A new method enables more detailed investigation of differences between highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Combining cell-based research with mathematical modelling offers potential for faster risk assessments and fewer animal experiments.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza causes significant damage to the poultry industry worldwide. As the virus evolves, new variants regularly emerge that may differ in how easily they spread and how severely they affect infected birds. Researchers at Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR, part of Wageningen University & Research) characterized eight avian influenza virus variants in chicken and duck cells. Using mathematical modelling, they identified differences in how these viruses behave in poultry cells.
Characterization of avian influenza viruses
The researchers investigated how the viruses replicated and how quickly infected cells died.
By combining these data with mathematical modelling, the researchers gained a better understanding of how the infections progressed. Among other things, they were able to determine how quickly infected cells infected other cells. "This even revealed differences between genetically similar viruses that would only have been identified in studies involving live animals," explains researcher Luca Bordes.
The results also show that avian influenza viruses can behave differently in chicken and duck cells. This highlights the importance of studying the characteristics of emerging virus variants in different bird species.
Faster research with fewer animal experiments
"These results are consistent with what we have previously observed in live animals," says Bordes. Animals are often used to study virus characteristics. "With this new method, we can compare virus variants more quickly without using animals. This approach supports our aim to reduce animal experiments wherever possible."
In the future, the new method could contribute to faster risk assessments of emerging avian influenza virus variants. However, further research is needed to establish how reliably results from cell cultures can predict the course of infection in live animals. The researchers also see opportunities to develop the method further for studying virus infections in humans and other animal species.
Read the scientific publication: Mathematical modeling of in vitro replication dynamics for multiple highly pathogenic avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4 viruses in chicken and duck cells
