Project Number: 6612-32000-051-08
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 25, 2006
End Date: Mar 28, 2009

Objective:
a) To characterize the pathogenesis of low pathogenic H7 subtype avian influenza (AI) virus isolates in chickens, turkeys, and ducks; and b) to evaluate global gene regulation following H5N1 infection of avian species using an avian macrophage microarray.

Approach:
Ten to 12 low pathogenic H7 subtype AI viruses will be selected from the SEPRL repository that represent different sources, species of origin, genetic lineages and years of isolation. Viruses from the University of Delaware repository may be included also. The pathogenesis of each virus will be evaluated in white leghorn (WL) chickens, turkeys, Pekin ducks, and optionally white rock chickens in accordance with a standardized protocol. Transmissibility-minimum infectious dose studies may be performed with selected isolates in selected species. Genetic analysis will be performed on the isolates used in these studies. To examine differential host gene expression, WL chickens, SPF turkeys, and Pekin ducks will be infected with highly pathogenic H5N1 AI viruses from the SEPRL repository under BSL3 Ag conditions at SEPRL. Spleen and lung tissue will be harvested at daily intervals and single cell suspensions obtained following passage through a 70uM mesh screen. RNA will be extracted and sent to UD for microarray analysis.