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Avian immunity to West Nile virus

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dc.contributor.authorNemeth, Nicole M., author
dc.contributor.authorBowen, R. A., advisor
dc.contributor.authorSpraker, Terry R., advisor
dc.date.accessioned2024-03-13T20:12:27Z
dc.date.available2024-03-13T20:12:27Z
dc.date.issued2008
dc.description.abstractAs West Nile virus (WNV) becomes endemic throughout much of North America, it continues to have detrimental effects on countless birds of various taxonomic groups. However, many birds survive infection, mounting an effective immune response. This dissertation focuses on the avian immune response to WNV, including naturally and experimentally-induced antibody duration and passive transfer of immunity. In addition, persistent WNV infection is a potential factor in altering pathogenesis if immunity were to wane. The duration and protection provided by anti-WNV antibodies was documented in house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and raptors for 3-4 years. Antibody levels were relatively stable over time, and protected against viremia in the former and recurrence of clinical disease in the latter. Passive transfer of WNV immunity from hen to eggs and chicks was characterized in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Eggs from both seropositive and seronegative hens were either sacrificed to test for WNV antibody in yolks or chicks artificially inoculated to examine viremic and serologic responses. Concurrently, age-associated differences in response to WNV infection were documented. The passive transfer experiment was repeated in house sparrows to explore this phenomenon in a passerine species; passive transfer was less prevalent in sparrow versus chicken chicks, was of shorter duration, and was less protective. Persistent WNV shedding, viremia, and tissue infection was examined in house sparrows, with juveniles sampled more intensively on a shorter time scale (30-65 days) and adults sampled at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months post-infection. Infectious WNV was isolated from an oral swab, spleen, and kidney of several individuals at 30 DPI, but not from sera after 6 DPI or swabs after 15 DPI. However, WNV was detected in an oral swab by RT-PCR at 44 DPI and was in multiple tissues from most sparrows at 30 DPI, and from kidney and spleen of two individuals at 65 DPI. These findings suggest that WNV infection in tissues may persist beyond the acute stage of infection, while implications for natural transmission and avian health remain unknown.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediumdoctoral dissertations
dc.identifierETDF_Nemeth_2008_3332758.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/237887
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.rights.licensePer the terms of a contractual agreement, all use of this item is limited to the non-commercial use of Colorado State University and its authorized users.
dc.subjectavian disease
dc.subjectbirds
dc.subjectflavivirus
dc.subjectimmune response
dc.subjectimmunity
dc.subjectWest Nile virus
dc.subjectvirology
dc.subjectimmunology
dc.titleAvian immunity to West Nile virus
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineMicrobiology, Immunology, and Pathology
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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