Research Article

Genetic Characterization and Pathological Evaluation of Clade 2.3.4.4b Avian Influenza Virus(H5N8) in Naturally Infected Domestic Ducks in Egyptian Farms

Sara Magdy Hashim1, Elshaimaa Ismael2, Mohamed Tarek3, Faten Fathy Mohammed1*, Fatma Amer Abdel Reheem3, Rawhia Esawy Doghaim1

1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt; 2Department of Veterinary Hygiene and Management, Egypt, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt; 3Reference Laboratory for Veterinary Quality Control on Poultry Production, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza 12618, Egypt.

Received | August 30, 2022; Accepted | September 28, 2022; Published | November 20, 2022

*Correspondence | Faten Fathy Mohammed, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, 12211, Egypt; Email: [email protected]

Citation | Hashim SM, Ismael E, Tarek M, Mohammed FF, Abdel Reheem FA, Doghaim RE (2022). Genetic characterization and pathological evaluation of clade 2.3.4.4B avian influenza virus(h5n8) in naturally infected domestic ducks in egyptian farms. Adv. Anim. Vet. Sci. 10(12): 2609-2621.

DOI | http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.aavs/2022/10.12.2609.2621

ISSN (Online) | 2307-8316

 

 

Copyright: 2022 by the authors. Licensee ResearchersLinks Ltd, England, UK.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Introduction

Avian influenza (AI) is an eminently contagious disease for poultry, that continue to disseminate in nature throughout the bird populations (Alexander et al., 2009), presenting a public health threat and economic loss associated with influenza pandemics (Van Wijhe et al., 2018). Avian influenza (AI) is caused by type A influenza virus, family Orthomyxoviridae, genus Influenza virus (Cox et al., 2000). The family Orthomyxoviridae comprises six general classified according to their serological cross-reaction to the nucleoprotein and matrix proteins (Bernard et al., 2013), Influenza virus A is known to affect birds naturally (Sonnberg et al., 2013). AIVs are classified into high and low pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV and LPAIV) depending upon existing criteria agreed by the World Organization for Animal Health (Capua and Alexander 2004; Mohammad & Mahmoud 2005). Recently, reassortment of avian influenza has been detected via acquiring neuraminidase (NA) genes from unrelated avian influenza viruses (Smith et al., 2015). China recorded an outbreak in a goose farm in 1996 at Qinghai Lake that caused by Asian H5 subtype, the virus has heam agglutination (HA) gene that originated from the H5N1 A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996 (GS/ GD96) subtype (Xu et al., 1999).

The Asian H5 subtype shared the same HA gene, originated from the H5N1 (GS/ GD96) A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996 subtype, that caused an outbreak in Guangdong province at Qinghai Lake in 1996 in China (Xu et al., 1999).An emergence of a new clade of H5 viruses (2.3.4.4) was detected in 2014. This clades involving of viruses comprises the subtypes H5N1, H5N2, H5N3, H5N5, H5N6, and H5N8 (Adlhoch et al., 2014; Smith et al., 2015).

Avian influenza appeared to be the key pathogen of avian respiratory diseases in Egypt (Abdelwhab and Hafez 2011; Hassan et al., 2016), including highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 of the Chinese origin (GS/GD96) goose/Guangdong lineage, that was first introduced into Egypt in 2006 and then the low pathogenic H9N2 (clade G1‐B) that was introduced in 2011 (Aly et al., 2008), followed by HPAI H5N8 viruses of GS/GD clade 2.3.4.4b introduction into Egypt in November 2016 via wild birds, causing further complications due to their spread into poultry industry (Hassan et al., 2020). The H5N8 AIV in Egypt was found to be closely related to the European H5N8 HPAI, clade 2.3.4.4b, based on the HA and NA sequences (Yehia et al., 2018). Egypt was the third country in the Middle East to report the H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b (CIDRAP, 2016). AI viruses have been isolated from their natural reservoirs Charadriiformes and orders Anseriformes that include the domestic ducks (Alexander, 2007; Krauss et al., 2007). Ducks have played a role in novel influenza A viruses (IAVs) emergence events that threatened food security and public health, (McBride et al., 2021). Domestic ducks have been shown to be the reservoir of many avian influenza virus subtypes and allow their re-assortments, thus playing a role in virus ecology, propagation, and the emergence of new AIV genotypes (Barber et al., 2010; Parvin et al., 2020). Gross lesions in affected domestic ducks with HPAIVs exceedingly varied according to their geographical location and disease severity, depending on the host, virus pathogenicity and virulence, and the existence of the secondary micro-organisms. (Bröjer et al., 2009; Swayne et al., 2013).

