Frontiers in Veterinary Science (Jul 2023)

Age is a determinant factor in the susceptibility of domestic ducks to H5 clade 2.3.2.1c and 2.3.4.4e high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses

  • Sun-Hak Lee,
  • Jiho Lee,
  • Jin-Yong Noh,
  • Jin-Yong Noh,
  • Jei-Hyun Jeong,
  • Jei-Hyun Jeong,
  • Jun-Beom Kim,
  • Jun-Beom Kim,
  • Jung-Hoon Kwon,
  • Sungsu Youk,
  • Chang-Seon Song,
  • Chang-Seon Song,
  • Dong-Hun Lee

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1207289
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) is a viral disease with devastating consequences for the poultry industry worldwide. Domestic ducks are a major source of HPAI viruses in many Eurasian countries. The infectivity and pathogenicity of HPAI viruses in ducks vary depending on host and viral factors. To assess the factors influencing the infectivity and pathogenicity of HPAI viruses in ducks, we compared the pathobiology of two HPAI viruses (H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1c and H5N6 clade 2.3.4.4e) in 5- and 25-week-old ducks. Both HPAI viruses caused mortality in a dose-dependent manner (104, 106, and 108 EID50) in young ducks. By contrast, adult ducks were infected but exhibited no mortality due to either virus. Viral excretion was higher in young ducks than in adults, regardless of the HPAI strain. These findings demonstrate the age-dependent mortality of clade 2.3.2.1c and clade 2.3.4.4e H5 HPAI viruses in ducks.

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