Meeting Abstract
126.5 Monday, Jan. 7 Experimental inoculation of nestling houses sparrows (Passer domesticus) with Buggy Creek virus RAINWATER, E*; FASSBINDER-ORTH, C; Creighton University; Creighton University elleciarainwater@creighton.edu
The etiology of arboviral infections in wild nestling birds has been understudied. In this study, captive house sparrow (Passer domesticus) nestlings were inoculated with Buggy Creek virus (BCRV). BCRV is an alphavirus that is vectored by the swallow bug (Oeciacus vicarious) and amplified by house sparrow nestlings in the wild. Seven-day-old nestlings were inoculated with 3.5 log10 plaque forming units (PFU) of BCRV lineage A (BCRV-A), BCRV lineage B (BCRV-B), or vehicle control, and the infection was monitored for 4 days post inoculation (4 DPI). Peak viremia occurred 1 DPI for both BCRV-A and B groups, with a mean peak virus titer of 4.24 ± 0.18 log10 PFU/ml sera for BCRV-A and 4.29 ± 0.12 log10 PFU/ml serum for BCRV-B. Viremia lasted for 2 DPI for both lineages, and no significant differences in viremia were detected between the two lineages (P = 0.967). Cytopathic BCRV was isolated from all lung and cerebral tissues in both BCRV-A and BCRV-B groups 2-4 DPI. Additionally, virus was isolated from the skin, skeletal muscle, heart, kidney, and small intestine for both BCRV-A and BCRV-B groups. Mucosal viral shedding was exhibited in 50% of BCRV-B nestlings and only 17% of BCRV-A nestlings. The impact of alphavirus infection on digestive parameters was also investigated. Digestive efficiency was 11% lower in BCRV-A group compared to the control (P < 0.016). Our results suggest that BCRV-A and BCRV-B are both effectively amplified in nestling house sparrows, and the infection results in widespread viral dissemination. Additionally, BCRV-A appears to negatively impact digestion in nestlings, while BCRV-B does not. Reduced digestive capabilities may contribute to the higher virulence that is seen for BCRV-A in wild nestling house sparrows compared to BCRV-B.