A study that was applied in France to detect the pathogenicity of H5N8 in different birds, revealed that lesions were mild in ducks, in addition to inadequate detection of antigen in the respiratory and digestive linings. Also, it was found that leukocytes were lower in their viral antigenic load in ducks’ tissue compared to that of chicken and guinea fowls (Gaide et al.,2022). Histopathology and immunohistochemical staining, in ducks affected by HPAI H5N8, revealed severe congestion and hemorrhages in whole organs, in addition to proliferation of glia cells and neuronal degeneration in brain, proliferative reaction with leucocytes infiltration in lungs and liver with degenerated and necrosed pancreatic acini (Abou-Rawash et al., 2012; Ruba et al., 2015; Mohammed et al., 2018). The present study aims to perform a survey on the incidence of AIVs subtype H5N8 infection in domestic ducks in Egyptian farms at different localities, phylogenetic analysis of the isolated strain, further characterization of pathological alterations developed in different organs of ducks infected by AIVs subtype H5N8 infection, and applying a correlation between histopathological lesions and residence of viral antigen in tissues using immunohistochemistry.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethics statement

The present work procedures were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee at Cairo University, Egypt (Approval number of ethics committee: Vet CU28/04/2021/285).

Sampling

In a survey conducted from May 2018 to January 2020, Samples were collected from 100 suspected domestic ducks of different ages (7 to 200 days old) and breeds (Sudani, Pekin, Muscovy), located in different Egyptian provinces (Giza, Fayoum, Sharqia, Behera, Dakahlia, Menia, , and Assiut) were examined against HPAI H5Nx virus. Postmortem examination for carcasses was obtained both from sick or moribund ducks that were suffering from mild to moderate respiratory and nervous signs as well as diarrhea. Sick ducks were selected and sent to the Reference Laboratory for Quality Control on Poultry Production (RLQP, Egypt), Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Giza, Egypt for real time Rt-PCR and sequencing. Data were recorded from all positive H5N8 naturally infected domestic ducks regarding their epidemiology, mortality rate and vaccination program as shown in Table 1 & 2.

Virus isolation and molecular characterization

Viral RNA was extracted from the collected tissue samples using QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. All samples were tested against AIV H5N8 and H5N1 subtypes using RT-Qpcr specific for HA and NA segments (Hoffmann et al., 2016), using Stratagene MX3005P real

 

Table 1: Number and distribution of H5N8-positive rRT-PCR samples at different age among different duck breeds in different provinces between 2018-2020

Date	Governorate	Total no. of cases	Age (days)	Breed	Mortality Rate	Vaccination regime
						Frequency	H5 Clade
2018-2020	Giza	43	60 - 200	Sudani Pekin Muscovy	21.2 %	2X - *8 samples are not vaccinated	2.2.1
2018-2020	Sharqia	21	7 - 200	Sudani Pekin	2.5 %	2X	2.2.1
2019	Menia	12	22 - 50	Sudani	11 %	1X	2.2.1 2.3.2
2018-2019	Dakahlia	9	150 - 200	Sudani Muscovy	15%	3X	2.2.1 2.3.2
2019	Fayoum	8	120 - 200	Sudani	3.6 %	3X	2.2.1 2.3.2
2019	Assiut	4	150 - 200	Sudani	3.5 %	3X	2.2.1
2019	Behera	3	160 - 200	Sudani	5 %	3X	2.3.2

*Samples were collected from clinically diseased or freshly dead birds.

