Oral co-administration of live attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium expressing chicken interferon-α and interleukin-18 enhances the alleviation of clinical signs caused by respiratory infection with avian influenza virus H9N2

The combined use of cytokines has shown synergistic and/or additive effects in controlling several viral infections of livestock animals. However, little is known concerning the practical use of chicken cytokine combinations to control avian diseases. Here, we investigated the antiviral efficacy of oral co-administration of chicken interferon-α (chIFN-α) and chicken interleukin-18 (chIL-18) using attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in chickens infected with avian influenza virus (AIV) H9N2. Our results demonstrate that oral co-administration of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium expressing chIFN-α and chIL-18 produced a greater alleviation of clinical signs caused by respiratory infection with AIV H9N2 in chickens, when compared to administration of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium expressing either chIFN-α or chIL-18 alone. Mortality, clinical symptom severity, and feed and water intake were used to access treatment effectiveness. This enhancement of antiviral immunity was further confirmed by evidence of reduced rectal shedding and decreased replication of AIV H9N2 in several different tissues of challenged chickens including trachea, lung, cecal tonsil, and brain. Furthermore, oral co-administration of chIFN-α and chIL-18 more efficiently modulated the immune responses of chickens against AIV H9N2 by enhancing both humoral and Th1-biased cell-mediated immunity, compared to single administration of either construct. Therefore, our results suggest that the combined administration of two chicken cytokines, chIFN-α and chIL-18, using attenuated S. enterica serovar Typhimurium as an oral carrier, provides an effective means for controlling respiratory disease caused by AIV H9N2 infection.     

H9N2亚型禽流感病毒复制特性的基因分析

利用反向遗传技术,通过基因重排方法,以A/chicken/shanghai/F/98（H9N2）禽流感病毒（Avian influenza virus,AIV）的6个内部基因为骨架,与A/Chicken/Guangdong/SS/94（H9N2）AIV的HA和NA基因组合,产生3株H9N2亚型重排AIVs。动物试验发现A/Chicken/Shanghai/F/98（H9N2）和A/Chicken/Guangdong/SS/94（H9N2）AIV主要在呼吸系统复制,A/chicken/shanghai/F/98（H9N2）株在气管和肺组织的复制能力明显强于A/Chicken/Guangdong/SS/94（H9N2）AIV株。3株H9N2亚型重排AIVs的动物试验发现HA和NA基因对H9N2亚型AIV在呼吸道的复制特性起主要作用。内部基因对H9N2亚型AIV在呼吸道的复制也有一定的作用。结果表明1994年中国首次分离到的H9N2亚型AIV经过4年的宿主适应和基因进化,加强了其在呼吸系统的复制能力,奠定了气溶胶传播的基础。     

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.     

Zataria multiflora essential oil reduces replication rate of avian influenza virus (H9N2 subtype) in challenged broiler chicks

1. The effect of Zataria multiflora essential oil on replication rate of the H9N2 virus in target organs was determined by real-time PCR. One-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into six groups and were challenged with H9N2 influenza. Two groups received either 20 or 40 µl/kg body weight/day Zataria multiflora essential oils (ZM) seven days before the challenge while two other groups received the essential oil at the same dosage but after H9N2 challenge. One group received 4 mg/kg body weight/day of the anti-viral compound amantadine after challenge and the last group received no treatment and served as the control.

2. Groups that received the ZM, before or after H9N2 challenge, and the amantadine treated group showed reduced viral replication in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts compared to the control. Supplementation with ZM improved weight gain and FCR in broilers in comparison with the control.

3. The results showed that ZM had a positive effect on reducing viral replication in both the intestine and trachea of H9N2 influenza infected broiler chickens, that led to milder clinical symptoms and better performance.     

