The injury of type II alveolocytes at experimental avian influenza A (H5N1) infection in different animal species
Ultrastructural examination of type II alveolocytes was performed in different animal species (chickens, geese, mice, cats) challenged with highly pathogenic influenza A (H5N1) virus. Structural changes in lamellar bodies were found to be characteristic of type II alveolocytes starting from day 1 post infection in all animal species. Changes in lamellar body structure reflected disturbances in the surfactant synthesis, secretion and utilization. Overgrowth of multiple thread-shape processes on the apical cell surface was the ultrustructural characteristic of influenza infection. Type II alveolocytes play a key role in the development of respiratory distress syndrome at influenza.