Detection and Genetic Characteristics of H9N2 Avian Influenza Viruses from Live Poultry Markets in Hunan Province,China

H9N2 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are highly prevalent and of low pathogenicity in domestic poultry. These viruses show a high genetic compatibility with other subtypes of AIVs and have been involved in the genesis of H5N1, H7N9 and H10N8 viruses causing severe infection in humans. The first case of human infection with H9N2 viruses in Hunan province of China have been confirmed in November 2013 and identified that H9N2 viruses from live poultry markets (LPMs) near the patient’s house could be the source of infection. However, the prevalence, distribution and genetic characteristics of H9N2 viruses in LPMs all over the province are not clear. We collected and tested 3943 environmental samples from 380 LPMs covering all 122 counties/districts of Hunan province from February to April, 2014. A total of 618 (15.7%) samples were H9 subtype positive and 200 (52.6%) markets in 98 (80.3%) counties/districts were contaminated with H9 subtype AIVs. We sequenced the entire coding sequences of the genomes of eleven H9N2 isolates from environmental samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the gene sequences of the H9N2 AIVs exhibited high homology (94.3%-100%). All eleven viruses were in a same branch in the phylogenetic trees and belonged to a same genotype. No gene reassortment had been found. Molecular analysis demonstrated that all the viruses had typical molecular characteristics of contemporary avian H9N2 influenza viruses. Continued surveillance of AIVs in LPMs is warranted for identification of further viral evolution and novel reassortants with pandemic potential.     

我国部分地区H9亚型禽流感病毒血凝素基因序列比较与遗传发生关系分析

为从分子水平掌握我国H9亚型AIV的遗传变异情况和流行规律,本研究汇集近年来从我国12个省、市、自治区的发病鸡群中分离到的23株H9亚型禽流感病毒,通过RT-PCR方法和核苷酸序列测定获得了23个毒株的HA基因cDNA核苷酸序列。核苷酸和推导的氨基酸序列同源性比较结果表明,这些毒株HA基因的核苷酸序列同源性为94．1％～100％,氨基酸序列同源性为95．4％～100%;将这23个毒株和来自亚洲及世界其它地区的另外31株的HA基因cDNA序列同源性进行比较发现,分离自香港的HK170499株与日本的2个毒株关系较近;氨基酸序列分析发现,CKGS199、CKTJ196、CKTJ296、CKSH300和CKBJ197五个毒株各发生了一个潜在的糖基化位点的丢失。54株H9亚型AIVHA基因55bp～1152bp的氨基酸序列分析发现,裂解位点尽管有10种基序,但本研究中的23株和近年来从我国大陆和香港地区的分离的毒株则均为RSSR↓GLF;构成受体结合位点的191位氨基酸有一个规律,即所有中国大陆毒株与部分香港毒株都为N,其它毒株均为H,141aa～143aa处的糖基化位点有与191aa类似的规律,即：凡是191aa为N的毒株,该处均为NVS（CKBJ194除外）,凡是191aa为H的毒株,则该处均为NVT;遗传发生关系分析,中国大陆毒株处于欧亚谱系的第一支。本研究结果表明近年来我国鸡群中H9N2亚型禽流感病毒的感染流行可能有一个共同的来源,这为制定防治该亚型禽流感流行的有效对策提供了重要的科学依据。     

Enhanced pathogenicity and transmissibility of H9N2 avian influenza virus in mammals by hemagglutinin mutations combined with PB2-627K

