Quantifying the effects of host resistance on avian influenza virus dynamics in poultry

Camilla Benfield (primary)
Pathobiology and Population Science
Royal Veterinary College
Javier Guitian (secondary)
Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health
Royal Veterinary College

Abstract

The project aim is to develop a stochastic model for avian influenza virus (AIV) transmission in poultry that quantifies the effect of host genetic resistance upon viral dynamics. Influenza dynamics will also be studied in vitro in cell populations that differ in influenza resistance, and mathematical modelling used to quantify how alterations in virus dynamics at the cell level might scale at the population level of the poultry house.

This work addresses what profile of AIV resistance might be needed in commercial poultry populations in order to reduce impact of AIV, a significant threat to food security and public health.


References

  1. Ruiz-Hernandez et al. 2016 ‘Host genetics determine susceptibility to avian influenza infection and transmission dynamics.’ Scientific Reports. Jun 9;6:26787
  2. Benfield et al. 2008. ‘Asparagine 631 variants of the chicken Mx protein do not inhibit influenza replication in primary chicken embryo fibroblasts or in vitro surrogate assays.’ Journal of Virology 82: 7533-7539
  3. Fournié, Guitian et al. 2011 Impact of the implementation of rest days in live bird markets on the dynamics of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza. J R Soc Interface. Aug 7;8(61):1079-89
  4. Fournié , Guitian et al. 2013 Interventions for avian influenza A (H5N1) risk management in live bird market networks. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A May 28;110(22):9177-82

BBSRC Area
Animal disease, health and welfare
Area of Biology
ImmunologyMicrobiology
Techniques & Approaches
BioinformaticsMolecular BiologySimulation / Modelling