Adaptation of A/mallard/potsdam/178-4/83 (h2n2) in Japanese Quail Leads to Replication and Transmission in Chickens

Title of Thesis: ADAPTATION OF A/MALLARD/POTSDAM/178-4/83 (H2N2) IN JAPANESE QUAIL LEADS TO REPLICATION AND TRANSMISSION IN CHICKENS Erin Maureen Sorrell, Master of Science, 2005 Thesis Directed By: Assistant Professor Daniel R. Perez Department of Veterinary Medicine VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and The University of Maryland, College Park Influenza is a single stranded, negative-sense RNA virus with a segmented genome that can infect avian and mammalian species. Influenza viruses from the avian reservoir do not seem to replicate efficiently in humans upon direct transmission. Therefore, an intermediate host is involved in generating mutations to create a more transmissible or an avian-human reassortant virus. Quail have been highlighted as a potential reservoir and intermediate host of avian influenza. To assess the potential of quail as an intermediate host, A/Mallard/Postdam/178-4/83, H2N2 was tested to determine if through adaptation in quail a mallard strain can replicate and transmit in quail, as well as other avian species. After six serial passages of lung homogenate a virus arose, which replicated and transmitted directly to contact quail. When chickens were infected with this quail-adapted virus replication and transmission were observed, while no replication was noted in the chickens infected with wild type H2N2 virus.