H9N2 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) circulate globally in poultry and have become the dominant AIV subtype in China in recent years. Previously, we demonstrated that the H9N2 virus (A/chicken/Eastern China/SDKD1/2015) naturally harbors a mammalian-adaptive molecular factor (627K) in the PB2 protein and is weakly pathogenic in mice. Here, we focused on new markers for virulence in mammals. A mouse-adapted H9N2 virus was serially passaged in mice by infecting their lungs. As expected, infected mice showed clinical symptoms and died at passage six. A comparison between the wild-type and mouse-adapted virus sequences identified amino acid substitutions in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein. H9N2 viruses with the T187P ?+ ?M227L double mutation exhibited an increased affinity to human-type (SAα2,6Gal) receptors and significantly enhanced viral attachment to mouse lung tissues, which contributed to enhancing viral replication and virulence in mice. Additionally, HA with the T187P ?+ ?M227L mutation enabled H9N2 viral transmission in guinea pigs via direct contact. AIV pathogenicity in mice is a polygenic trait. Our results demonstrated that these HA mutations might be combined with PB2-627K to significantly increase H9N2 virulence in mice, and this enhanced virulence was achieved in other H9N2 AIVs by generating the same combination of mutations. In summary, our study identified novel key elements in the HA protein that are required for H9N2 pathogenicity in mice and provided valuable insights into pandemic preparedness against emerging H9N2 strains.     

Novel Genotypes of H9N2 Influenza A Viruses Isolated from Poultry in Pakistan Containing NS Genes Similar to Highly Pathogenic H7N3 and H5N1 Viruses

The impact of avian influenza caused by H9N2 viruses in Pakistan is now significantly more severe than in previous years. Since all gene segments contribute towards the virulence of avian influenza virus, it was imperative to investigate the molecular features and genetic relationships of H9N2 viruses prevalent in this region. Analysis of the gene sequences of all eight RNA segments from 12 viruses isolated between 2005 and 2008 was undertaken. The hemagglutinin (HA) sequences of all isolates were closely related to H9N2 viruses isolated from Iran between 2004 and 2007 and contained leucine instead of glutamine at position 226 in the receptor binding pocket, a recognised marker for the recognition of sialic acids linked α2–6 to galactose. The neuraminidase (NA) of two isolates contained a unique five residue deletion in the stalk (from residues 80 to 84), a possible indication of greater adaptation of these viruses to the chicken host. The HA, NA, nucleoprotein (NP), and matrix (M) genes showed close identity with H9N2 viruses isolated during 1999 in Pakistan and clustered in the A/Quail/Hong Kong/G1/97 virus lineage. In contrast, the polymerase genes clustered with H9N2 viruses from India, Iran and Dubai. The NS gene segment showed greater genetic diversity and shared a high level of similarity with NS genes from either H5 or H7 subtypes rather than with established H9N2 Eurasian lineages. These results indicate that during recent years the H9N2 viruses have undergone extensive genetic reassortment which has led to the generation of H9N2 viruses of novel genotypes in the Indian sub-continent. The novel genotypes of H9N2 viruses may play a role in the increased problems observed by H9N2 to poultry and reinforce the continued need to monitor H9N2 infections for their zoonotic potential.     

Establishment of influenza A virus (H6N1) in minor poultry species in southern China

An H6N1 virus, A/teal/Hong Kong/W312/97 (W312), was isolated during the "bird flu" incident in Hong Kong in 1997. Genetic analysis suggested that this virus might be the progenitor of the A/Hong Kong/156/97 (HK/97) H5N1 virus, as seven of eight gene segments of those viruses had a common source. Continuing surveillance in Hong Kong showed that a W312-like virus was prevalent in quail and pheasants in 1999; however, the further development of H6N1 viruses has not been investigated since 2001. Here we report influenza virus surveillance data collected in southern China from 2000 to 2005 that show that H6N1 viruses have become established and endemic in minor poultry species and replicate mainly in the respiratory tract. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that all H6N1 isolates had W312-like hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes. However, reassortment of internal genes between different subtype virus lineages, including H5N1, H9N2, and other avian viruses, generated multiple novel H6N1 genotypes in different types of poultry. These novel H6N1/N2 viruses are double, triple, or even quadruple reassortants. Reassortment between a W312-like H6N1 virus and an A/quail/Hong Kong/G1/97 (HK/97)-like H9N2 virus simultaneously generated novel H6N2 subtype viruses that were persistent in poultry. Molecular analyses suggest that W312-like viruses may not be the precursors of HK/97 virus but reassortants from an HK/97-like virus and another unidentified H6 subtype virus. These results provide further evidence of the pivotal role of the live poultry market system of southern China in generating increased genetic diversity in influenza viruses in this region.     