* Reverse transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction were ranged from 15 – 30 (Considered positive less than 35 CT).

 

Table 2: Geographical distribution, incidence and seasonal incidence of H5N8 positive rRt-PCR in different breeds

Governorate	Total no. of cases	Incidence (%)	Seasonal incidence %				Breed
			Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Sudani	Pekin	Muscovy
Giza	43	33 (76.7%)	10/33 (30.3%)	18/33 (54.5%)	3/33 (9.09%)	2/33 (6.06%)	18/33 (54.5%)	11/33 (33.3%)	4/33 (12.12%)
Sharqia	21	16 (76.1%)	6/16 (37.5%)	_____	6/16 (37.5%)	4/16 (25%)	13/16 (81.25)	3/16 (18.75%)	_____
Menia	12	8 (66.6%)	8/8 (100%)	_____	_____	_____	8/8 (100%)	_____	_____
Dakahlia	9	3 (33%)	2/3 (66.6%)	1/3 (33.3%)	_____	_____	2/3 (66.6%)	_____	1/3 (33.3%)
Fayoum	8	3 (37.5%)	1/3 (33.3%)	1/3 (33.3%)	_____	_____	3/3 (100%)	_____	_____
Assiut	4	2 (50%)	1/2 (50%)	1/2 (50%)	_____	_____	2/2 (100%)	_____	_____
Behera	3	1 (33.3%)	_____	1/1 (100%)	_____	_____	1/1 (100%)	_____	_____
Total %	100	66 (66 %)	28 (42.4%)	22 (19.8%)	9 (13.6%)	6 (9 %)	47 (71.2%)	14 (21.2%)	5 (7.57%)

 

-time PCR. Allantoic fluid, 10-day-old specific-pathogen-free (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs (ECEs), inoculation was done for viral isolation according to the OIE manual (Naguib et al., 2017). The harvested allantoic fluids were tested against virus hemagglutination action by hemagglutinin assay and verified by using RT-qPCR.

Sequencing and Phylogenetic Analyses

The complete gene segment of the HA was amplified using primers previously described by Hoper et al. (2009). The gene-specific RT-PCR amplicons were further processed using the QIA quick Gel Extraction Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) to obtain a purified PCR products . cycle sequencing using Big Dye Terminator v3.1 Cycle Sequencing Kit (Applied Biosystems, Waltham, MA, USA). Purification of the products was performed using Centrisep spin column (Thermo Fisher, Waltham, MA, USA) and sequenced on an Applied Biosystems 3130 genetic analyzer, USA. Thereafter, the obtained sequence of the HA gene was assembled and edited using Seqscape® software for primary analysis of the raw data. (Tamura et al., 2013). Sequence established in the present study were submitted to GenBank. In addition, retrieval of genetic sequences from representative HPAI H5N8 viruses were performed from the NCBI and GISAID platforms. The nucleotide sequences were edited using Bio Edit (Hall 1999), and alignment analyses were performed using MAFFT (Katoh & Standley, 2013). Phylogenetic analysis was performed by employing maximum likelihood methodology using MEGA X software (Tamura et al., 2013).

Pathological examination

Postmortem examination was done on different organs (Trachea, lungs, heart, liver, pancreas, intestine, spleen, kidneys and brain) that were collected from naturally infected domestic ducks. Tissue specimens were preserved in 10% neutral buffered formalin, and routinely processed, sectioned, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain (Bancroft, J.D. and, Layton 2013).

Immunohistochemical studies

Hyperimmune serum was prepared against H5N8 AIV by series of injections in rabbits, as described by Horwitz and Scharff (1969). Three healthy rabbits of approximately 3 kg body weight were used, two rabbits were inoculated for hyperimmune serum preparation and one was used as control. The two rabbits were injected with two ml of avian influenza (AI) vaccine (ME VAC H5N8) subcutaneously (S/C) and this was repeated for 4 successful weeks, and on the fifth week, immunized rabbits were euthanized. Blood samples were collected for serum separation according to (Simpura, 1998). Titration of antibodies (Abs) were for haemagglutination inhibition (HI) activity using a 96-well microtiter system. A/Ck/Scot/59(H5N1) subtype of AIV was used as the test antigens. Preincubation of eight haemagglutinations (HA) units of viral antigen with two-fold serial dilutions of Abs for 30 min at room temperature, then adding 0.5% chicken red blood cells in phosphate-buffered saline. Calculation of antibody titer depending on the highest dilution that completely inhibited haemagglutination was done. Antibody purification was carried out using Magne_ Protein G Beads (Promega Corporation, Madison, Wisconsin, USA).

