D Sommer, U Heffels-Redmann, K Köhler, M Lierz, E F Kaleta1. 1. Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Erhard F. Kaleta, Klinik für Vögel, Reptilien, Amphibien und Fische, Klinikum Veterinärmedizin, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Frankfurter Straße 91-93, 35392 Gießen, E-Mail: Erhard.F.Kaleta@vetmed.uni-giessen.de.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus [D.] gallinae) in the horizontal transmission of avian influenza A virus (AIV) to chickens. This mite is the most common ectoparasite in poultry worldwide, and may play a role in the spread of infectious agents including AIV. Currently, the control of mites is difficult due to frequently developed resistance to many acaricides, their nocturnality and their ability to survive hidden without feeding for months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: D. gallinae were collected in a commercial layer farm and housed in self-made fibreboard boxes. SPF chickens were intravenously infected with AIV strain A/turkey/Ontario/7732/1966 (H5N9). The viraemia in chickens was monitored and at an appropriate time point about 1000 mites were allowed to suck on the AIV infected chickens. Re-isolation of the virus from blood-filled mites was tried daily for 14 days using chicken embryo fibroblast cultures and embryonated chicken eggs. Subsequently, the virus containing mites were placed into boxes that contained naïve SPF chickens to enable virus transmission from mites to chickens. Possible transmission to the chickens was examined using clinical signs, serology, gross lesions, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Chickens developed a dose-dependent viraemia one day after infection, therefore this day was chosen for the bloodmeal of the mites. AIV was detected in mites after bloodsucking on AIV-infected chickens over a 10-day period. Naïve SPF chickens were infected during bloodsucking of AIV carrying mites. AIV isolates in mites and in chickens were undistinguishable from the original AIV inoculum by RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: D. gallinae ingested AIV during bloodmeals on AIV infected chickens and are able to transmit AIV to SPF chickens. Therefore, mites serve as mechanical vector of AIV and may play a major role in the circulation of AIV within a facility or area although the life span of infectious virus in the mite is limited. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The proven transmission requires more than ever a systematic control of this ectoparasite in order to maintain poultry health and productivity. The demonstrated vector function of this mite is of great significance for poultry flocks all over the world.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus [D.] gallinae) in the horizontal transmission of avian influenza A virus (AIV) to chickens. This mite is the most common ectoparasite in poultry worldwide, and may play a role in the spread of infectious agents including AIV. Currently, the control of mites is difficult due to frequently developed resistance to many acaricides, their nocturnality and their ability to survive hidden without feeding for months. MATERIALS AND METHODS:D. gallinae were collected in a commercial layer farm and housed in self-made fibreboard boxes. SPF chickens were intravenously infected with AIV strain A/turkey/Ontario/7732/1966 (H5N9). The viraemia in chickens was monitored and at an appropriate time point about 1000 mites were allowed to suck on the AIV infected chickens. Re-isolation of the virus from blood-filled mites was tried daily for 14 days using chicken embryo fibroblast cultures and embryonated chicken eggs. Subsequently, the virus containing mites were placed into boxes that contained naïve SPF chickens to enable virus transmission from mites to chickens. Possible transmission to the chickens was examined using clinical signs, serology, gross lesions, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS:Chickens developed a dose-dependent viraemia one day after infection, therefore this day was chosen for the bloodmeal of the mites. AIV was detected in mites after bloodsucking on AIV-infected chickens over a 10-day period. Naïve SPF chickens were infected during bloodsucking of AIV carrying mites. AIV isolates in mites and in chickens were undistinguishable from the original AIV inoculum by RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS:D. gallinae ingested AIV during bloodmeals on AIV infected chickens and are able to transmit AIV to SPF chickens. Therefore, mites serve as mechanical vector of AIV and may play a major role in the circulation of AIV within a facility or area although the life span of infectious virus in the mite is limited. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The proven transmission requires more than ever a systematic control of this ectoparasite in order to maintain poultry health and productivity. The demonstrated vector function of this mite is of great significance for poultry flocks all over the world.
Authors: Kathryn Bartley; Frank Turnbull; Harry W Wright; John F Huntley; Javier Palarea-Albaladejo; Mintu Nath; Alasdair J Nisbet Journal: Vet Parasitol Date: 2017-06-27 Impact factor: 2.738
Authors: Jose Francisco Lima-Barbero; Marinela Contreras; Kathryn Bartley; Daniel R G Price; Francesca Nunn; Marta Sanchez-Sanchez; Eduardo Prado; Ursula Höfle; Margarita Villar; Alasdair J Nisbet; José de la Fuente Journal: Vaccines (Basel) Date: 2019-09-19
Authors: José Francisco Lima-Barbero; Marinela Contreras; Lourdes Mateos-Hernández; Francisco Manuel Mata-Lorenzo; Roxana Triguero-Ocaña; Olivier Sparagano; Robert D Finn; Christina Strube; Daniel R G Price; Francesca Nunn; Kathryn Bartley; Ursula Höfle; Mariana Boadella; Alasdair J Nisbet; José de la Fuente; Margarita Villar Journal: Vaccines (Basel) Date: 2019-11-20