title: Systemic distribution of different low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses in chicken.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since we were able to isolate viable virus from brain and lung of H7N1 low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) infected chickens, we here examined the distribution of different LPAIV strains in chickens by measuring the viral AI RNA load in multiple organs. Subtypes of H5 (H5N1, H5N2), H7 (H7N1, H7N7) and H9 (H9N2), of chicken (H5N2, H7N1, H7N7, H9N2), or mallard (H5N1) origin were tested. The actual presence of viable virus was evaluated with virus isolation in organs of H7N7 inoculated chickens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Viral RNA was found by PCR in lung, brain, intestine, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, heart, liver, kidney and spleen from chickens infected with chicken isolated LPAIV H5N2, H7N1, H7N7 or H9N2. H7N7 virus could be isolated from lung, ileum, heart, liver, kidney and spleen, but not from brain, which was in agreement with the data from the PCR. Infection with mallard isolated H5N1 LPAIV resulted in viral RNA detection in lung and peripheral blood mononuclear cells only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We speculate that chicken isolated LPAI viruses are spreading systemically in chicken, independently of the strain.
authors: Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen U R, Lelystad, The Netherlands. jacob.post@wur.nl.
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Post
authors: Eveline D
authors: ED
authors: de Geus
authors: Lonneke
authors: L
authors: Vervelde
authors: Jan B W J
authors: JB
authors: Cornelissen
authors: Johanna M J
authors: JM
authors: Rebel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000821:virology; D002645:Chickens; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D053125:Influenza A Virus, H5N2 Subtype / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D057916:Influenza A Virus, H7N1 Subtype / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D053127:Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000821:virology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000821:virology; D008168:Lung / Q000821:virology