Therapeutic Evaluation Of The Antiviral Activity Of Azadirachta indica In Comparison To Amantadine Hydrochloride Against Avian Influenza Virus Infection In Ducks

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Avian & Rabbit Med. Dept., Faculty of Vet. Med., Zagazig Univ. Zagazig, Egypt.

2 Nutrition Dep., Zagazig Univ. Hospitals, Zagazig Univ. Zagazig, Egypt.

Abstract

Twelve AI isolates were isolated in ECE from diseased backyard ducks showed signs of depression, anorexia, greenish or watery diarrhea, severe neurological signs, and high mortalities. All isolates were identified using HIT to be H5. RT-PCR was used for detection and subtyping of AIVs using specific pairs of primers to amplify the hemagglutinin gene of subtype H5 and neuraminidase gene of subtype N1. Analysis of RNA extracted yielded positive reactions of correct size as H5 subtype specific primers (545 bp) and N1 subtype specific primers (616 bp). The efficacy of Azadirachta indicaagainst AIV infection was evaluated in comparison toamantadinehydrochloride in 2-wk-old balady ducks inoculated with 0.1ml×106 EID50/ml of AIV H5N1. Aqueous Neem leaves extract provided ducks with 100% protection level, whereas neither clinical signs nor mortalities were recorded, while Adamine® presented 70% only.

Main Subjects