禽副粘病毒2型对SPF鸡免疫功能的影响

7日龄 SPF鸡经滴鼻、点眼感染 PMV- 2 ,可引起轻微的呼吸道症状 ,病理组织学观察可见气管黏液分泌亢进和轻微的淋巴细胞浸润 ;感染 PMV- 2后的 1天 ,2天 ,3天… 11天 ,定位采取气管、肺、肝、脾、肾、心、大脑、法氏囊、盲肠扁桃体等组织 ,检查病毒的分布规律 ,结果表明 ,PMV- 2在法氏囊、气管、肺、胸腺、脾、肾、大脑中均有分布 ;SPF雏鸡感染 PMV - 2后 ,接种鸡新城疫克隆 30疫苗 ,免疫后 5 - 30天 ,每 5天 1次检测血清中 ND的 HI抗体效价 ,结果表明 ,PMV- 2感染组比对照组的 HI抗体效价平均低 2 log2 ,统计结果显示差异极显著。雏鸡感染 PMV - 2后对新城疫疫苗的免疫应答有影响 ,从而可能抑制机体的免疫功能 ,危害养鸡生产。     

不同来源传染性支气管炎病毒诱导SPF鸡发病的免疫机制研究

试验旨在探讨不同来源的传染性支气管炎病毒(Infectious bronchitis virus,IBV)诱导SPF鸡发病的免疫机制。选用140只1日龄SPF白来航鸡,随机分为4组,3组攻毒组通过滴鼻点眼途径分别接种鸡源IBV强毒株、鸡源IBV弱毒株和野鸡源IBV毒株3个毒株,对照组以同种方式接种等量灭菌的磷酸盐缓冲液。在感染后12 h、36 h、72 h、7 d和14 d,每组随机选取5只进行剖检,并分别采集法氏囊、肾脏和气管组织,剩余鸡用于观察临床症状、发病及死亡情况。应用实时荧光定量PCR检测攻毒后不同时间点采集的各组织中IBV的病毒载量、Toll样受体(Toll-like receptors,TLRs)及部分细胞因子(白细胞介素(interleukin,IL)和干扰素(interferon,IFN))表达量的变化。结果显示,感染不同来源IBV毒株之后仅鸡源IBV强毒株感染组SPF鸡出现抑郁、翅膀下垂、甩头等典型的临床症状,且在感染后5~10 d共有7只死亡,死亡率为20%。病理剖检发现,感染鸡源IBV强毒株的鸡肾脏肿大、尿酸盐沉积和有花斑样病变,而感染野鸡源IBV毒株、鸡源IBV弱毒株和对照组的鸡无明显的眼观病变。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,在鸡源IBV强毒株组的法氏囊、肾脏和气管3个组织中均检测到病毒。对照组和野鸡源IBV毒株组中均未检测到病毒,鸡源IBV弱毒株组只在部分组织中检测到病毒。在感染后72 h,鸡源IBV强毒株组与其他各组相比,TLR1、TLR2、TLR3、TLR5、TLR7和TLR15基因在法氏囊中的表达量均显著升高(P<0.05),IL-6和IFN-β参与更强烈的抗病毒免疫反应;在感染后7 d,鸡源IBV弱毒株组与其他各组相比,肾脏中TLR2、TLR3、TLR15、TLR21、IL-6和IL-18基因表达量均显著升高(P<0.05)。野鸡源IBV感染后36 h法氏囊组织中IFN-γ基因表达量显著上调(P<0.05)。综上所述,3个IBV毒株中仅鸡源IBV强毒感染引起SPF鸡典型临床发病症状与可视组织病变,且可提高SPF鸡组织中免疫相关因子的基因表达量。本研究结果揭示,不同来源的IBV对SPF鸡的不同致病性与其感染诱导的免疫反应不同有关。     

H5N1亚型禽流感病毒感染海兰白鸡模型的建立

为建立H5N1亚型禽流感病毒感染海兰白鸡模型,本研究选取1株鹅源H5N1高致病性禽流感病毒A/goose/guangdong/1/96(H5N1)(简称GD1/96),测定其对4周龄海兰白鸡的半数致死量.感染模型试验中,将30只4周龄海兰白鸡随机分成3组,每组10只,5只直接感染,5只同居,试验组设置一个重复,将病毒液稀释至10^4.5EID₅₀,滴鼻、点眼各0.1 mL,对照组接种PBS,感染后24 h放入同居鸡;感染后连续观察14 d,记录死亡时间,每天采集咽喉拭子和泄殖腔拭子;感染组和同居组第3、5 天各剖解3只鸡,采集气管、肺脏、脑、脾脏、肾脏和十二指肠,进行病毒分离;qRT-PCR法分析感染组和同居组第3、5 天鸡肺组织中IFN-α和TNF-α的相对表达量.结果显示,GD1/96株的鸡胚半数感染量(EID₅₀)为10^-8.167/0.1 mL,对4周龄海兰白鸡的半数致死量为10^4.5 EID₅₀.感染模型试验结果显示,以10^4.5EID₅₀的攻毒剂量感染海兰白鸡,感染组鸡在感染后8 d全部死亡;在感染和同居3 d后,各组鸡的咽喉拭子和泄殖腔拭子均可检测到病毒;感染和同居后第3、5 天,各组鸡的6种组织中均可分离到高滴度的病毒;IFN-α和TNF-α在感染组和同居组的鸡肺脏组织中的表达量均显著增加(P <0.05).本试验建立了海兰白鸡的H5N1亚型禽流感病毒感染模型,为H5N1亚型禽流感病毒的致病机理及表达抗流感基因转基因鸡的研究奠定了基础.     

