Characterization of a virus causing inclusion body hepatitis in bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) and its comparison to quail bronchitis virus and Indiana C adenovirus
Abstract
Isolate 1452 was recovered from the livers of bobwhite quails affected with inclusion body hepatitis. Over 60% of the affected flock $<$3-weeks-old had died without observed clinical signs. Isolate 1452 was demonstrated to be a group I, serotype 1 avian adenovirus, indistinguishable from quail bronchitis virus (QBV) and Indiana C (IndC). The purpose of these studies was to determine the pathogenicity of 1452 in quails and to characterize and compare the lesions produced by 1452 with those produced by QBV and IndC. Quails were inoculated at 1, 3, 6, or 9 weeks of age with 1452, QBV, or IndC by the intratracheal (IT), intraperitoneal (IP), or subcutaneous (SQ) route. To determine the fate of virus and development of lesions, other quails were killed and necropsied sequentially following IT inoculation with 1452 at 1 week of age. Mortality rates were higher and lesions were more severe in quails inoculated at 1 or 3 weeks of age than in older quails. However, $>$70% of quails inoculated IP with IndC or 1452 at 6 weeks of age died. Each virus produced proliferative and necrotizing tracheitis and bronchitis, pneumonia, multifocal necrotizing hepatitis, necrotizing splenitis, and lymphoid necrosis and atrophy of the bursa of Fabricius. Respiratory lesions were more severe in quails inoculated IT than by other routes and liver lesions were more severe in quails inoculated IP than in quails inoculated by other routes. Following IT inoculation, 1452 was consistently recovered from lung, but was isolated from cecal tonsils and bursa of Fabricius 4 hours post-inoculation (PI) and from liver and spleen 8 hours PI. The virus titer in each organ was highest 4-6 days PI corresponding with severity of histologic lesions. Ultrastructural lesions of the tracheal mucosa progressed from deciliation and intranuclear inclusion body formation to epithelial necrosis and leukocyte infiltration. Based on in vitro and in vivo characteristics, isolate 1452 should be considered a strain of quail bronchitis virus.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Reed, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Veterinary services
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