Genetic and Molecular Characterization of H9N2 Avian Influenza Viruses Isolated from Live Poultry Markets in Hubei Province,Central China, 2013–2017

H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus(AIV) is an influenza A virus that is widely spread throughout Asia, where it jeopardizes the poultry industry and provides genetic material for emerging human pathogens. To better understand the epidemicity and genetics of H9 subtype AIVs, we conducted active surveillance in live poultry markets(LPMs) in Hubei Province from 2013 to 2017. A total of 4798 samples were collected from apparent healthy poultry and environment. Realtime RT-PCR revealed that the positivity rate of influenza A was 26.6%(1275/4798), of which the H9 subtype accounted for 50.3%(641/1275) of the positive samples. Of the 132 H9N2 viral strains isolated, 48 representative strains were subjected to evolutionary analysis and genotyping. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all H9N2 viral genes had 91.1%–100% nucleotide homology, clustered with genotype 57, and had high homology with human H9N2 viruses isolated from2013 to 2017 in China. Using a nucleotide divergence cutoff of 95%, we identified ten distinct H9N2 genotypes that continued to change over time. Molecular analysis demonstrated that six H9N2 isolates had additional potential glycosylation sites at position 218 in the hemagglutinin protein, and all isolates had I155 T and Q226 L mutations. Moreover, 44 strains had A558 V mutations in the PB2 protein and four had E627 V mutations, along with H9N2 human infection strains A/Beijing/1/2016 and A/Beijing/1/2017. These results emphasize that the H9N2 influenza virus in Hubei continues to mutate and undergo mammalian adaptation changes, indicating the necessity of strengthening the surveillance of the AIV H9N2 subtype in LPMs.     

H9N2 influenza viruses possessing H5N1-like internal genomes continue to circulate in poultry in southeastern China

The transmission of H9N2 influenza viruses to humans and the realization that the A/Hong Kong/156/97-like (H5N1) (abbreviated HK/156/97) genome complex may be present in H9N2 viruses in southeastern China necessitated a study of the distribution and characterization of H9N2 viruses in poultry in the Hong Kong SAR in 1999. Serological studies indicated that H9N2 influenza viruses had infected a high proportion of chickens and other land-based birds (pigeon, pheasant, quail, guinea fowl, and chukka) from southeastern China. Two lineages of H9N2 influenza viruses present in the live-poultry markets were represented by A/Quail/Hong Kong/G1/97 (Qa/HK/G1/97)-like and A/Duck/Hong Kong/Y280/97 (Dk/HK/Y280/97)-like viruses. Up to 16% of cages of quail in the poultry markets contained Qa/HK/G1/97-like viruses, while about 5% of cages of other land-based birds were infected with Dk/HK/Y280/97-like viruses. No reassortant between the two H9N2 virus lineages was detected despite their cocirculation in the poultry markets. Reassortant viruses represented by A/Chicken/Hong Kong/G9/97 (H9N2) were the major H9N2 influenza viruses circulating in the Hong Kong markets in 1997 but have not been detected since the chicken slaughter in 1997. The Qa/HK/G1/97-like viruses were frequently isolated from quail, while Dk/HK/Y280/97-like viruses were predominately associated with chickens. The Qa/HK/G1/97-like viruses were evolving relatively rapidly, especially in their PB2, HA, NP, and NA genes, suggesting that they are in the process of adapting to a new host. Experimental studies showed that both H9N2 lineages were primarily spread by the aerosol route and that neither quail nor chickens showed evidence of disease. The high prevalence of quail infected with Qa/HK/G1/97-like virus that contains six gene segments genetically highly related to HK/156/97 (H5N1) virus emphasizes the need for surveillance of mammals including humans.     