Comparative pathobiology of low and high pathogenicity H7N3 Chilean avian influenza viruses in chickens

Chickens were intranasally inoculated with Chilean H7N3 avian influenza (AI) viruses of low pathogenicity (LP) (H7N3/LP), high pathogenicity (HP) (H7N3/HP), and a laboratory derivative (02-AI-15-#9) (H7N3/14D) from the LPAI virus to determine pathobiologic effects. All chickens inoculated with H7N3/HP AI virus became infected and abruptly died 2 or 3 days postinoculation, but a few showed moderate depression before death. The H7N3/HP AI virus produced focal hemorrhages of the comb, petechial hemorrhage at the esophageal-proventricular junction and proventricular mucosa, edema and congestion of the lung, petechiation of the spleen, and generalized decrease in body fat. Histologically, severe necrosis, hemorrhage, and inflammation were primarily identified in lungs and the lymphoid tissues. All tissues sampled from the H7N3/HP AI group were positive for the AI viral antigen, predominantly in endothelium of blood vessels throughout most tissues and less frequently in histiocytes and cellular debris of lymphoid tissues. Even less consistently, cardiac myocytes, hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, glandular epithelial cells, microglial cells, and neurons became infected. These studies suggest the Chilean H7N3/LP AI virus was poorly infectious for chickens and may have been recently introduced from a nongalliform host. By contrast, the H7N3/HP AI virus was highly infectious and lethal for chickens. The H7N3/HP AI virus had a strong tropism for the cardiovascular system, principally vascular endothelium, which is similar to the viral tropism demonstrated previously with other H5 and H7 HPAI viruses. Interestingly, the H7N3/LP AI virus on intravenous inoculation replicated in cardiac myocytes, a feature of HPAI and not LPAI viruses, which further supports the theory that the H7N3/LP AI virus was in transition from LP to HP.     

鸡感染传染性支气管炎病毒后脏器内病毒动态分布研究

对IBV在鸡器官内动态分布进行了初步研究。分别用IBV T株、M41、H52、H120、上海野毒(Sh1、Sh2、Sh3)对7个试验组的鸡攻毒,分别用AIV、NDV以及IBDV对3个对照组鸡攻毒,然后定期剖杀采样,并用套式RT-PCR方法进行检测。结果为攻毒后第3天和第7天,7个IBV攻毒组的肾脏、气管、肝脏、肺脏和扁桃体中均检测到IBV;第14天,H52组、H120组肝脏、扁桃体IBV检测阴性,其余脏器均为阳性,其他组5个脏器均为阳性;第21天,M41组、H52组、H120组肾脏、肝脏、扁桃体检测阴性,其余为阳性,其他组5个脏器全为阳性;第28天,M41组、T组、H52组、H120组、Sh1组肾脏、肝脏、扁桃体以及T组的肝脏和扁桃体为阴性,其余脏器为阳性,其他组5个脏器仍为阳性;35 d后,各实验组各脏器均为阴性。整个试验阶段,对照组的IBV检测均为阴性。由此可见,IBV不同毒株组织嗜性存在明显差异,导致IBV各毒株在感染鸡体内的分布和消长规律存在着差异。这为阐明IBV致病机理提供了必要的试验依据。     

