than when they were on long days. Thus, day length seemed to affect appetite but not interest in food. 5. Further investigations are needed to test whether these changes in feeding behaviour are a direct consequence of day length or if they are secondary to photoperiod-driven changes in sexual activity.     

Intravenous pharmacokinetics of penicillin G and antipyrine in ostriches (Struthio camelus) and emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae).

Penicillin G and antipyrine, which served as model drugs to assess the relative capacities of renal and hepatic elimination pathways, respectively, were each administered intravenously to six ostriches (Struthio camelus) and to six emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae). Drug concentrations in blood samples collected over a period of 12 hr after administration were assayed, and elimination half-life, mean residence time, clearance, and steady-state volume of distribution were calculated. Mean values for elimination half-life and mean residence time of penicillin G were significantly higher in emus than in ostriches; no significant differences in antipyrine pharmacokinetics between species were demonstrated.     

H9N2亚型禽流感病毒感染TC-1细胞诱导的免疫反应

为了更好地了解宿主对禽流感病毒(AIV)感染后的免疫反应,本试验以TC-1细胞为模型,感染H9N2亚型AIV。通过荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)和酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)方法检测了3种模式识别受体(TLR-3、RIG-I和MDA-5)和5种炎性细胞因子(IL-6、RANTES、IP-10、TNF-α和IFN-β)。结果显示:3种模式识别受体中MDA-5上调最为明显,5种炎性因子中RANTES和IP-10上调最为明显;而IL-6、TNF-α和IFN-β上调相对较平缓。本研究结果表明:在病毒感染过程中MDA-5反应较TLR-3和RIG-I更为强烈,而在炎性反应过程中RANTES和IP-10反应更加剧烈,IL-6、TNF-α和IFN-β反应则相对较温和一些。本研究在一定程度上反映了机体对流感病毒的免疫反应机制,为在生产中疫苗的使用具有一定的指导意义。     

Isolation of avian influenza virus (H9N2) from emu in China

This is the first reported isolation of avian influenza virus (AIV) from emu in China. An outbreak of AIV infection occurred at an emu farm that housed 40 four-month-old birds. Various degrees of haemorrhage were discovered in the tissues of affected emus. Cell degeneration and necrosis were observed microscopically. Electron microscopy revealed round or oval virions with a diameter of 80 nm to 120 nm, surrounded by an envelope with spikes. The virus was classified as low pathogenic AIV (LPAIV), according to OIE standards. It was named A/Emu/HeNen/14/2004(H9N2)(Emu/HN/2004). The HA gene (1683bp) was amplified by RT-PCR and it was compared with other animal H9N2 AIV sequences in GenBank, the US National Institutes of Health genetic sequence database. The results suggested that Emu/HN/2004 may have come from an avian influenza virus (H9N2) from Southern China.     

Pathogenesis and transmissibility of highly (H7N1) and low (H7N9) pathogenic avian influenza virus infection in red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa)

ABSTRACT: An experimental infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) and low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) was carried out in red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) in order to study clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions, and viral distribution in tissues and viral shedding. Birds were infected with a HPAIV subtype H7N1 (A/Chicken/Italy/5093/1999) and a LPAIV subtype H7N9 (A/Anas crecca/Spain/1460/2008). Uninoculated birds were included as contacts in both groups. In HPAIV infected birds, the first clinical signs were observed at 3 dpi, and mortality started at 4 dpi, reaching 100% at 8 dpi. The presence of viral antigen in tissues and viral shedding were confirmed by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real time RT-PCR (qRRT-PCR), respectively, in all birds infected with HPAIV. However, neither clinical signs nor histopathological findings were observed in LPAIV infected partridges. In addition, only short-term viral shedding together with seroconversion was detected in some LPAIV inoculated animals. The present study demonstrates that the red-legged partridge is highly susceptible to the H7N1 HPAIV strain, causing severe disease, mortality and abundant viral shedding and thus contributing to the spread of a potential local outbreak of this virus. In contrast, our results concerning H7N9 LPAIV suggest that the red-legged partridge is not a reservoir species for this virus.     

Different infection routes of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in mice

The continuing outbreaks of avian influenza A H5N1 virus infection in Asia and Africa have caused worldwide concern because of the high mortality rates in poultry, suggesting its potential to become a pandemic influenza virus in humans. The transmission route of the virus among either the same species or different species is not yet clear. Broilers and BABL/c mice were inoculated with the H5N1 strain of influenza A virus isolated from birds. The animals were inoculated with 0.1 mL 10^6.83 TCID₅₀ of H5N1 virus oronasally, intraperitoneally and using eye drops. The viruses were examined by virological and pathological assays. In addition, to detect horizontal transmission, in each group, healthy chicks and mice were mixed with those infected. Viruses were detected in homogenates of the heart, liver, spleen, kidney and blood of the infected mice and chickens. Virus antigen was not detected in the spleen, kidney or gastrointestinal tract, but detected by Plaque Forming Unit (PFU) assay in the brain, liver and lung without degenerative change in these organs (in the group inoculated using eye drops. The detection results for mice inoculated using eye drops suggest that this virus might have a different tissue tropism from other influenza viruses mainly restricted to the respiratory tract in mice. All chicken samples tested positive for the virus, regardless of the method of inoculation. Avian influenza A H5N1 viruses are highly pathogenic to chickens, but its virulence in other animals is not yet known. To sum up, the results suggest that the virus replicates not only in different animal species but also through different routes of infection. In addition, the virus was detection not only in the respiratory tract but also in multiple extra‐respiratory tissues. This study demonstrates that H5N1 virus infection in mice can cause systemic disease and spread through potentially novel routes within and between mammalian hosts.     

H9N2亚型禽流感病毒对樱桃谷肉鸭的致病性

为了研究H9N2亚型禽流感病毒（AIV）对樱桃谷肉鸭的致病性。本试验利用1株鸭源H9N2亚型AIV分别通过静脉注射和鼻内接种途径感染2周龄健康樱桃谷肉鸭,观察感染鸭的症状、排毒规律及组织学变化,流式细胞术分析外周血CD4^＋和CD8^＋T细胞变化规律,实时荧光定量（RT-qPCR）检测脾脏中细胞因子的表达水平,并测定血清HI抗体效价。结果显示,攻毒后,静脉注射组鸭出现体质量增长显著缓慢、呼吸道症状以及全身性感染,而鼻内接种组鸭无明显临床症状,仅发生局部感染;两攻毒组鸭泄殖腔较气管排毒量高且排毒时间长;外周血CD8^＋T细胞显著升高,并且脾脏IFNA、IFNB、IFNG和IL2表达水平上调,IL1B和IL6表达水平仅在静脉注射组上调;血清HI抗体水平低且维持时间短。结果表明,在实验室条件下,H9N2亚型AIV对樱桃谷肉鸭致病力较弱,仅静脉接种组引起鸭体质量增长缓慢及呼吸系统出血、淋巴细胞浸润。     

H9N2型禽流感病毒不同传播方式的分子机制

H 9N 2亚型禽流感病毒属正黏病毒科流感病毒属A型流感病毒。虽表现低致病性,但由于传播广泛、能造成免疫抑制并使宿主易发生继发感染,其危害不容忽视[1]。反向遗传技术是近几年快速发展的一项新方法,是根据病毒基因组及其复制的特点,建立操作系统,从克隆的cDNA产生病毒的过程[2     

1株H9N2亚型重组禽流感病毒的生物学特性

为研制高效特异的H9N2亚型AI疫苗,试验对利用反向基因操作技术构建的1株表面基因由A/chicken/Shanghai/10/01(H9N2)(简称SH10)提供、内部基因由12质粒系统提供的重组病毒SH/PR8的生物学特性进行了研究.结果表明,与亲本毒相比重组病毒的毒力有所下降,重组病毒在鸡胚上生长的适应性能更好,更适于作为新型疫苗株使用.     

Pathogenicity of an avian influenza virus serotype H9N2 in chickens

A low pathogenic avian influenza virus (AIV) serotype H9N2 affected many commercial flocks in the Middle East in late 1990s and early 2000s. Due to the varying pathogenicity ofAIV H9N2 reported in previous studies, this study was carried out to determine the pathogenicity of a Jordanian isolate of H9N2 in broiler and specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. Mild tracheal rales were observed in the broilers but not in the SPF birds starting 3 days postinfection (DPI) and until the end of the experiment at 16 DPI. Infected chickens had gross and histologic changes limited to the respiratory system (sinuses, trachea, lungs, and air sacs) characterized by congestion and lymphoplasmacytic inflammation. However, the lesions in the broiler chickens were more severe than those in the SPF chicks. Furthermore, the virus caused significant (P = 0.004) reduction (230 g) in average body weight of the infected broiler group compared with the uninfected broiler group. Both broiler and SPF-infected groups seroconverted, and they had a geometric mean titer of 2(8.2) and 2(9.3), respectively, on the hemagglutination inhibition test at 16 DPI. Cloacal virus shedding was not detected by 9 DPI and 15 DPI in broiler and SPF-infected groups, respectively. This study demonstrated the pathogenic nature of the local Jordanian H9N2 isolate and the variation from what it has been reported in other countries of the region. Regional effort should be directed to start an eradication program of this disease because of its pathogenicity for chickens, wide distribution, and possible interference with surveillance for H5N1 serotype.     

