A型猪流感病毒山东分离株鉴定及其HA基因序列分析

从山东各地疑似流感发病猪分离到10株流感病毒,经国家流感中心鉴定均为A型流感病毒H9N2亚型。将其中一株Sw／SD／1／2003(H9N2)的血凝素全基因(HA)进行克隆与测序,与GenBank收录的其它猪流感和禽流感H9N2亚型的HA基因进行比较,发现Sw／SD／1／2003(H9N2)的血凝素基因在核苷酸序列方面同广西1999年分离的禽流感毒株Ck／GX／99(H9N2)和2000年云南分离的禽流感毒株Ck／YN／2000(H9N2)的同源性最高;进化树分析表明Sw／SD／1／2003(H9N2)起源于禽源的H9N2亚型流感病毒;Sw／SD／1／2003的HA氨基酸裂解位点与其他H9N2亚型不问,Sw／SD／1／2003的HA氨基酸裂解位点是R-S-L-R-G,而其它猪流感和禽流感H9N2亚型都是R-S-S-R-G。     

一株H3N2亚型猪流感病毒广东分离株的基因组序列分析

从广东省疑似流感发病猪分离到1株H3N2亚型猪流感病毒(A/Swine/Guangdong/01/2005(H3N2)),对其各个基因进行克隆与测序,并与GenBank中收录的其它猪流感、禽流感和人流感的相关基因进行比较,结果表明,HA全基因与广东2003~2004年分离的H3N2猪流感毒株的核苷酸序列同源性在99%以上,与纽约90年代末分离的H3N2人流感毒株同源性在98.5%以上;NA基因与纽约1998~2000年分离的H3N2人流感毒株的核苷酸序列同源性在99%以上;NS基因、M基因的核苷酸序列与H1N1亚型猪流感毒株A/swine/HongKong/273/1994(H1N1)的核苷酸序列同源性较高,分别为97.9%、98.4%,与美洲A/swine/Iowa/17672/1988(H1N1)的核苷酸序列同源性分别为96.7%、97.1%;其他基因的核苷酸序列与H3N2人流感毒株具有很高的同源性。因此,推测其M和NS基因来源于H1N1亚型猪流感病毒,HA、NA及其他基因均来源于H3N2亚型人流感病毒。表明此H3N2亚型猪流感病毒为H3N2亚型人流感病毒和H1N1亚型猪流感病毒经基因重排而得到的重组病毒。     

一株鹅源H5N2亚型高致病性禽流感病毒的分离鉴定及生物学特性分析

分离到一株鹅源 H5N2亚型高致病性禽流感病毒,SPF鸡静脉接种致病指数为2.99,但鸭子对该病毒不敏感．病毒感染小鼠后不致病,但能够在肺内有效复制,表明其具有感染哺乳动物的潜在风险．血凝素(hemagglutinin, HA)蛋白裂解位点上插入有多个连续的碱性氨基酸(-RRRKKR-),从分子上证实这是一株高致病性禽流感病毒．核酸序列比较分析表明,分离的流感病毒HA基因与A/chicken/Hubei/489/2004 (H5N1)同源率达到99.4%,神经氨酸酶(neuraminidase, NA)基因与A/chicken/Jilin/53/01(H9N2)同源率达到99.8%;氨基酸水平上,HA与2004年分离到的A/chicken/Hubei/489/2004(H5N1)、A/swan/Guangxi/307/2004(H5N1)、A/wildduck/Guangdong/314/　2004(H5N1)和A/chicken/Henan/210/2004(H5N1)同源率均为99.3%,NA 与A/chicken/Jilin/53/01(H9N2)同源率为99.6%．进化树分析结果表明,该流感病毒分离株可能是由H5N1和H9N2两个亚型病毒重排而来．     

