H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b dynamics in experimentally infected calves and cows

Nico Joel Halwe, Konner Cool, Angele Breithaupt, Jacob Schön, Jessie D. Trujillo, Mohammed Nooruzzaman, Taeyong Kwon, Ann Kathrin Ahrens, Tobias Britzke, Chester D. McDowell, Ronja Piesche, Gagandeep Singh, Vinicius Pinho dos Reis, Sujan Kafle, Anne Pohlmann, Natasha N. Gaudreault, Björn Corleis, Franco Matias Ferreyra, Mariano Carossino, Udeni B. R. Balasuriya, Lisa Hensley, Igor Morozov, Lina M. Covaleda, Diego G. Diel, Lorenz Ulrich, Donata Hoffmann, Martin Beer () and Juergen A. Richt ()
Additional contact information
Nico Joel Halwe: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut
Konner Cool: Kansas State University
Angele Breithaupt: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut
Jacob Schön: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut
Jessie D. Trujillo: Kansas State University
Mohammed Nooruzzaman: Cornell University
Taeyong Kwon: Kansas State University
Ann Kathrin Ahrens: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut
Tobias Britzke: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut
Chester D. McDowell: Kansas State University
Ronja Piesche: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut
Gagandeep Singh: Kansas State University
Vinicius Pinho dos Reis: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut
Sujan Kafle: Kansas State University
Anne Pohlmann: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut
Natasha N. Gaudreault: Kansas State University
Björn Corleis: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut
Franco Matias Ferreyra: Kansas State University
Mariano Carossino: Louisiana State University
Udeni B. R. Balasuriya: Louisiana State University
Lisa Hensley: United States Department of Agriculture
Igor Morozov: Kansas State University
Lina M. Covaleda: Cornell University
Diego G. Diel: Cornell University
Lorenz Ulrich: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut
Donata Hoffmann: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut
Martin Beer: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut
Juergen A. Richt: Kansas State University

Nature, 2025, vol. 637, issue 8047, 903-912

Abstract: Abstract In March 2024, highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 infections were reported in dairy cows in Texas, USA1. Rapid dissemination to more than 380 farms in 14 states followed2. Here we provide results of two independent clade 2.3.4.4b experimental infection studies evaluating the oronasal susceptibility to and transmission of a US H5N1 bovine isolate, genotype B3.13 (H5N1 B3.13), in calves, and the susceptibility of lactating cows following direct mammary gland inoculation of either H5N1 B3.13 or a current EU H5N1 wild bird isolate, genotype euDG (H5N1 euDG). Inoculation of the calves resulted in moderate nasal replication and shedding with no severe clinical signs or transmission to sentinel calves. In dairy cows, infection resulted in no nasal shedding, but severe acute infection of the mammary gland with necrotizing mastitis and high fever was observed for both H5N1 isolates. Milk production was rapidly and markedly reduced and the physical condition of the cows was severely compromised. Virus titres in milk rapidly peaked at 109 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) per ml, but systemic infection did not ensue. Notably, the adaptive mutation E627K emerged in the viral polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2) after intramammary replication of H5N1 euDG. Our data suggest that in addition to H5N1 B3.13, other HPAIV H5N1 strains have the potential to replicate in the udder of cows and that milk and milking procedures, rather than respiratory spread, are likely to be the primary routes of H5N1 transmission between cattle.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08063-y

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