Results

Clinical Findings

The prevalence of AI-H5Nx disease in domestic ducks was studied for a period of 3 years (May 2018 to January 2020) in seven governorates in Egypt (Giza, Fayoum, Beheria, Dakahlia, Sharqia, Menia, and Assiut), 100 suspected domestic ducks (Sudani, Pekin, Muscovy), of different ages, were examined for HPAI H5Nx virus. Clinical signs were variable. Most ducks died in good body conditions and some without showing any clinical signs. other ducks exhibited nervous signs including tremors of the neck, head pressing on the ground, associated with greenish-yellow diarrhea and respiratory distresses as shown in (Fig. 1). The information regarding age, vaccination, symptoms manifested, and mortality rate were summarized as shown in (Table 1).

 

Geographical distribution and seasonal incidence of HPAI H5N8

A total of 66 positive samples were detected in seven governorates in Egypt (Giza, Fayoum, Behera, Dakahlia, Sharqia, Menia, and Assiut), according to the geographical distribution, the highest incidence was detected in Giza with (33 samples), Sharqia with (16 samples) and Menia with (8 samples) respectively, while the lowest incidence was recorded in Fayoum with (three samples), Dakahlia with (two samples), Assiut with (two samples) and Behera with (1 sample). . Samples were collected in different seasons from seven Egyptian governorates. During winter, 28 samples with a ratio of 42.2% (28/66) were collected and shown to be H5N8 infected duck flocks. During spring 22 samples with a ratio of 19.8% (22/66), respectively. During summer nine samples with a ratio of 13.3% (9/58). During Autumn six samples with a ratio of 9% (9/6). The geographical distribution and seasonal incidence of H5N8 infection in duck farms were summarized in in Table 2 and shown in Fig. 2.

 

Table 3: Amino acid and Nucleotide sequences identity of HA gene of HPAI H5N8 isolates with HPAI H5N1 and HPAI H5N8 strains circulating in Egypt, other countries and avian influenza vaccines used in cross HI test during the study:

 

Viruses isolation, identification and Genetic characterization.

According to the results of RT- qPCR, detection of HPAI H5N8 possessed only 66 positive samples out of 100. Virus isolation and propagation were done by intra-allantoic inoculation of 9-11 day old SPF ECE, then incubated at 37 °C for 3-5 days. The harvested allantoic fluids were tested for virus hemagglutination action by HA and HI with specific antisera against AI-(H5N8 and H5N1), NDV, and EDS virus, which gave positive results with H5N8 only, while gave negative results with NDV and EDS. One sample was selected for isolation from Giza governorate, A/Duck/Egypt/SA1/2020 (H5N8), according to the year examined, mortality rate, positive results of RT- qPCR with low Ct value (H5 and N8 were 15 and 20 respectively), and seasonal incidence. HA and HI were applied on the selected sample against H5N1, NDV and EDS, in addition to RT-PCR for H5N8, H5N1 and NDV, for more confirmation of the purity of the sample. The sequence was generated for HA gene segments for an Egyptian H5N8 isolate. The obtained sequence was submitted to the GenBank under accession number OM049467. The Molecular characterization revealed that the HA cleavage site of the isolate A/Duck/Egypt/SA1/2020(H5N8) had a multiple basic amino acid motifs “PLREKRRKR/GLF”. which referred to HPAIV H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b by phylogenic analysis (Fig.3), resembling the Egyptian isolates from 2016 – 2020 with no major genetic differences. The similarity between the isolates in this study was shown in (Table 3), H5N8 isolate showed a similarity between the other Egyptian isolates (2016 - 2019) ranging from (90.6% - to 97.8%) and this cluster includes other H5N8 strains recently isolated from Asia (Eastern China, Korea) and from Europe (Denmark, England and France) with amino acid identity percent with each other ranging from (95.5% - to 96.6%), and Russia (Moscow) with amino acid identity percent with each other (96.1%). The amino acid identity percent between the local vaccinal strains and the field isolates was ranging from (95.8% - to 96.4%). While H5N1 vaccinal strain showed relativity low distinct range ranging from (88.6% - to 92.6%).

