Antibody responses to avian influenza viruses in wild birds broaden with age

Abstract

For viruses such as avian influenza, immunity within a host population can drive the emergence of new strains by selecting for viruses with novel antigens that avoid immune recognition. The accumulation of acquired immunity with age is hypothesized to affect how influenza viruses emerge and spread in species of different lifespans. Despite its importance for understanding the behaviour of avian influenza viruses, little is known about age-related accumulation of immunity in the virus's primary reservoir, wild birds. To address this, we studied the age structure of immune responses to avian influenza virus in a wild swan population (Cygnus olor), before and after the population experienced an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in 2008. We performed haemagglutination inhibition assays on sampled sera for five avian influenza strains and show that breadth of response accumulates with age. The observed age-related distribution of antibody responses to avian influenza strains may explain the age-dependent mortality observed during the highly pathogenic H5N1 outbreak. Age structures and species lifespan are probably important determinants of viral epidemiology and virulence in birds.

Virome heterogeneity and connectivity in waterfowl and shorebird communities

“…For example, different host species have different cell receptors which in turn results in different cell and tissue tropisms and patterns of viral attachment [57]. Further, following infection, different species have differences in long-term immune memory [24,25]. However, we saw no clear distinction between the viromes of Anseriformes or Charadriiformes based on host taxonomy, suggesting these host factors are not central to virome structuring.…”

“…Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) infected with highly pathogenic IAV are thought to move the virus large distances and remain free of clinical signs, while Tufted Ducks (Aythya fuligula), in contrast, experience severe mortality [21][22][23]. Following IAV infection, dabbling ducks of the genus Anas are believed to develop poor immune memory [24], allowing life-long IAV re-infection, in contrast to swans that have long-term immune memory [25] and where re-infection probability is likely very low in adults. These differences are driven by factors encompassing both virus (e.g.…”

Immunosenescence in wild animals: meta‐analysis and outlook

“…Depicted are phylogenetic relatedness on the left, scientific names for all species included (blue = data collected in wild population, red = data collected in captive population), and for each species the number of effects in each main component of the immune system and the relevant references. References: 1: (Lindsay et al ); 2: (Beirne et al ); 3: (Mazzaro et al ); 4: (Mellish et al ); 5: (Schneeberger et al ); 6: (Cheynel et al ); 7: (Graham et al ); 8: (Nussey et al ); 9: (Watson et al ); 10: (Grandoni et al ); 11: (Ezenwa & Jolles ); 12: (Ahmad et al ); 13: (Abolins et al ); 14: (Nehete et al ); 15: (Nehete et al ); 16: {Castro:2015hz}; 17: (Cicin‐Sain et al ); 18: (Čičin‐Šain et al ); 19: (Coe & Ershler ); 20: (Coe et al ); 21: (Ershler et al ): 22: (Higashino et al ): 23: (Eichberg et al ); 24: (Jayashankar et al ); 25: (Setchell et al ); 26: (Chakrabarti et al ); 27: (Sharma et al ); 28: (Massot et al ); 29: (Richard et al ); 30: (Madsen et al ); 31: (Ujvari & Madsen ); 32: (Ujvari & Madsen ); 33: (Sparkman & Palacios ); 34: (Zimmerman et al ); 35: (Zimmerman et al ); 36: (Zimmerman et al ); 37: (Groffen et al ); 38: (Lavoie et al ); 39: (Alonso‐Alvarez et al ); 40: (Hill et al ); 41: (Counihan & Hollmén ); 42: (Neggazi et al ); 43: (Terrón et al ); 44: (Apanius & Nisbet ); 45: (Lozano & Lank ); 46: (Lozano & Lank ); 47: (Nebel et al ); 48: (Torres & Velando ); 49: (Haussmann et al ); 50: (Lecomte et al ); 51: (Catry et al ); 52: (Wilcoxen et al ); 53: (Vermeulen et al ); 54: (Møller & Haussy ); 55: (Saino et al ); 56: (Palacios ...…”

Virome heterogeneity and connectivity in waterfowl and shorebird communities

“…Mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ) infected with the highly pathogenic IAV are thought to move the virus large distances and remain free of clinical signs, while Tufted Ducks ( Aythya fuligula ), in contrast, experience severe mortality (18-20). Following IAV infection, dabbling ducks of the genus Anas are believed to develop poor immune memory (21), allowing IAV re-infections throughout their lives, in contrast to swans that have long term immune memory (22) and where re-infection probability is likely very low in adults. These differences are driven by factors encompassing both virus (e.g.…”