Abstract
Duck hepatitis A virus type 1 (DHAV-1) is one of the most harmful pathogens in the duck industry. The infection of adult ducks with DHAV-1 was previously shown to result in transient cytokine storms in their kidneys. To understand how DHAV-1 infection impacts the host liver, we conducted animal experiments with the virulent CH DHAV-1 strain and the attenuated CH60 commercial vaccine strain. Visual observation and standard hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed to detect pathological damage in the liver, and viral copy numbers and cytokine expression in the liver were evaluated by quantitative PCR. The CH strain (108.4 copies/mg) had higher viral titers than the CH60 strain (104.9 copies/mg) in the liver and caused ecchymotic hemorrhaging on the liver surface. Additionally, livers from ducklings inoculated with the CH strain were significantly infiltrated by numerous red blood cells, accompanied by severe cytokine storms, but similar signs were not observed in the livers of ducklings inoculated with the CH60 strain. In conclusion, the severe cytokine storm caused by the CH strain apparently induces hemorrhagic lesions in the liver, which might be a key factor in the rapid death of ducklings.
Highlights
Duck hepatitis A virus type 1 (DHAV-1) is one of the most harmful pathogens in the duck industry
We established an experimental model of infection with the virulent CH DHAV-1 strain and the attenuated CH60 commercial vaccine strain to investigate the pathogenicity of DHAV-1 and immune responses in 7-day-old ducklings
Massive hemorrhages and necrotic lesions appeared on the liver surface with virus replication of the CH strain, which is consistent with previous reports in the literature[2,19,20]
Summary
Duck hepatitis A virus type 1 (DHAV-1) is one of the most harmful pathogens in the duck industry. Duck hepatitis A virus type 1 (genus Avihepatovirus, family Picornaviridae, DHAV-1) is one of the most common and lethal pathogens in young ducklings and is responsible for acute hepatitis, characterized by petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages of the liver surface[1,2]. The liver, a major site for the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses, plays a critical role in defending against invasive pathogens[3,4]. Only one study has investigated virus-host interactions in the livers of DHAV-1-infected ducklings. In this study, we established an experimental model utilizing the virulent CH DHAV-1 strain and the attenuated CH60 commercial vaccine strain to investigate DHAV-1 pathogenicity and host immune responses in 7-day-old ducklings
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have