Pathobiology and transmission of highly and low pathogenic avian influenza viruses in European quail (Coturnix c. coturnix)

Abstract

European quail (Coturnix c. coturnix) may share with Japanese quail (Coturnix c. japonica) its potential as an intermediate host and reservoir of avian influenza viruses (AIV). To elucidate this question, European quail were experimentally challenged with two highly pathogenic AIV (HPAIV) (H7N1/HP and H5N1/HP) and one low pathogenic AIV (LPAIV) (H7N2/LP). Contact animals were also used to assess the viral transmission among birds. Severe neurological signs and mortality rates of 67% (H7N1/HP) and 92% (H5N1/HP) were observed. Although histopathological findings were present in both HPAIV-infected groups, H5N1/HP-quail displayed a broader viral antigen distribution and extent of microscopic lesions. Neither clinical nor pathological involvement was observed in LPAIV-infected quail. Consistent long-term viral shedding and effective transmission to naive quail was demonstrated for the three studied AIV. Drinking water arose as a possible transmission route and feathers as a potential origin of HPAIV dissemination. The present study demonstrates that European quail may play a major role in AI epidemiology, highlighting the need to further understand its putative role as an intermediate host for avian/mammalian reassortant viruses.

Pathobiology of Clade 2.3.4.4 H5Nx High-Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Infections in Minor Gallinaceous Poultry Supports Early Backyard Flock Introductions in the Western United States in 2014-2015

“…Some studies suggest that certain gallinaceous species, such as ring-necked pheasants and Japanese quail, are more susceptible than chickens and turkeys to LPAI viruses from free-living aquatic birds (22,(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34). In addition, Japanese quail and European quail (Coturnix coturnix) may support the replication of almost all LPAI virus subtypes (33,35). Japanese quail are recognized as good mixing vessels for avian and mammalian viruses (28,(36)(37)(38) and facilitate the adaptation of duck AI viruses to chickens (39)(40)(41).…”

“…In contrast, chukar partridges and red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) may not be a reservoir for LPAI viruses (30,32). Yet abundant studies have proven that HPAI viruses are able to infect and cause lesions and death in many types of gallinaceous poultry under experimental conditions (22,32,33,(42)(43)(44)(45). Collectively, these findings highlight the relevance of avian species other than chickens, turkeys, and domestic ducks in the epidemiology of AI in small farming operations, village poultry, and LPM systems.…”

Transmission and immunopathology of the avian influenza virus A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9) human isolate in three commonly commercialized avian species

“…were collected and immediately stored at 70°C on RNA‐later (RNAlater ® , Invitrogen, Thermo‐Fisher Scientific, MA, USA) until used for RNA extraction. For the detection of IAV antigen by immunohistochemistry (IHC), the trachea, nasal turbinate, lung, duodenum‐pancreas, jejunum‐ileum, cecum/cecal tonsil, colon and rectum were stained with a primary antibody against the influenza A nucleoprotein (NP) as previously described (Bertran et al., ; Haines & Chelack, ). The positive control consisted of a formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded heart from a chicken experimentally infected with influenza virus.…”

Diagnosis and Control of a LPAI H5N8 Outbreak in a Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Commercial Flock in the Central Valley of California

“…The proximity of waterfowl to other poultry has long been recognized as a risk factor for the transmission of AIV (1,2,6). Ducks and other waterfowl can serve as reservoirs for LPAI viruses because they can shed the virus without showing clinical signs (6,18), and Japanese quail are highly susceptible to AI of waterfowl origin (2,14).…”

“…Therefore, open-air water sources, such as ponds, lakes, or streams, and in-site lagoons in the vicinity of poultry premises pose a potential risk to poultry, as they may attract wild waterfowl (4,6,10). Moreover, Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domestica or Anas peking) and Japanese quail (Coturnix c. japonica) are often raised together or in the vicinity of other poultry species, despite the risk that this combination represents (2,3). Ducks are able to be infected by avian influenza virus (AIV) and shed the virus subclinically for a few weeks, and quail are very receptive to AIV strains of waterfowl origin (14,18).…”