A survey of avian influenza in tree sparrows in China in 2011

Tree sparrows (Passer montanus) are widely distributed in all seasons in many countries. In this study, a survey and relevant experiments on avian influenza (AI) in tree sparrows were conducted. The results suggested that the receptor for avian influenza viruses (AIVs), SAα2,3Gal, is abundant in the respiratory tract of tree sparrows, and most of the tree sparrows infected experimentally with two H5 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses died within five days after inoculation. Furthermore, no AIVs were isolated from the rectum eluate of 1300 tree sparrows, but 94 serological positives of AI were found in 800 tree sparrows. The serological positives were more prevalent for H5 subtype HPAI (94/800) than for H7 subtype AI (0/800), more prevalent for clade 2.3.2.1 H5 subtype HPAI (89/800) than for clade 2.3.4 (1/800) and clade 7.2 (4/800) H5 subtype HPAI, more prevalent for clade 2.3.2.1 H5 subtype HPAI in a city in southern China (82/800) than in a city in northern China (8/800). The serological data are all consistent with the distribution of the subtypes or clades of AI in poultry in China. Previously, sparrows or other passerine birds were often found to be pathogenically negative for AIVs, except when an AIV was circulating in the local poultry, or the tested passerine birds were from a region near waterfowl-rich bodies of water. Taken together, the data suggest that tree sparrows are susceptible to infection of AIVs, and surveys targeting sparrows can provide good serological data about the circulation of AIVs in relevant regions.     

Phylogenetic and genetic characterization of a 2017 clinical isolate of H7N9 virus in Guangzhou,China during the fifth epidemic wave

Pathogenic H7N9 influenza viruses continue to pose a public health concern. The H7N9 virus has caused five outbreak waves of human infections in China since 2013. In the present study, a novel H7N9 strain (A/Guangdong/8H324/2017) was isolated from a female patient with severe respiratory illness during the fifth wave of the 2017 H7N9 epidemic. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the H7N9 viruses collected during the fifth wave belong to two different lineages: the Pearl River Delta lineage and the Yangtze River Delta lineage. The novel isolate is closely related to the Pearl River Delta H7N9 viruses, which were isolated from patients in Guangdong Province. The novel H7N9 isolate has an insertion of three basic amino acids in the cleavage site of hemagglutinin (HA), which may enhance virulence in poultry. The 2017 isolate also possesses an R292K substitution in the neuraminidase (NA) protein, which confers oseltamivir resistance. This study highlights the pandemic potential of the novel H7N9 virus in mammals; thus, future characterization and surveillance is warranted.     

Continued Evolution of H5N1 Influenza Viruses in Wild Birds,Domestic Poultry,and Humans in China from 2004 to 2009