Gross lesions

Gross lesions in affected ducks included generalized congestion involving trachea, lungs, heart, liver, pancreas, intestine, spleen, kidneys and brain). Necrotic splenitis and pancreatitis were evident. Individual cases showed air sacculitis and fibrinous pericarditis indicative for secondary bacterial infection. Hepatic congestion with distended gall bladder were observed (Fig.4).

 

Histopathological findings

The microscopic examination of tissues from AIV H5N8 infected ducks revealed severe histopathological alterations involving different organs. The histopathological alterations in the trachea were characterized by thickening of tracheal mucosa with deciliation, there was congestion blood vessels and interstitial edema. Generalized congestion of pulmonary vasculatures with perivascular edema, resulting in distension of interlobular spaces. The primary bronchi and parabronchus showed severe congestion of capillaries in parabronchi associated with focal mononuclear cell infiltration and hemorrhages (Figs. 5a &b). The heart showed remarkable histopathological changes, the sub-epicardial tissue showed marked thickening, edema and hemorrhage admixed with few mononuclear cells (Fig.5c). The cardiac myofibers in epicardial area showed intermuscular hemorrhage, edema and congested blood vessels (Fig.5d). Interstitial mononuclear cells infiltration was seen. Fibrinous pericarditis was detected in individual cases characterized by great thickening of the pericardium with eosinophilic fibrin and necrotic debris infiltrated by heterophils and macrophages. Regarding liver, the microscopic examination of liver from the affected cases revealed portal and sinusoidal congestion with vacuolization of hepatocellular cytoplasm (Fig.6a). Sinusoidal lymphocytosis was detected (Fig.6b). Necroapoptotic reaction of hepatocytes was evident (Fig.6c). Microscopic examination of pancreas revealed multifocal necrosis of its acini, dense eosinophilic cytoplasm with cell debris (Fig.6d), and lymphocytic cell infiltration in pancreatic acini. There was vacuolization and necroapotosis of exocrine acini were observed (Fig.6e). Congestion of the pancreatic blood vessels was detected. Histopathological examination of the duodenum showed severe ulcerative and hemorrhagic enteritis, characterized by hemorrhage at mucosal luminal surface, desquamation and necrosis on enterocytes, edema of lamina propria infiltrated by mononuclear cells. Severe congestion of blood capillaries in lamina propria extending into submucosa and serosa (Fig.6f). Necrotic splenitis was the main histopathological alteration in spleen of affected ducks. The spleen showed severe congestion of splenic vessels and sinusoids (Fig.7a). Diffuse lymphoid depletion and necrosis (Fig.7b) with fibrinoid necrosis and hyalinization of splenic ellipsoids were evident (Fig.7c). Reticuloendothelial hyperplasia, lymphocytolysis comprising the lymphoid follicles and bursal dependent lymphoid follicle were detected (Fig.7d). The kidney showed congestion of large vessels and peritubular capillaries associated with vacuolization and necrosis of renal tubular epithelium, accumulation of cellular and proteineous cast in tubular lumina were detected.

Concerning brain, the histopathological hallmarks are evident in cerebral vasculatures. Severe congestion and microthrombosis of blood vessels with endothelial capillary proliferation in the brain tissue were detected (Fig.8a), the lesion associated with spongiosis, encephalomalacia and gliosis of cerebral neuropil (Fig.8b). There was neuronal degeneration of large pyramidal neurons in cerebellar nucleus (Fig.8c). Picture of non-suppurative encephalitis was observed mainly in cerebral cortex , the lesion was characterized by vasculitis, lymphocytic infiltration in vascular wall, perivascular lymphocytic cuffing, neuronal degeneration and microthrombosis (Figs. 8d - f).

