2026-04-17T23:03:53Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/request

oai:recercat.cat:20.500.12327/27212025-10-22T11:33:29Zcom_2072_4428com_2072_4427col_2072_487898

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Gaide, Nicolas author Filaire, Fabien author Bertran, Kateri author Crispo, Manuela author Dirat, Malorie author Secula, Aurélie author Foret-Lucas, Charlotte author Payré, Bruno author Perlas, Albert author Cantero, Guillermo author Majó, Natàlia author Soubies, Sébastien author Guérin, Jean-Luc author 2023-11-03 Immature feathers are known replication sites for high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) in poultry. However, it is unclear whether feathers play an active role in viral transmission. This study aims to investigate the contribution of the feather epithelium to the dissemination of clade 2.3.4.4b goose/Guangdong/1996 lineage H5 HPAIVs in the environment, based on natural and experimental infections of domestic mule and Muscovy ducks. During the 2016–2022 outbreaks, H5 HPAIVs exhibited persistent and marked feather epitheliotropism in naturally infected commercial ducks. Infection of the feather epithelium resulted in epithelial necrosis and disruption, as well as the production and environmental shedding of infectious virions. Viral and feather antigens colocalized in dust samples obtained from poultry barns housing naturally infected birds. In summary, the feather epithelium contributes to viral replication, and it is a likely source of environmental infectious material. This underestimated excretion route could greatly impact the ecology of HPAIVs, facilitating airborne and preening-related infections within a flock, and promoting prolonged viral infectivity and long-distance viral transmission between poultry farms. Gaide, Nicolas, Fabien Filaire, Kateri Bertran, Manuela Crispo, Malorie Dirat, Aurélie Sécula, Charlotte Foret‐Lucas, et al. 2023. “The feather epithelium contributes to the dissemination and ecology of clade 2.3.4.4b H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses in ducks”. Emerging microbes & infections 12 (2): 2272644. doi: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2272644. 2222-1751 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12327/2721 https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2023.2272644 The feather epithelium contributes to the dissemination and ecology of clade 2.3.4.4b H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses in ducks