Research Note: A recombinant duck-derived H6N2 subtype avian influenza virus can replicate and shed in young chickens and cause disease.

ABSTRACT: The H6N2 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) is commonly detected in the migratory waterfowl reservoirs. Previously, H6N2 AIV was believed to be nonpathogenic to young chickens and could not infect or shed in their respiratory tract under experimental conditions. However, in present study, a highly recombinant strain of duck-derived H6N2 AIV was discovered and isolated for pathogenicity tests. The results revealed that H6N2 could induce seroconversion in chickens and high morbidity of over 86.7%, along with evident upper respiratory tract hemorrhage. Moreover, 5 substitutions were detected in the upper respiratory tract shedding reisolated virus, with a high viral load in the target organs of infected chickens. In contrast, ducks failed to exhibit any symptoms, pathological lesions, or vir

SUBMITTER: Dong MY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10466914 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature