Poultry

Genetic Basis of Resistance to Avian Influenza

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Abstract

Two high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks haveseverelyaffected the poultry industryon the American continentwithin the last four years; a 2012 H7N3 outbreak in Mexicoand a 2015 H5N2 outbreak in the US. Blood samples were collectedfrom survivors of each outbreak plus age and genetics matched non-affected controls. As surviving birds could contain natural genetic mutation(s) that make them resistant to HPAI,the goal of the present study was to identify genomic regions associated with resistance to HPAIand to determinewhether resistance regionsare the same fordifferent virus strains.Four genomic regions were identified for the H5N2 outbreak and fivedifferent regions were identified for the H7N3 outbreak. The apparentdifferent genomic regions of resistance for different virus strains is achallengefor the poultry industry, as it requires amore diversified strategyfor improving resistance toAI.

How to Cite:

Drobik-Czwarno, W., Fulton, J., Arango, J., Settar, P., Wolc, A. & Dekkers, J. C., (2017) “Genetic Basis of Resistance to Avian Influenza”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 14(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-341