UK: Multi-species study aids understanding of avian influenza

Published Mar 24, 2023

Tridge summary

A study by The Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, has discovered that immune processes and key genes play a crucial role in how different species respond to bird flu strains. The research, which compared six species with varying levels of susceptibility to bird flu, found that sickness and death in chickens and turkeys may be due to the impact on the brain. On the other hand, pigeons may be protected by high levels of interferon-stimulated genes. The study underscores the importance of a swift innate immune response to infection for better outcomes. The findings could help in limiting the risk of bird flu in commercial poultry.

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Original content

Researchers examining the response to mild and severe bird flu strains in different species have found that immune processes and key genes play a pivotal role in how they respond to infection. They examined the response to 6 species: 2 that are susceptible to bird flu (chicken and turkey) but also duck and crow, which tolerate and spread disease, and goose and pigeon, which are known to be highly resistant. The team from The Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, sought to pinpoint biological differences that affect the outcomes of infection. The results showed: The study, which is one of the first to compare responses to the brain, suggests that this impact on the organ may be the cause of sickness and death from flu in chickens and turkeys. On the other hand, pigeons may be protected by having high levels of what is known as interferon-stimulated genes, which are involved in the immune response to infection. The results also highlighted the benefits of a speedy innate immune response to ...

Source: Poultryworld