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Veterinary Sciences
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Pathogenesis and Immune Responses of Viral Infections in Poultry and...
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Pathogenesis and Immune Responses of Viral Infections in Poultry and Wild Birds

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 2290

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Defang Zhou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271002, China
Interests: viral immunosuppressive diseases in poultry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jing Zhou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271002, China
Interests: avian immunosuppression; pathogenesis; disease control; poultry health management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Viral infections pose major challenges to poultry production and wild bird populations, causing economic losses and ecological risks. Understanding the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis and host immune responses is crucial for disease prevention and control. Recent studies in molecular virology and immunology have revealed how viruses interact with host defenses, influence susceptibility, and drive disease outcomes. This Special Issue focuses on advances in the pathogenesis of avian viral infections and host immune responses, aiming to highlight novel findings that can support vaccine development, antiviral strategies, and improved management practices to protect both poultry and wild bird health.

Dr. Defang Zhou
Dr. Jing Zhou
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • viral infections
  • poultry and wild birds
  • pathogenesis
  • immune responses
  • vaccination strategies

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 18412 KB  
Article
Preliminary Transcriptomic Insights into the Combined Pathogenesis of Avian Leukosis Virus and Salmonella pullorum Co-Infection
by Min Tan, Rong Ran, Cheng Liu, Tao Xie, Keshan Zhang, Qigui Wang, Xi Lan and Haiwei Wang
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(3), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13030283 - 18 Mar 2026
Viewed by 421
Abstract
Co-infection with avian leukemia and Pullorum Disease severely compromises poultry health, yet its pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear. We employed transcriptome sequencing to analyze gene expression changes and enriched pathways in kidney, spleen, and liver tissues of Chongqing Chengkou mountain chickens under single-infection (avian [...] Read more.
Co-infection with avian leukemia and Pullorum Disease severely compromises poultry health, yet its pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear. We employed transcriptome sequencing to analyze gene expression changes and enriched pathways in kidney, spleen, and liver tissues of Chongqing Chengkou mountain chickens under single-infection (avian leukemia virus or Pullorum Disease) and co-infection conditions. Significant differences were observed in the number and pathways of differentially expressed genes between co-infected and single-infected groups. These genes were predominantly enriched in pathways involving extracellular matrix–receptor interactions, PPAR signaling, and calcium ion signaling. RT-qPCR validation confirmed significant upregulation of MAPK10 and SQLE, alongside downregulation of genes such as FOXG1. This study identifies multiple differentially expressed genes and pathways associated with immunity and tumorigenesis, providing crucial molecular insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying avian leukemia and Pullorum Disease co-infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Immune Responses of Viral Infections in Poultry and Wild Birds)
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Review

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21 pages, 4019 KB  
Review
Research Progress on Pathogenesis and Prevention of Avian Leukosis Virus J Subgroup (ALV-J)
by Xinyu Liu and Xi Lan
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(2), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13020152 - 4 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1104
Abstract
As a major retrovirus threatening global poultry farming, Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J (ALV-J) has expanded its host range since discovery, extending from conventional broilers to layer chickens and native breeds. Its diverse oncogenic manifestations, including myeloid leukemia, hemangiomas, and tumors of immune [...] Read more.
As a major retrovirus threatening global poultry farming, Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J (ALV-J) has expanded its host range since discovery, extending from conventional broilers to layer chickens and native breeds. Its diverse oncogenic manifestations, including myeloid leukemia, hemangiomas, and tumors of immune and visceral organs, have led to increased mortality, reduced productivity, and substantial economic losses in the poultry industry. Based on the current body of literature, this review summarizes and synthesizes advances in the etiological characteristics, infection and pathogenic mechanisms, host resistance, and research progress in prevention and control of ALV-J. Accumulating evidence indicates that viral evolution driven by mutations and recombination—particularly in the env gene and LTR regions—plays a central role in host range expansion, tumor diversity, and immune evasion. Current studies consistently demonstrate that host resistance to ALV-J is a multifactorial process involving genetic polymorphism, innate immune responses, and cellular autonomous defense systems. In this context, recent advances in disease-resistant breeding highlight CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing as a promising strategy for blocking viral entry or replication. Despite these advances, major gaps remain, including an incomplete understanding of virus–host interaction networks, limited insight into co-infection-mediated synergistic pathogenicity, the absence of effective vaccines, and insufficient large-scale epidemiological surveillance and purification systems. Addressing these challenges will be critical for the development of integrated prevention strategies and the sustainable control of ALV-J in poultry production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Immune Responses of Viral Infections in Poultry and Wild Birds)
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Other

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11 pages, 1438 KB  
Case Report
A Case of Avian Influenza Co-Infection and Multifactorial Diseases in a Broiler Chicken Farm in Majalengka, West Java, Indonesia
by Tyagita Hartady, Sarah Darmawan Sugandi and Muhammad Viqih
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(4), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040364 - 8 Apr 2026
Viewed by 420
Abstract
Poultry disease outbreaks are frequently multifactorial, involving complex interactions between infectious agents and environmental stressors. This report describes a case of avian influenza (AI) co-infection in a commercial broiler farm located in Majalengka, West Java, Indonesia, where a total of 11,000 birds exhibited [...] Read more.
Poultry disease outbreaks are frequently multifactorial, involving complex interactions between infectious agents and environmental stressors. This report describes a case of avian influenza (AI) co-infection in a commercial broiler farm located in Majalengka, West Java, Indonesia, where a total of 11,000 birds exhibited increased mortality during the grow-out period. Diagnostic investigations included pathological examination, serological testing—such as hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays for AI H5 and H9, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for infectious bronchitis, and rapid testing for Mycoplasma gallisepticum—Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis, fecal flotation for coccidiosis, and an environmental assessment measuring ammonia levels, humidity, and heat stress index. Pathological findings revealed tracheitis, airsacculitis, thymitis, bursitis, perihepatitis, ascites, petechial hemorrhages, nephromegaly, and enteritis, indicating a complex disease process. Serological results demonstrated exposure to AI H9 and H5, with differing infection dynamics, while the uneven distribution of infectious bronchitis antibodies suggested field challenges. Additionally, partial exposure to Mycoplasma gallisepticum was observed. PCR results were negative at the time of sampling, consistent with post-infection phases. Environmental evaluation revealed elevated ammonia levels, excessive humidity, and a high heat stress index. In conclusion, the increased mortality was associated with avian influenza co-infection, complicated by secondary infections and adverse environmental conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenesis and Immune Responses of Viral Infections in Poultry and Wild Birds)
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