Despite substantial efforts to control H5N1 avian influenza viruses (AIVs), the viruses have continued to evolve and cause disease outbreaks in poultry and infections in humans. In this report, we analyzed 51 representative H5N1 AIVs isolated from domestic poultry, wild birds, and humans in China during 2004 to 2009, and 21 genotypes were detected based on whole-genome sequences. Twelve genotypes of AIVs in southern China bear similar H5 hemagglutinin (HA) genes (clade 2.3). These AIVs did not display antigenic drift and could be completely protected against by the A/goose/Guangdong/1/96 (GS/GD/1/96)-based oil-adjuvanted killed vaccine and recombinant Newcastle disease virus vaccine, which have been used in China. In addition, antigenically drifted H5N1 viruses, represented by A/chicken/Shanxi/2/06 (CK/SX/2/06), were detected in chickens from several provinces in northern China. The CK/SX/2/06-like viruses are reassortants with newly emerged HA, NA, and PB1 genes that could not be protected against by the GS/GD/1/96-based vaccines. These viruses also reacted poorly with antisera generated from clade 2.2 and 2.3 viruses. The majority of the viruses isolated from southern China were lethal in mice and ducks, while the CK/SX/2/06-like viruses caused mild disease in mice and could not replicate in ducks. Our results demonstrate that the H5N1 AIVs circulating in nature have complex biological characteristics and pose a continued challenge for disease control and pandemic preparedness.The highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses that emerged over a decade ago in southern China have evolved into over 10 distinct phylogenetic clades based on their hemagglutinin (HA) genes. The viruses have spread to over 63 countries and to multiple mammalian species, including humans, resulting in 498 cases of infection and 294 deaths by 6 May 2010 according to the World Health Organization (WHO) (http://www.who.int). To date, none of the different H5N1 clades has acquired the ability to consistently transmit among mammalian species. The currently circulating H5N1 viruses are unique in that they continue to circulate in avian species. All previous highly pathogenic H5 and H7 viruses have naturally “burned out” or were stamped out because of their high pathogenicity in domestic poultry. While there is growing complacency about the potential of H5N1 “bird flu” to attain consistent transmissibility in humans and develop pandemicity, it is worth remembering that we have no knowledge of the time that it took the 1918 Spanish, the 1957 Asian, the 1968 Hong Kong, and the 2009 North American pandemics to develop their pandemic potentials. We may therefore currently be witnessing in real time the evolution of an H5N1 pandemic influenza virus.H5N1 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) were first detected in sick geese in Guangdong province in 1996, and both nonpathogenic and highly pathogenic (HP) H5N1 viruses were described (18). In 1997, H5N1 reassortant viruses that derived the HA gene from A/goose/Guangdong/1/96 (GS/GD/1/96)-like viruses and the other genes from H6N1 and/or H9N2 viruses caused lethal outbreaks in poultry and humans in Hong Kong (6, 7). Since then, long-term active surveillance of influenza viruses in domestic poultry has been performed, and multiple subtypes of influenza viruses have been detected in chickens and ducks in China (16, 19, 37). H5N1 influenza viruses have been repeatedly detected in apparently healthy ducks in southern China since 1999 (4, 13) and were also detected in pigs in Fujian province in 2001 and 2003 (39).Since the beginning of 2004, there have been significant outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza virus infection involving multiple poultry farm flocks in more than 20 provinces in China (2). H5N1 viruses resulted in the deaths of millions of domestic poultry, including chickens, ducks, and geese, as the result of infection or of culling and the deaths of thousands of wild birds (5, 20). Thirty-eight human cases of HP H5N1 infection with 25 fatalities have been associated with direct exposure to infected poultry (WHO; http://www.who.int). Since 2004, the vaccination of domestic poultry has been used for the control of HP H5N1 influenza virus in China. While this strategy has been effective at reducing the incidence of HP H5N1 in poultry and at markedly reducing the number of human cases, it is impossible to vaccinate every single bird due to the enormous poultry population. Outbreaks of H5N1 influenza virus still continue to occur in poultry although at a reduced frequency.A previous study by Smith et al. reported that a “Fujian-like” H5N1 influenza virus emerged in late 2005 and predominated in poultry in southern China (26). Those authors suggested that vaccination may have facilitated the selection of the “Fujian-like” sublineage. Here, we analyzed 51 representative H5N1 viruses that were isolated from wild birds, domestic poultry, and humans from 2004 to 2009 in China and described their genetic evolution and antigenicity profiles. Our results indicate that H5N1 influenza viruses in southern China, including the “Fujian-like” viruses, are complicated reassortants, which could be well protected against by GS/GD/1/96 virus-based vaccines. We documented the emergence of the latest variant of H5N1 (A/chicken/Shanxi/2/06 [CK/SX/2/06]) that broke through existing poultry vaccines. We show that this variant is less pathogenic in mice and ducks than the earlier strains and propose that the variant was not selected by the use of vaccines.     

