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Two avian H10 influenza A virus strains with different pathogenicity for mink (Mustela vison)
L Englund1, C Hård af Segerstad
1Department of Fur Animals, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract:
We compared two strains of avian influenza A viruses of subtype H10 by exposing mink to aerosols of A/mink/Sweden/3,900/84 (H10N4) naturally pathogenic for mink, or A/chicken/Germany/N/49, (H10N7). Lesions in the respiratory tract during the first week after infection were studied and described. Both virus strains caused inflammatory reactions in the lungs and antibody production in exposed mink but only mink/84 virus was reisolated. The lesions caused by mink/84 virus were more severe with higher area density of pneumonia, lower daily weight gain, and more virus in the tissues detected by immunohistochemistry. The results indicate that mink/84 (H10N4), but not chicken/49 virus (H10N7), established multiple cycle replication in infected cells in the mink.
Insights
The avian influenza A virus strain A/mink/Sweden/3,900/84 (H10N4) caused more severe respiratory disease in mink than A/chicken/Germany/N/49 (H10N7). Only the mink/84 strain replicated efficiently in mink.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Comparative Pathology
Background:
- Avian influenza A viruses (AIV) pose a zoonotic threat.
- Understanding AIV pathogenesis in susceptible mammals like mink is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the pathogenicity and replication of two avian influenza A virus subtype H10 strains in mink.
- To characterize the respiratory lesions induced by each strain.
Main Methods:
- Mink were experimentally infected via aerosol with either A/mink/Sweden/3,900/84 (H10N4) or A/chicken/Germany/N/49 (H10N7).
- Respiratory lesions were histopathologically assessed.
- Virus reisolation, antibody production, and viral antigen distribution via immunohistochemistry were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Both AIV strains induced lung inflammation and antibody responses in mink.
- The A/mink/Sweden/3,900/84 (H10N4) strain caused more severe pneumonia, reduced weight gain, and higher viral loads.
- Only the mink/84 strain was reisolated, indicating limited replication of the chicken/49 strain.
Conclusions:
- The A/mink/Sweden/3,900/84 (H10N4) strain is more pathogenic for mink than the A/chicken/Germany/N/49 (H10N7) strain.
- The mink/84 strain established multi-cycle replication in mink, unlike the chicken/49 strain.