Comparative Pathogenicity of Duck Hepatitis A Virus-1 Isolates in Experimentally Infected Pekin and Muscovy Ducklings

Abstract

Hisham et al. Pathogenicity of Egyptian DHAV-1 Strains these data provide updated information on the genetic diversity and pathotyping of Egyptian DHAV-1 strains. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of comparative pathogenicity of recent DHAV-1 strains in Pekin and Muscovy ducklings in Egypt and the Middle East region.

Genomic Epidemiology and Evolution of Duck Hepatitis A Virus

“…The aa sites 183 and 187 belong to the hypervariable region of the VP1; aa substitutions of this region were connected to changes in virulence. Furthermore, changes at other sites of the VP1, as well as the VP0 and VP3 regions, may affect the virulence or facilitate immune escape mechanisms [ 1 , 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”

“…The trade of domestic ducks and some ornamental bird species may also be a risk for geographical dispersal. Among heterologous hosts susceptible to DHAV, one needs to mention some columbiform and additional anseriform birds (including geese and Muscovy ducks) [ 1 , 18 , 39 , 40 ]. On the other hand, the routine vaccination of exported domestic breeding ducks and ducklings against DHAV-1 probably results in a reduced risk for virus spread.…”

“…Infection caused by duck hepatitis virus 1 (DHV-1 or DHV type I), recently renamed as duck hepatitis A virus (DHAV), may be fatal in up to 95% of ducklings, typically under three weeks of age [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. The disease is characterized by hepatic failures (enlargement, hemorrhages and necrosis), neurological signs (ataxia, opisthotonus) and the sudden death of affected birds [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. The duck industry has been heavily affected by this virus; however, the disease can be efficiently prevented by vaccination [ 5 ].…”

“…Three serotypes/genotypes (DHAV-1, DHAV-2 and DHAV-3) of DHAV have been distinguished by serological and phylogenetic analyses. Outbreaks of DHAV-1 have been reported in many parts of the world, whereas DHAV-2 and DHAV-3 seemed to be geographically restricted to East and South Asia, although a DHAV-3 outbreak has recently been reported in Egypt ( Figure 1 ) [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

Insights into the Genetic Evolution of Duck Hepatitis A Virus in Egypt

“…DHAV was reported in Egypt in the late 1970s [ 10 ], and later, several reports of the disease outbreaks have been documented from Egypt [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. These reports mainly focused on partial sequencing of the 5′UTR, VP1 and 3D genes and thus failed to provide a comprehensive genome-wide evolutionary insight.…”