Genetic and biological properties of H7N9 avian influenza viruses detected after application of the H7N9 poultry vaccine in China

The H7N9 avian influenza virus (AIV) that emerged in China have caused five waves of human infection. Further human cases have been successfully prevented since September 2017 through the use of an H7N9 vaccine in poultry. However, the H7N9 AIV has not been eradicated from poultry in China, and its evolution remains largely unexplored. In this study, we isolated 19 H7N9 AIVs during surveillance and diagnosis from February 2018 to December 2019, and genetic analysis showed that these viruses have formed two different genotypes. Animal studies indicated that the H7N9 viruses are highly lethal to chicken, cause mild infection in ducks, but have distinct pathotypes in mice. The viruses bound to avian-type receptors with high affinity, but gradually lost their ability to bind to human-type receptors. Importantly, we found that H7N9 AIVs isolated in 2019 were antigenically different from the H7N9 vaccine strain that was used for H7N9 influenza control in poultry, and that replication of these viruses cannot, therefore, be completely prevented in vaccinated chickens. We further revealed that two amino acid mutations at positions 135 and 160 in the HA protein added two glycosylation sites and facilitated the escape of the H7N9 viruses from the vaccine-induced immunity. Our study provides important insights into H7N9 virus evolution and control.     

Molecular basis of efficient replication and pathogenicity of H9N2 avian influenza viruses in mice

H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have shown expanded host range and can infect mammals, such as humans and swine. To date the mechanisms of mammalian adaptation and interspecies transmission of H9N2 AIVs remain poorly understood. To explore the molecular basis determining mammalian adaptation of H9N2 AIVs, we compared two avian field H9N2 isolates in a mouse model: one (A/chicken/Guangdong/TS/2004, TS) is nonpathogenic, another one (A/chicken/Guangdong/V/2008, V) is lethal with efficient replication in mouse brains. In order to determine the basis of the differences in pathogenicity and brain tropism between these two viruses, recombinants with a single gene from the TS (or V) virus in the background of the V (or TS) virus were generated using reverse genetics and evaluated in a mouse model. The results showed that the PB2 gene is the major factor determining the virulence in the mouse model although other genes also have variable impacts on virus replication and pathogenicity. Further studies using PB2 chimeric viruses and mutated viruses with a single amino acid substitution at position 627 [glutamic acid (E) to lysine, (K)] in PB2 revealed that PB2 627K is critical for pathogenicity and viral replication of H9N2 viruses in mouse brains. All together, these results indicate that the PB2 gene and especially position 627 determine virus replication and pathogenicity in mice. This study provides insights into the molecular basis of mammalian adaptation and interspecies transmission of H9N2 AIVs.     

Continuing evolution of H9N2 influenza viruses in Southeastern China

H9N2 influenza viruses are panzootic in domestic poultry in Eurasia and since 1999 have caused transient infections in humans and pigs. To investigate the zoonotic potential of H9N2 viruses, we studied the evolution of the viruses in live-poultry markets in Hong Kong in 2003. H9N2 was the most prevalent influenza virus subtype in the live-poultry markets between 2001 and 2003. Antigenic and phylogenetic analysis of hemagglutinin (HA) showed that all of the 19 isolates found except one belonged to the lineage represented by A/Duck/Hong Kong/Y280/97 (H9N2). The exception was A/Guinea fowl/NT184/03 (H9N2), whose HA is most closely related to that of the human isolate A/Guangzhou/333/99 (H9N2), a virus belonging to the A/Chicken/Beijing/1/94-like (H9N2) lineage. At least six different genotypes were recognized. The majority of the viruses had nonstructural (and HA) genes derived from the A/Duck/Hong Kong/Y280/97-like virus lineage but had other genes of mixed avian virus origin, including genes similar to those of H5N1 viruses isolated in 2001. Viruses of all six genotypes of H9N2 found were able to replicate in chickens and mice without adaptation. The infected chickens showed no signs of disease, but representatives of two viral genotypes were lethal to mice. Three genotypes of virus replicated in the respiratory tracts of swine, which shed virus for at least 5 days. These results show an increasing genetic and biologic diversity of H9N2 viruses in Hong Kong and support their potential role as pandemic influenza agents.     