 

Immunohistochemical Findings

AI antigen was detected in the different tissues. The expression of viral antigen was detected in tracheal mucosal epithelium and in capillary endothelium of parabronchial capillaries and pulmonary macrophages (Fig.9a). The cardiac myofibers showed strong expression of viral antigen (Fig.9b) in addition to antigen expression in vascular endothelium of large b.v (Fig.9c). Strong positive immune staining of viral antigen was detected in exocrine pancreatic acini and intestinal crypt epithelium of duodenum (Fig.9d). Positive staining of the scattered lymphocytes was detected in the spleen (Fig.9e), Further, expression of viral antigen was detected in cerebral vascular endothelium, neurons and glia cells (Fig.9f).

 

Discussion

The present work aimed to study the incidence, genetic and pathological characterization of HPAI subtype H5N8 in naturally infected ducks in Egyptian farms between 2020-2021. Various surveys were conducted to estimate the prevalence of the disease in different governorates in Egypt. The High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a contagious avian disease, causing significant economic deficit in the poultry production and a potential intimidate for the public health (Neumann, 2015). Domestic waterfowl can act as an intermediate key in the transmission of avian influenza among birds (Li et al., 2004), have been implicated in the dissemination and evolution of H5N8 HPAIV (Hill et al., 2015).

In the present study, most of the examined samples were collected from domestic ducks suffering from nervous symptoms with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms. Some die with high mortalities without producing any signs of clinical disease and these results agree with Kandeil et al. (2017), Anis et al. (2018) and Punnoose et al. (2021). Such observation was explained by Evseev & Magor 2019 who stated that ducks can limit the duration of the response against H5 HPAI infection, particularly of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression via induction of interferon type I and antiviral interferon-stimulated genes, including RIG-I pathway. Meanwhile Pohlmann et al. (2017) reported that most affected birds were found dead or exhibited severe clinical signs or sudden deaths. Punnoose et al. (2021) stated that H5 HPAIVs of Asian origin have evolved from insignificant or mild respiratory infections to some strains, including H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b, causing severe clinical signs and lesions with high mortalities in ducks.

The present study revealed that Giza governorate had a higher infection rate than other governorates with a ratio of 33 %, while other governorates, Sharqia, Menia, Dakahlia, Fayoum, Assiut, and Behera recorded an infection ratio of 16%, 8%,3 %, 3 %, 2%, and 1%, respectively. Samples in our study were collected in different seasons. Based on that, the obtained results revealed that the high incidence was in winter with an incidence of 42.4% more than in autumn, spring and summer as they recorded an incidence of 9%, 19.8%, and 13.6% respectively. According to Kandeil et al. (2019), who stated that H5N8 positive samples were mostly detected in colder weather. This cold weather favours the survival of the virus, in addition to the high ammonia levels with bad ventilation in multiple commercial farms, causing further complications and increase the infection risk (Seififi et al., 2010). Additionally, samples were collected from different types of ducks; Sudani, Pekin, and Muscovy. Consequently, we detected that Sudani ducks were highly susceptible to infection with HPAI H5N8 with a ratio of 71.2% while other types Pekin and Muscovy recorded infection ratios of 21.2% and 7.57%, respectively. On the other hand, Sultan et al. (2019) reported that Muscovy ducks seem to be more liable to clade 2.3.4.4b HPAI H5N8 infection compared to other breeds, and this is may be due to the innate immunological difference of ducks or their adaptation level, and the difference in the antibody levels associated with vaccination, in addition to the antigenic evolution and adaptability of the H5N1 and H5N8 viruses (Cagle et al., 2012; Pantin & Suarez 2013). In the current study, number of samples collected from Sudani ducks was 47 in comparison to Pekin and Muscovy ducks which were 14 and 5 respectively, and this was attributes to marketing purposes. RT-qPCR is a confirmed molecular technique used worldwide as a diagnostic tool for most poultry viral diseases including the H5 Avian influenza virus (Ghafouri et al., 2017). All H5Nx strains detected in ducks were characterized as HPAI H5N8. In the present study, one sample was selected upon the year examined, mortality rate, and positive results of RT- qPCR with low Ct value, seasonal and geographical distribution. The selected sample was from Giza governorate and collected in 2020, and for molecular characterization, the selected sample was isolated and propagated in specific pathogen-free Eggs (SPF ECEs) as AIV was completely adapted in 9-11 day old SPF ECE via allantoic sac inoculation route (Sedeik et al., 2018). In the isolated sample (A/Duck/Egypt/SA1/2020H5N8), amino acid sequences of the HA cleavage site revealed polybasic amino acid which is characteristic of HPAIV, clade 2.3.4.4. The amino acid sequences of HA cleavage of H5N8 isolates were (PLREKRRKR/GLF), are similar to those previously reported by (Kandeil et al., 2017; Anis et al., 2018; Shehata et al., 2019; Hassan et al., 2020).

