Pathomorphological lesions and distribution of viral antigen in birds infected with the pathogenic strain of H5N1 avian influenza virus

The aim of this study was to determine pathomorphological lesions in the organs of birds infected with H5N1 avian influenza virus, presence and distribution of the viral antigen in tissue samples and the degree of their correlation. Examination was conducted on the carcasses of seven mute swans (Cygnus olor) and one domestic rooster (Gallus gallus domesticus). After necropsy, trachea, lungs, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidney and intestine tissues were sampled for histopathology and immunohistochemical examination. LSAB method and H5N1 avian influenza virus nucleoprotein polyclonal antibodies were used for detecting the viral antigen in the examined tissues. The most frequent gross lesions were hemorrhages and necroses of the pancreas. Major histological lesions were multifocal necroses in the pancreas, liver and spleen, non purulent encephalitis, with neuronal dystrophy and neuronophagia. Viral nucleoprotein was immunohistochemically proven in the pancreas, brain, liver, lungs, and in one swan in the kidney. A high correlation between pathomorphological lesions and distribution of the viral antigen was determined.