Human metapneumovirus in turkey poults

Emerg Infect Dis. 2006 Dec;12(12):1853-9. doi: 10.3201/eid1212.060450.

Abstract

This study was conducted to reexamine the hypothesis that human metapneumovirus (hMPV) will not infect turkeys. Six groups of 2-week-old turkeys (20 per group) were inoculated oculonasally with 1 of the following: noninfected cell suspension; hMPV genotype A1, A2, B1, or B2; or avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) subtype C. Poults inoculated with hMPV showed nasal discharge days 4-9 postexposure. Specific viral RNA and antigen were detected by reverse-transcription PCR and immunohistochemical evaluation, respectively, in nasal turbinates of birds exposed to hMPV. Nasal turbinates of hMPV-infected turkeys showed inflammatory changes and mucus accumulation. Each of the 4 hMPV genotypes caused a transient infection in turkeys as evidenced by clinical signs, detection of hMPV in turbinates, and histopathologic examination. Detailed investigation of cross-species pathogenicity of hMPV and aMPV and its importance for human and animal health is needed.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Cell Line
  • Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
  • Lung / virology
  • Metapneumovirus / genetics
  • Metapneumovirus / pathogenicity*
  • Paramyxoviridae Infections / pathology
  • Paramyxoviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Paramyxoviridae Infections / virology
  • Poultry Diseases / pathology
  • Poultry Diseases / virology*
  • RNA, Viral / chemistry
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / pathology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / veterinary*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / virology
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Trachea / virology
  • Turkeys*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • RNA, Viral