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Crispo M, Muñoz MC, Lacroix F, Kheyi MR, Delverdier M, Croville G, Dirat M, Gaide N, Guerin JL, Le Loc'h G. Pathological investigation of high pathogenicity avian influenza H5N8 in captive houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata), the United Arab Emirates 2020. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4235. [PMID: 38378877 PMCID: PMC10879111 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54884-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
At the end of 2020, an outbreak of HPAI H5N8 was registered in captive African houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata) in the United Arab Emirates. In order to better understand the pathobiology of this viral infection in bustards, a comprehensive pathological characterization was performed. A total of six birds were selected for necropsy, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, RNAscope in situ hybridization and RT-qPCR and nanopore sequencing on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks. Gross lesions included mottled and/or hemorrhagic pancreas, spleen and liver and fibrinous deposits on air sacs and intestine. Necrotizing pancreatitis, splenitis and concurrent vasculitis, hepatitis and fibrino-heterophilic peritonitis were identified, microscopically. Viral antigens (nucleoprotein) and RNAs (matrix gene) were both detected within necro-inflammatory foci, parenchymal cells, stromal cells and endothelial cells of affected organs, including the myenteric plexus. Molecular analysis of FFPE blocks successfully detected HPAI H5N8, further confirming its involvement in the lesions observed. In conclusion, HPAI H5N8 in African houbara bustards results in hyperacute/acute forms exhibiting marked pantropism, endotheliotropism and neurotropism. In addition, our findings support the use of FFPE tissues for molecular studies of poorly characterized pathogens in exotic and endangered species, when availability of samples is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Crispo
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France.
| | - Mar Carrasco Muñoz
- Reneco International Wildlife Consultants LLC, PO Box 61741, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Frédéric Lacroix
- Reneco International Wildlife Consultants LLC, PO Box 61741, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed-Reda Kheyi
- Reneco International Wildlife Consultants LLC, PO Box 61741, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maxence Delverdier
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Guillaume Croville
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Malorie Dirat
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Nicolas Gaide
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Jean Luc Guerin
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France
| | - Guillaume Le Loc'h
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, ENVT, INRAE, 23 Chemin des Capelles, 31076, Toulouse Cedex 3, France
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