Avian influenza virus isolates from wild birds replicate and cause disease in a mouse model of infection

Abstract

The direct transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses to humans in Eurasia and subsequent disease has sparked research efforts leading to better understanding of HPAI virus transmission and pathogenicity in mammals. There has been minimal focus on examining the capacity of circulating low pathogenic wild bird avian influenza viruses to infect mammals. We have utilized a mouse model for influenza virus infection to examine 28 North American wild bird avian influenza virus isolates that include the hemagglutinin subtypes H2, H3, H4, H6, H7, and H11. We demonstrate that many wild bird avian influenza viruses of several different hemagglutinin types replicate in this mouse model without adaptation and induce histopathologic lesions similar to other influenza virus infections but cause minimal morbidity. These findings demonstrate the potential of wild avian influenza viruses to directly infect mice without prior adaptation and support their potential role in emergence of pandemic influenza.

Cross-Reactive Neutralizing Antibodies Directed against Pandemic H1N1 2009 Virus Are Protective in a Highly Sensitive DBA/2 Mouse Influenza Model

“…As such, it was generally believed that mice are resistant to most human and avian influenza A viruses. The current study, as well as a recent report by Driskell et al (6), provides substantial evidence to suggest that BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice are susceptible to infection with many different influenza A virus isolates (H1 to H7 and H9 to H11) even if the infection does not cause significant disease. In contrast, DBA/2 mice become sick and often succumb to infection with the majority of the tested isolates.…”

Pathogenesis, Transmissibility, and Ocular Tropism of a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H7N3) Virus Associated with Human Conjunctivitis

“…route (11,12,20,31). These studies have revealed that H7 viruses are highly infectious in mice without prior adaptation, with the capacity for systemic spread and lethal disease depending on the strain.…”

Domestic Cats Are Susceptible to Infection With Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses From Shorebirds

“…The 2 isolates used in this study were selected from a screen of 28 wild bird AIV isolates in BALB/c mice; the selected isolates exhibited robust pulmonary replication in the BALB/c mouse model in our lab. 4 Our results show that domestic cats are susceptible to infection with these shorebird AIVs, leading to infections that are asymptomatic despite development of bronchointerstitial pulmonary lesions and pharyngeal shedding in the case of one of the isolates. Our findings further support that cats are susceptible to a variety of influenza viruses and that these viruses readily replicate deep in the respiratory tract.…”

“…Select isolates were screened in a previous study in BALB/c mice. 4 Two isolates that exhibited efficient pulmonary replication and induced pulmonary lesions in BALB/c mice were selected for in vivo studies in cats. Isolates included A/Ruddy Turnstone/ DE/650625/02 (H6N4) (abbreviated RT/625) and A/Ruddy Turnstone/DE/650645/02 (H1N9) (abbreviated RT/645).…”