Isolation and identification of swine influenza recombinant A/Swine/Shandong/1/2003(H9N2) virus

Ten influenza virus isolates were obtained from infected pigs from different places in Shandong province showing clinical symptoms from October 2002 to January 2003. All 10 isolates were identified in China's National Influenza Research Center as influenza A virus of H9N2 subtype. The complete genome of one isolate, designated A/Swine/Shandong/1/2003(H9N2), was sequenced and compared with sequences available in GenBank. The results of analyses indicated that the sequence of A/Swine/Shandong/1/2003(H9N2) was similar to those of several chicken influenza viruses and duck influenza viruses recently prevalent in South China. According to phylogenetic analysis of the complete gene sequences, A/Swine/Shandong/1/2003(H9N2) possibly originated from the reassortment of chicken influenza viruses and duck influenza viruses. It was found that the amino acid sequence at the HA cleavage site in Sw/SD/1/2003 is R-S-L-R-G, differing clearly from that of other H9N2 subtype isolates of swine influenza and avian influenza, which is R-S-S-R-G.     

Characterization of H9 subtype influenza viruses from the ducks of southern China: a candidate for the next influenza pandemic in humans?

A current view of the emergence of pandemic influenza viruses envisages a gene flow from the aquatic avian reservoir to humans via reassortment in pigs, the hypothetical "mixing vessel." Understanding arising from recent H5N1 influenza outbreaks in Hong Kong since 1997 and the isolation of avian H9N2 virus from humans raises alternative options for the emergence of a new pandemic virus. Here we report that H9N2 influenza viruses established in terrestrial poultry in southern China are transmitted back to domestic ducks, in which the viruses generate multiple reassortants. These novel H9N2 viruses are double or even triple reassortants that have amino acid signatures in their hemagglutinin, indicating their potential to directly infect humans. Some of them contain gene segments that are closely related to those of A/Hong Kong/156/97 (H5N1/97, H5N1) or A/Quail/Hong Kong/G1/97 (G1-like, H9N2). More importantly, some of their internal genes are closely related to those of novel H5N1 viruses isolated during the outbreak in Hong Kong in 2001. This study reveals a two-way transmission of influenza virus between terrestrial and aquatic birds that facilitates the generation of novel reassortant H9N2 influenza viruses. Such reassortants may directly or indirectly play a role in the emergence of the next pandemic virus.     

H9N2亚型禽流感病毒NS1基因的进化分析

利用RT-PCR方法,扩增了1998～2005年间分离的9株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒的NS1基因,对其进行了序列测定和进化分析.序列分析表明,9株AIV NS1基因完整的阅读框均为654bp,编码217个氨基酸,其核苷酸和推导的氨基酸同源性分别为95.4%～99.8%和93.6%～100%;9株病毒的NS1蛋白的C端均有13个氨基酸的缺失;进化分析表明,9株AIV属于A群,且形成一个独立分支,在该分支中,只有Ck/HN/A3/98株属于Ck/HK/Y280/97-like亚类,且与Ck/BJ/8/98的进化关系最近,其余8株属于Ck/SH/F/98-like亚类,说明Ck/SH/F/98-like亚类的H9N2亚型AIV在中国大陆的鸡群中广泛存在.NS1基因的进化及其编码产物的特性分析,为AIV的毒力变异、致病机制、药物靶位点的设计及鉴别诊断的研究奠定了基础.     

