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Pathogenesis of avian encephalomyelitis viruses
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
The Journal of General Virology
|November 1, 1991
Summary
The Van Roekel strain of avian encephalomyelitis virus is neurotropic, unlike field and vaccine strains which are enterotropic. This difference impacts viral pathogenesis and antibody induction in chickens.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Pathogenomics
- Immunology
Background:
- Avian encephalomyelitis virus (AEV) causes significant economic losses in poultry farming.
- Understanding the pathogenesis of different AEV strains is crucial for effective disease control and vaccine development.
- Strain-specific tropism (neurotropic vs. enterotropic) influences disease presentation and transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the pathogenesis of a field strain, a vaccine strain, and the egg-adapted Van Roekel strain of AEV.
- To elucidate the differences in viral tropism, antigenicity, and host-pathogen interactions.
- To evaluate the efficiency of antibody induction and viral replication in different host systems.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for detecting virus-specific antibody and antigen.
- Radio-immunoprecipitation studies using radiolabeled purified virus to analyze viral protein composition.
- Inoculation of susceptible chicken embryos and day-old chickens.
- Primary cell culture of chicken embryo brain cells to assess viral growth.
Main Results:
- The Van Roekel strain exhibited high neurotropism, while field and vaccine strains were enterotropic.
- No significant differences in structural viral protein composition were detected among the strains.
- Field and vaccine strains were more effective in inducing antibodies after oral administration compared to the Van Roekel strain.
- Primary chicken embryo brain cell cultures supported greater growth of the Van Roekel strain.
Conclusions:
- Strain-specific tropism is a key determinant in AEV pathogenesis, influencing target organs and disease outcomes.
- Differences in pathogenesis are not attributable to variations in structural viral protein composition.
- Oral administration is more effective for inducing immunity with field and vaccine strains.
- The Van Roekel strain's neurotropism and replication in neural cells suggest distinct biological properties relevant to AEV research.