H9N2亚型禽流感病毒HA蛋白S145N变异株致病性及抗原特性

为确定近年来H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(AIV) HA蛋白S145N点突变对病毒毒力变化和抗原性变异的影响,笔者对从全国不同地区分离的12株H9N2亚型AIV HA蛋白S145N变异株和HP疫苗参考株进行了半数鸡胚感染量(EID50)、半数鸡胚致死量(ELD50)、平均鸡胚致死时间(MDT)、雏鸡脑内致病指数(ICPI)、鸡静脉致病指数(IVPI)和8周龄SPF鸡感染排毒试验,并与抗H9N2亚型AIV HP参考株HA蛋白单抗2A4和F6的血凝抑制(HI)和中和反应特性进行测定.结果发现,H9N2亚型AIV HA蛋白S145N变异株毒力偏强,能引起部分SPF鸡发病和死亡,感染8周龄SPF鸡排毒时间更早,排毒期更长.单抗2A4和F6不能抑制H9N2亚型AIV HA蛋白S145N变异株的血凝特性,也不能中和病毒感染CEF细胞.研究结果表明,H9N2亚型AIV呈现变异趋势,有毒力增强和抗原性变异毒株出现.S145为H9N2亚型AIV HA蛋白的1个抗原位点,是血凝抑制抗体结合的位点,但有该位点漂变导致抗原变异毒株出现,并可逃避免疫作用.这提示该病的防控面临着新的挑战.     

用PCR对鸡毒支原体感染的检测

应用已建立的检测 MG和 MS的 PCR方法 ,对人工接种鸡毒支原体后 2～ 2 0 d的 SPF鸡气管棉拭样品和气管、肺、肝、脾、胸肌、腿肌等器官和组织进行了检测 ;对现场采集的样品同样作 PCR检测。结果表明 ,上述人工样品均检测到病原 ,以气管棉拭样品检出最多 ;现场样品PCR的阳性检出率为 1 0 .2 8% ,分离培养的阳性率为 2 .8% ,敏感性前者高于后者。     

A latex agglutination test for the rapid detection of avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 and its clinical application.

A rapid and simple latex agglutination test (LAT) for the detection of avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H5N1 in chicken allantoic fluids, tracheal swabs, and tissues was developed. Monoclonal antibodies against the hemagglutinin glycoprotein of H5N1 were covalently coupled onto the surface of carboxylated latex bead using a water-soluble carbodiimide to obtain sensitized latex particles (SLP). These SLPs strongly agglutinated in the presence of allantoic fluid containing H5N1, but not fluids containing other AIV sub-types such as HIN1, H3N2, H4N6, and H9N2. Using this LAT, the virus was detectable in tracheal swabs 24 hours to 30 days after inoculating chickens with H5N1, with detection rates ranging from 45.5 to 79.2%. Much higher rates of detection were obtained from tissues collected postmortem from H5N1 experimentally infected chickens; lung tissue yielded the highest detection rate (96.7%), followed by kidney, spleen, brain, and liver tissues (90%). Lower detection rates were achieved with heart (41.7%) and cloacal tissues (26.8%). When the LAT was compared with other detection methods, the agreement with the viral isolation, H5 antigen immunochromatographic test,and H5 real-time RT-PCR test was 93.97, 95.18, and 87.95%, respectively. The test was highly specific for H5N1 in chickens and water fowls and had sensitivity comparable to other diagnostic tests evaluated.     

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒的快速检测

本试验建立了一种快速检测鸡传染性支气管炎病毒的通用性PCR方法。通过对纯化后IBV核蛋白基因进行的直接PCR及套式PCR扩增表明，两次PCR产物的大小为0.7kb和0.5kb，与实际设计相符。而对照的NDV主IBDV的PCR扩增产物均为阴性。用IBV HB（华北）株感染SPF鸡后，应用我们所建立的PCR方法去检测不同时期所采集的肾脏、气管、盲肠扁桃体、肺脏和肝脏中的IBV，在SPF鸡感染IBV后的21天仍然能够检测到IBV的基因组，Southern blot杂交试验证明了我们获得的PCR产物为IBV的核蛋白基因。对30份自然感染病料的检测表明，本实验所建立的PCR方法检测阳性数为15份，阳性率为50％（15／30）；鸡胚接种检测的阳性数为17份，阳性率为56．7％（17／30）；IFA检测的阳性数11 ，阳性率为36．7％（11／30）。PVR检测法与鸡胚接种方法的阳性符合率为93．3％（14／15），统计学分析表明，P＞0．05，差异不显著，而PCR检测法与IFA的阳性符合率为60％（9／15）。结果证明本实验所建立的PCR检测方法具有敏感、特异、快速等特点，适用于不同来源及不同血清型IBV的检测。     

