Meeting Abstract
P3.130 Sunday, Jan. 6 Alphavirus infection impairs growth and development of altricial nestling birds HIATT, M*; KILLPACK, T; CROUCH, W; FASSBINDER-ORTH, C; Creighton University; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Creighton University; Creighton University mjh13972@creighton.edu
Arboviral infections have been recorded in wild avian nestlings, but the physiological impacts of the infections on avian growth and development have not been well studied. House sparrows (Passer domesticus) are one of two species of wild birds that serve as avian hosts for Buggy Creek virus (BCRV), an alphavirus transmitted by swallow bugs (Oeciacus vicarius). To study the impact of BCRV on developing birds, 7 day old house sparrow nestlings were inoculated with 3.5 log10 plaque forming units (PFUs) of two different lineages of BCRV (lineage A or B), or a vehicle control, and the infection was followed for 4 days post inoculation (DPI). Measurements taken post-infection revealed that there were no significant differences in body mass growth among the BCRV-A, BCRV-B, and control groups. However, a significant reduction (P<0.02) in tarsus length was seen in both BCRV-A and BCRV-B infected birds compared to the control group (14.7% reduction and 15.9% reduction, respectively). Furthermore, data taken post-mortem showed the average wing length to be significantly shorter in BCRV-infected birds compared to control birds (P < 0.05). Culmen length was also significantly lower (P<0.002) in BCRV-B birds compared to the controls, with mean culmen lengths of 0.58±0.012 cm and 0.61±0.009 cm, respectively. Lastly, water content of tissues (a measure of tissue maturity) was significantly higher in BCRV-A infected birds compared to controls (P<0.04), indicating relative tissue immaturity of BCRV-A infected birds. These results suggest that BCRV infection leads to a reduced capacity for growth in developing house sparrows. This impairment likely contributes to the high mortality rates observed in BCRV-infected house sparrow nestlings in the wild.
