BioOne.org will be down briefly for maintenance on 17 December 2024 between 18:00-22:00 Pacific Time US. We apologize for any inconvenience.
How to translate text using browser tools
26 August 2021 Pathogenesis of Avian Influenza Virus Subtype H9N2 in Turkeys and Evaluation of Inactivated Vaccine Efficacy
Siham Fellahi, Saadia Nassik, Imane Maaroufi, Nour-Said Tligui, Charifa Drissi Touzani, Taoufik Rawi, Andrea Delvecchio, Mariette F. Ducatez, Mohamed EL Houadfi
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Avian influenza H9N2 viruses circulate in all types of poultry species, including turkeys, and cause significant losses for the poultry industry in many parts of the word. The aim of this study was to assess the pathogenesis of the Moroccan avian influenza virus (AIV) H9N2 under experimental conditions in turkeys and the protection efficacy of an inactivated commercial vaccine against AIV H9N2. Unvaccinated turkeys showed marked depression sinusitis, respiratory distress characterized by bronchiolar and tracheal rales of moderate severity, and a mortality rate of 50%. Postmortem examinations of dead and euthanatized birds revealed the presence of fibrinous tracheitis and airsacculitis lesions. Vaccination reduced the mortality rate to 20%. Vaccinated birds recovered at day 10 postchallenge, and only 12.5% (1/8) and 37.5% of birds still displayed fibrinous and nonfibrinous airsacculitis lesions, respectively, at day 15 postinoculation. Viral shedding in cloacal and tracheal swabs was lower in vaccinated than in control birds. Although viral RNA was detected in the cloacal swabs of all unvaccinated turkeys at day 3 postinoculation, only 50% of the vaccinated turkeys were positive for virus detection. At day 11 postinoculation, no viral RNA was detected in oropharyngeal swabs of vaccinated turkeys, whereas 40% of the unvaccinated turkeys were still shedding virus.

Siham Fellahi, Saadia Nassik, Imane Maaroufi, Nour-Said Tligui, Charifa Drissi Touzani, Taoufik Rawi, Andrea Delvecchio, Mariette F. Ducatez, and Mohamed EL Houadfi "Pathogenesis of Avian Influenza Virus Subtype H9N2 in Turkeys and Evaluation of Inactivated Vaccine Efficacy," Avian Diseases 65(1), 46-51, (26 August 2021). https://doi.org/10.1637/aviandiseases-D-20-00067
Received: 11 June 2020; Accepted: 20 August 2020; Published: 26 August 2021
KEYWORDS
H9N2
Morocco
pathogenesis
turkeys
vaccination
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top