RESEARCH NOTE: Exploring the Competence of Various Poultry Species for Cache Valley virus Infection

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Arbovirology
• Infectious Disease in Poultry

Background:

• Cache Valley virus (CVV), an Orthobunyavirus, causes severe disease in ruminants, including reproductive losses.
• Evidence suggests potential CVV infection in poultry due to its range, seropositivity in birds for related viruses, and isolation from bird-biting mosquitoes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of CVV as a disease-causing agent in domestic poultry species.
• To assess CVV replication and pathogenicity in chickens, ducks, and quail.

Main Methods:

• In vitro: CVV growth kinetics were evaluated in three avian cell lines (chicken DF-1, quail QNR/K2, duck PDE).
• In vivo: Three-day-old SPF-chickens and ducklings, and 14-day-old quail were experimentally infected with two CVV strains.
• Clinical signs and viral replication were monitored in all experimental groups.

Main Results:

• CVV demonstrated rapid replication and achieved high titers in all three tested avian cell lines.
• Despite viral replication in vitro, experimental infection with CVV did not induce symptomatic disease in chickens, ducklings, or quail.
• No significant clinical signs of infection were observed in any of the challenged avian species.

Conclusions:

• Domestic poultry species (chickens, ducks, quail) are unlikely to be significant reservoirs for Cache Valley virus maintenance.
• Further research involving passerine birds and mosquito transmission studies is warranted to fully assess CVV's impact on avian health.