H9N2亚型禽流感病毒流行病学及其疫苗的研究进展

禽流感(avian influenza AI)是由A型流感病毒引起的一种高度接触性传染病。H9N2是A型流感病毒的1个亚型,其谱系复杂,流行范围广,已经成为我国AI的主要亚型。尽管我国自1998年就开始进行H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)的防疫,但目前其疫苗株与流行株的抗原性已经出现了较大的差异。带毒野禽的迁徙不仅使H9N2AIV防控难度加大,而且使AI的流行不断复杂化;活禽交易市场为AIV重排以及跨种传播提供了有利的条件。此外,H9N2AIV感染谱在不断扩大,不仅感染哺乳动物,甚至已经感染了人群;因此,有必要重新认识H9N2AIV的兽医学和公共卫生学意义。现就H9N2AIV近年在我国的流行情况及其疫苗的研究进展作一综述。     

H9N2亚型禽流感流行株灭活疫苗种毒的筛选

为筛选出具有良好免疫原性的禽流感病毒(AIV)H9N2亚型灭活流行株种毒,选择2008年中国大陆8个省份15株H9N2亚型AIV分离株进行抗原性分析,选取代表流行株进行鉴定并制备灭活疫苗,进行免疫效力评估。实验结果显示,2008年分离株之间抗原性比较接近,与2000年前分离株的抗原性相差较大;2008年分离的8株病毒HA基因核苷酸同源率在93.2%～98.6%之间,而CK/SH/10/01毒株与这8株病毒的同源率仅在91.9%～93.5%之间;CK/ZJ/17/08、CK/SD/2CZ/08、DK/FJ/560/08、CK/FJ/521/08、CK/HuN/174/08和CK/HuN/33/08候选株病毒在SPF鸡胚上连续传15代HA价及致病性等均未改变,SPF鸡鼻腔感染106EID50各毒株后均无任何症状和死亡出现;候选株灭活疫苗免疫SPF鸡3周时,产生针对疫苗株抗原检测的HI抗体介于10.35log2～11.811log2,以106EID50剂量鼻腔感染途径攻毒后,只有CK/HuN/174/08和CK/HuN/33/08株灭活疫苗免疫鸡不仅可以对同源毒株的攻击提供良好的免疫保护,而且对2008年分离的异源毒株的攻击也能提供比较理想的免疫保护,可作为适合我国大部分地区应用的H9N2亚型禽流感灭活疫苗种毒株。     

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

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.     

Experimental infection of hamsters with avian paramyxovirus serotypes 1 to 9

ABSTRACT: Avian paramyxoviruses (APMVs) are frequently isolated from domestic and wild birds throughout the world and are separated into nine serotypes (APMV-1 to -9). Only in the case of APMV-1, the infection of non-avian species has been investigated. The APMVs presently are being considered as human vaccine vectors. In this study, we evaluated the replication and pathogenicity of all nine APMV serotypes in hamsters. The hamsters were inoculated intranasally with each virus and monitored for clinical disease, pathology, histopathology, virus replication, and seroconversion. On the basis of one or more of these criteria, each of the APMV serotypes was found to replicate in hamsters. The APMVs produced mild or inapparent clinical signs in hamsters except for APMV-9, which produced moderate disease. Gross lesions were observed over the pulmonary surface of hamsters infected with APMV-2 & -3, which showed petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages, respectively. Replication of all of the APMVs except APMV-5 was confirmed in the nasal turbinates and lungs, indicating a tropism for the respiratory tract. Histologically, the infection resulted in lung lesions consistent with bronchointerstitial pneumonia of varying severity and nasal turbinates with blunting or loss of cilia of the epithelium lining the nasal septa. The majority of APMV-infected hamsters exhibited transient histological lesions that self resolved by 14 days post infection (dpi). All of the hamsters infected with the APMVs produced serotype-specific HI or neutralizing antibodies, confirming virus replication. Taken together, these results demonstrate that all nine known APMV serotypes are capable of replicating in hamsters with minimal disease and pathology.