E190V substitution of H6 hemagglutinin is one of key factors for binding to sulfated sialylated glycan receptor and infection to chickens

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) recognize sialic acid linked α2,3 to galactose (SAα2,3Gal) glycans as receptors. In this study, the interactions between hemagglutinins (HAs) of AIVs and sulfated SAα2,3Gal glycans were analyzed to clarify the molecular basis of interspecies transmission of AIVs from ducks to chickens. It was revealed that E190V and N192D substitutions of the HA increased the recovery of viruses derived from an H6 duck virus isolate, A/duck/Hong Kong/960/1980 (H6N2), in chickens. Recombinant HAs from an H6 chicken virus, A/chicken/Tainan/V156/1999 (H6N1), bound to sulfated SAα2,3Gal glycans, whereas the HAs from an H6 duck virus did not. Binding preference of mutant HAs revealed that an E190V substitution is critical for the recognition of sulfated SAα2,3Gal glycans. These results suggest that the binding of the HA from H6 AIVs to sulfated SAα2,3Gal glycans explains a part of mechanisms of interspecies transmission of AIVs from ducks to chickens.     

Phylogenetic analysis of H6 influenza viruses isolated from rosy-billed pochards (Netta peposaca) in Argentina reveals the presence of different HA gene clusters

Until recently, influenza A viruses from wild waterfowl in South America were rarely isolated and/or characterized. To explore the ecology of influenza A viruses in this region, a long-term surveillance program was established in 2006 for resident and migratory water birds in Argentina. We report the characterization of 5 avian influenza viruses of the H6 hemagglutinin (HA) subtype isolated from rosy-billed pochards (Netta peposaca). Three of these viruses were paired to an N2 NA subtype, while the other two were of the N8 subtype. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses of the internal gene segments revealed a close relationship with influenza viruses from South America, forming a unique clade and supporting the notion of independent evolution from influenza A viruses in other latitudes. The presence of NS alleles A and B was also identified. The HA and NA genes formed unique clades separate from North American and Eurasian viruses, with the exception of the HA gene of one isolate, which was more closely related to the North American lineage, suggesting possible interactions between viruses of North American and South American lineages. Animal studies suggested that these Argentine H6 viruses could replicate and transmit inefficiently in chickens, indicating limited adaptation to poultry. Our results highlight the importance of continued influenza virus surveillance in wild birds of South America, especially considering the unique evolution of these viruses.     

H9N2型禽流感病毒传播途径分子机制的研究

选择禽流感病毒(avian influenza virus,AIV)A/chicken/Zhuhai/154/2003(H9N2)(AZHl54)株作为骨架病毒,与来自A/chicken/Guangdong/SS/94(H9N2)(SS94)AIV的NA基因和HA基因进行H9N2亚型重排.动物传播性实验发现:AZH154、SS94和3株重排的H9N2亚型AIV都可以经直接接触途径传播;5株H9N2 AIV都不经过粪便接触传播;且AZH154株和重组的H9N2亚型AZH154/SSHA能经过气溶胶传播.实验结果表明:AIV(H9N2)的NA基因与该病毒气溶胶传播途径有重要关系,即2003年珠海地区AIV(H9N2)的大流行可能是因为病毒获得气溶胶传播途径的特性,且病毒的NA基因发挥了重要的作用.     

Establishment and lineage replacement of H6 influenza viruses in domestic ducks in southern China

Domestic ducks in southern China act as an important reservoir for influenza viruses and have also facilitated the establishment of multiple H6 influenza virus lineages. To understand the continuing evolution of these established lineages, 297 H6 viruses isolated from domestic ducks during 2006 and 2007 were genetically and antigenically analyzed. Phylogenetic analyses showed that group II duck H6 viruses had replaced the previously predominant group I lineage and extended their geographic distribution from coastal to inland regions. Group II H6 virus showed that the genesis and development of multiple types of deletions in the neuraminidase (NA) stalk region could occur in the influenza viruses from domestic ducks. A gradual replacement of the N2 NA subtype with N6 was observed. Significant antigenic changes occurred within group II H6 viruses so that they became antigenically distinguishable from group I and gene pool viruses. Gene exchange between group II H6 viruses and the established H5N1, H9N2, or H6N1 virus lineages in poultry in the region was very limited. These findings suggest that domestic ducks can facilitate significant genetic and antigenic changes in viruses established in this host and highlight gaps in our knowledge of influenza virus ecology and even the evolutionary behavior of this virus family in its aquatic avian reservoirs.