To examine the correlation between the genetic distances of the currently circulating HPAI H5N8, we performed a phylogenetic relationship between the isolated sample A/Duck/Egypt/SA1/2020(H5N8) and other AIV isolates based on the HA gene nucleotide sequence. The HPAI H5N8 isolate is clustered in clade 2.3.4.4b with HA amino acid identity percent ranging from (89.6% - to 92.6%) with the Egyptian isolates, in agreement with Hamouda et al. (2019); Shehata et al. (2019). H5N8 isolate shows a similarity between the other H5N8 isolates, from Asia (Eastern China, Korea) and from Europe (Denmark, England and France) during 2016-to 2020 with HA amino acid identity percent ranging from (95.5% - to 96.6%), and Russia (Moscow) with amino acid identity percent with each other (96.1%). Our result is analogous to those Kandeil et al. (2017); Selim et al. (2017) & Yehia et al. (2018). The amino acid identity percent between the local vaccinal strains and the field isolates was ranging from (95.8% - to 96.4%). While H5N1 vaccinal strain showed relativity low distinct range ranging from (88.6% - to 92.6%), which agreed with the results of Kandeil et al. (2017).

The pathological evaluation of infected ducks revealed gross lesions that was mainly restricted to congestion and hemorrhage involving different organs including lung, heat, liver, pancreas, spleen, kidney and brain. The histopathological alterations were mainly necrotic and acute inflammatory in nature in addition to vascular reaction associated with edema and hemorrhage. These reactions were attributed to direct viral replication in these tissues as confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Necrotic and inflammatory reactions induced by virus indicated the systemic dissemination of the virus in the infected ducks resulting in of death in infected birds. The present data confirmed that H5N8 is highly pathogenic in ducks while mortalities is related to the high cleavability of heamagglutinin (HA) facilitate the virus entry through the vasculature as discussed by Feldmann et al. (2000). Moreover, Christine  et al. (2008) reported that direct viral replication and dysregulation of cytokines and chemokines in addition to upregulation of tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligands were involved in the pathogenesis of virulent strains of avian influenza. The present study showed that the isolated strain of AIV is highly pathogenic in domestic ducks as reflected by severe developed pathological alterations involving different tissues. Gaide et al. (2022) stated that ducks developed relatively mild viral RNA load compared with chicken. On contrary, Chicken developed severe lesions in different organs after experimental infection by HPAI H5N8 that are able to replicate systemically in all organs (Yehia et al., 2022).

