Project Number: 3625-32000-088-05
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Sep 15, 2007
End Date: Sep 14, 2012

Objective:
1) Pathogenesis of avian inluenza virus isolates in swine; 2) Role of avian polymerases in adaptation of swine influenza viruses to swine; 3) Genetic characterization of swine and avian influenza viruses to swine; and 4) Preparation of reagents.

Approach:
1) Pathogenesis of avian influenza virus isolates in swine will be evaluated after inoculation into a group of four week old pigs. Microscopic and macroscopic lung lesions and viral replication in lungs and nasal cavities will be determined. 2) Various reassortant viruses containing avian and/or swine polymerase genes will be established using reverse genetics approaches. These reassortant viruses will be tested for their pathogenic potential in swine. 3) Swine and avian influenza isolates will be genetically characterized using conventional sequencing approaches. 4) Hyperimmune sera and various viruses will be made available as reagents.