Conducting influenza virus pathogenesis studies in avian species

Abstract

Avian infection studies with influenza A virus are an important means of assessing host susceptibility, viral pathogenesis, host responses to infection, mechanisms of transmission, and viral pathotype. Complex systems and natural settings may also be explored with carefully designed infection studies. In this chapter, we explore the elements of infection studies, general guidelines for choosing a virus to use, host selection, and many aspects of study design.