支气管炎型H9亚型禽流感病毒的分离与鉴定

广东省某鸡场发生一起以严重呼吸困难、急性死亡为特征的病例,5000只鸡在1周内连续死亡400多只。通过病理剖检,几乎所有病死鸡支气管都充满干酪样物质,导致支气管严重阻塞,气管及支气管黏膜严重出血。采集病死鸡的肝脏、脾、肺和气管干酪样物质,病料经处理后通过SPF鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜接种获得一株病毒。通过琼脂凝胶免疫扩散(AGP)试验,该病毒能与禽流感标准阳性血清形成明显沉淀线,初步确定该病毒为禽流感病毒;通过血凝HA试验,该病毒能够凝集鸡红细胞,但此血凝现象不能被抗NDV血清、抗EDSV-76血清、抗H 5亚型流感单因子血清、抗H 7亚型流感单因子血清所抑制,而能被抗H 9亚型禽流感单因子血清所抑制,以及通过H 9亚型流感病毒的RT-PCR分子生物学诊断方法,最终确诊该病毒为H 9亚型禽流感病毒。动物回归试验,攻毒鸡表现与临床发病鸡一致的症状及典型病理变化,患鸡支气管被干酷样物严重阻塞,气管、支气管黏膜较严重出血,通过病料的病毒分离与鉴定,能再次分离到该病毒。     

高抗体水平下H9N2亚型禽流感病毒对鸭的致病性

将60只种鸭免疫接种H9N2灭活疫苗,在高抗体水平下,通过点眼、滴鼻、气管注射3种接种途径人工感染300日龄种鸭,观察种鸭的发病情况、症状及剖检变化;于感染后3、6、9d采血进行血液生化指标检测;利用建立的RT-PCR方法检测各试验组和对照组的带毒情况;采集输卵管、肝脏、肺脏和气管等组织固定、切片、HE染色,观察各器官病理组织学变化;利用建立的IFA方法对H9N2在种鸭体内的分布进行研究。结果显示,3组接种H9N2亚型禽流感后,引起种鸭采食下降、流泪、排白色稀便等症状;总蛋白（TP）、谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷草转氨酶（AST）和碱性磷酸酶（AKP）的含量发生了显著变化;病理组织学变化以肝脏颗粒变性和空泡变性,肺脏广泛性出血和炎性细胞浸润,输卵管纤维蛋白渗出为特征;IFA阳性信号主要分布于气管、输卵管、肺脏、肝脏和胰腺等处;对照组精神状态良好,各项生理指标趋于正常,IFA未检测到阳性信号。结果表明,在高抗体水平下,H9N2亚型禽流感病毒也可通过眼结膜、鼻腔黏膜、气管黏膜等侵入机体导致鸭的发病。     

Epidemiology, pathology, and immunohistochemistry of layer hens naturally affected with H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in Japan

Epidemiology, pathology, and immunohistochemistry were investigated in layer hens affected with H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, which occurred for the first time in 79 years in Japan. The farm, which had a total of 34,640 chickens, experienced up to 43.3% mortality before the chickens were depopulated. Clinically, the affected chickens exhibited mortality without apparent clinical signs. Histologically, hepatocytic necrosis; necrosis of ellipsoids and follicles with fibrin in the spleen; necrosis with glial nodules in the brain stem, cerebrum, and cerebellum; necrosis of acinar cells in the pancreas; and necrosis of lymphoid tissues in intestinal lamina propria were seen. Occasionally, mild bronchiolitis, degeneration of smooth muscle fibers in the cecum, and mild tubulonephrosis were noted. Immunohistochemically, influenza virus antigens were detected often in the liver and spleen, heart, intestine, gizzard, proventriculus, and oviduct. In addition, antigens were seen also in the brain, kidney, pancreas, and ovary, but seldom in the lung and trachea. Virus antigen was mainly detected in the capillary endothelium and parenchymal cells. This suggests that virus excretion from the respiratory tract was not as prevalent as that from the digestive tract in the present cases.