The respiratory lesions included tracheal deciliation, congestion and mild inflammatory reaction is related to residence of viral antigen in tracheal epithelium as detected by expression of viral antigen in tracheal epithelium. Pulmonary lesions were restricted to severe vascular with mild inflammatory reactions similar findings was described by Brojer et al. (2009). The present data revealed that the main lesions in the heart were subepicardial edema with intermyocardial edema and hemorrhages associated with necrosis of myofibers accompanied by few lymphohistiocytic infiltrations, The pathological picture is related to direct viral replication in cardiac myofibers as confirmed by immunolabelling of viral antigen Previous investigation confirmed the ability of HPAI to cardiac myocytes (Swayne et al., 2013; Núñez et al., 2016; Punnoose et al., 2021). In addition, Abdo et al., 2014 observed viral antigens in necrotic cardiac myocytes by immunolabelling. Microscopic examination of liver sections from the affected cases revealed necroapoptotic reaction involving hepatocytes with sinusoidal lymphocytosis and severe congestion. These lesions are related to residence of viral antigen in vascular endothelium and in hepatocellular cytoplasm as confirmed by immunostaining as described by Brojer et al. (2009) and Abou-Rawash et al. (2012). Microscopically, the pancreas showed necrotic pancreatitis characterized by vacuolations and multifocal necrosis with lymphocytic cell infiltration in pancreatic acini which is similar to Núñez et al. (2016) who reported that pancreatic necrosis was seen in in ducks. Outbreaks Studies given by Abdo et al. (2014) and Mohammed et al. (2018) confirmed the viral residence in necrotic pancreatic acini.

Severe necrotic reaction with hemorrhage were detected in duodenum with presence of strong expression of viral antigen in duodenal crypts, this residence of viral antigen in intestinal crypt may be related to villous atrophy and profound diarrhea. AIVs isolated from domestic ducks can replicate in the intestinal tract and this was attributed to their ability to maintain sialidase activities under lower pH conditions (Takahashi et al., 2001; Evseev & Magor, 2019).

In the current study, the spleen in the affected ducks exhibited necrotic splenitis with severe congestion and fibrinoid necrosis of splenic arterioles associated with lymphoid depletions. The immunohistochemical localization of virus in splenic endothelium is related to developed necrotic reaction as reported by Abou-Rawash et al. (2012). Congestion of peritubular capillaries with mild degeneration of renal tubules, and discrete foci of tubular epithelial necrosis were detected in the kidney of the affected ducks, the renal lesions may be attributed to systemic inflammatory cytokines expression (Kwon et al., 2005; Abou-Rawash et al., 2012).

Brain of ducks infected by AIV H5N8 showed acute inflammatory lesions including nonsuppurative encephalitis characterized by gliosis, brain edema, and congestion, explaining the nervous manifestation in the affected birds. Similar lesions were reported in subtypes H5N2-, H5N6- and H5N8-infected domestic ducks (Banyai et al., 2016). In addition to the presence of microthrombosis, cerebral lesions could be claimed to direct viral replication in capillary endothelium resulting in endothelial swelling, injury and subsequent thrombosis, vasculitis and related malacia as confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The observed lesions indicated a high neuro-and endothelio viral tropism. The residence of viral antigen in capillary endothelium, neurons and glia cells was confirmed by immunohistochemistry as described by Mohammed et al. (2018). The neuro invasive nature of the H5N8 strain was previously reported by Banyai et al. (2016), who found in the brains of inoculated ducks with H5N6 and H5N8 higher viral titers compared with those of the H5N2 infected ones.

Conclusion

The present study showed great susceptibility of domestic ducks to natural infection by HPAI subtype H5N8, with seasonal and breed difference. The wide dissemination of virus in various organs and localization in specific cells were related to developed histopathological lesions in theses tissues, and this confirm the pantropic nature of the virus in ducks.

acknowledgements

We would like to thank all colleagues and coworkers in the Pathology department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt, for their technical support.

Conflict of interest

The authors declared that they have no conflict of interests.

novelty statement

This paper is focused on the recent outbreaks occurred in duck farms that were infected with H5N8 Influenza in Egypt and representing antigenic correlation between the virus residence and developed pathology in different tissue of infected ducks.

authors contribution

Sara.M.H, Formal Analysis and investigation,paper, Writing– original draft preparation writing, Faten fathy: Microscopic analysis Writing– review and editing, Elshaimaa Ismael: Propation of virus in ECH, HA and HI tests, Mohamed Tarek: Perform phylogenetic analysis. Fatma Abdel Reheem: Perform rPCR, Rawhia Esawy Doghaim: Conceptualization and supervision and revision.

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