In necropsy findings for suspected HPAI, which finding would be most supportive?

In necropsy findings for suspected HPAI, which finding would be most supportive?

• A. Petechial hemorrhages in fat and tracheitis
• B. Large liver with pale necrosis
• C. Severe enteritis with bloody mucus
• D. Heart enlargement and pericardial effusion

Answer: (A)

Disseminated vascular damage with respiratory tract involvement is what necropsy findings for suspected HPAI strongly support. Petechial hemorrhages in fat reflect capillary leakage and widespread small-vessel damage caused by a systemic viral infection, a pattern often seen with highly pathogenic avian influenza. Tracheitis fits the virus’s respiratory tropism, indicating airway involvement typical of influenza in birds. Other listed lesions are less specific: a large liver with pale necrosis can arise from various toxic or metabolic processes; severe enteritis with bloody mucus points to enteric pathogens rather than a primary influenza infection; heart enlargement with pericardial effusion can occur with several conditions and isn’t as closely tied to HPAI as fat petechiae plus tracheitis.

Disseminated vascular damage with respiratory tract involvement is what necropsy findings for suspected HPAI strongly support. Petechial hemorrhages in fat reflect capillary leakage and widespread small-vessel damage caused by a systemic viral infection, a pattern often seen with highly pathogenic avian influenza. Tracheitis fits the virus’s respiratory tropism, indicating airway involvement typical of influenza in birds.

Other listed lesions are less specific: a large liver with pale necrosis can arise from various toxic or metabolic processes; severe enteritis with bloody mucus points to enteric pathogens rather than a primary influenza infection; heart enlargement with pericardial effusion can occur with several conditions and isn’t as closely tied to HPAI as fat petechiae plus tracheitis.