山东地区16株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒HA基因的序列分析

为了解H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)山东分离株的遗传变异情况,采用RT-PCR技术对16株从山东不同地区分离的H9N2亚型禽流感病毒的HA基因进行扩增、克隆和测序,并对所获得的HA全序列进行同源性和遗传进化分析。结果显示,16个分离株的裂解位点均为RSSR↓GLF,符合低致病性禽流感病毒的分子特征;有7～9个潜在糖基化位点;受体结合位点除198位有变异,其他位点均较保守;234位氨基酸均为L,具有与哺乳动物唾液酸α,2-6受体结合的特征;16个分离株HA基因核苷酸及氨基酸序列同源性分别为96.3%～99.9%和97.1%～99.6%;16个分离株同属于欧亚分支中的A/Duck/Hong Kong/Y280/97亚群。     

High genetic and antigenic similarity between a swine H3N2 influenza A virus and a prior human influenza vaccine virus: A possible immune pressure-driven cross-species transmission

In late April of 2009, a global outbreak of human influenza was reported. The causative agent is a highly unusual reassortant H1N1 influenza virus carrying genetic segments derived from swine, human and avian influenza viruses. In this study, we compared the HA, NA and other gene segments of a swine H3N2 influenza A virus, A/Swine/Guangdong/z5/2003, which was isolated from pigs in 2003 in Guangdong Province, China, to the predominant human and swine H3N2 viruses. We found that the similarity of gene segments of A/Swine/Guangdong/z5/2003 was closer to Moscow/99-like human H3N2 virus than Europe swine H3N2 viruses during 1999-2002. These results suggest that A/Swine/Guangdong/z5/2003 may be porcine in origin, possibly being driven by human immune pressure induced by either natural H3N2 virus infection or use of A/Moscow/10/99 (H3N2)-based human influenza vaccine. The results further confirm that swine may play a dual role as a “shelter” for hosting influenza virus from humans or birds and as a “mixing vessel” for generating reassortant influenza viruses, such as the one causing current influenza pandemic.     

Avian influenza viruses isolated in Japan

Currently, H5N1 influenza viruses remain a serious public health concern in Asia and now in Europe. We showed that the H5N1 viruses associated with outbreaks of HPAI in chickens in Japan were genotypically closely related to an H5N1 virus isolated from a chicken in China in 2003 (genotype V), but were different from those prevalent in southeastern Asia in 2003-2004 (i.e., genotype Z). H5N1 viruses were also isolated from duck meat imported from China during this routine surveillance in May of 2003. We characterized these H5N1 isolates and found that poultry products contaminated with influenza viruses of high pathogenic potential to mammals are a threat to public health even in countries where the virus is not enzootic and represent a possible source of influenza outbreaks in poultry.     

Complete structure of A/duck/Ukraine/63 influenza hemagglutinin gene: animal virus as progenitor of human H3 Hong Kong 1968 influenza hemagglutinin

We have explored the possibility that an animal viral reservoir contained a direct ancestor gene for the H3 hemagglutinin type present in influenza A viruses in humans since 1968. For this purpose, the duck/Ukraine/1/63 hemagglutinin gene was cloned and sequenced. From the comparison of its complete primary structure with that of several human H3 hemagglutinins as well as those of an H2 and an H7 hemagglutinin, we conclude that the duck/Ukraine/63 hemagglutinin sequence fully corroborates its previous identification by immunological and other methods as belonging to the H3 subtype. Moreover, the duck/Ukraine/63 amino acid sequence is more closely related structurally and presumably antigenically to the human Aichi/68 hemagglutinin, which formed the beginning of the H3N2 pandemic in humans, than to that of Victoria/75, which has undergone an additional 7 year drift period in humans. This observation could best be explained by a common ancestor hemagglutinin gene for duck/Ukraine/63 and human Aichi/68. On the basis of silent, accumulated base changes, we estimate that the strain carrying this postulated common progenitor hemagglutinin gene was circulating in the period 1949–1953 in the animal reservoir. This relatively recent divergence, as well as the closer kinship between the duck/Ukraine/63 and the human Aichi/68 hemagglutinin, as compared with the later Victoria/75, strongly suggests that the influenza A virus of the H3N2 subtype circulating in the human population since 1968 has derived its hemagglutinin gene from a strain in the animal reservoir. Undoubtedly, this occurred by reassortment between previously present human H2N2 virus and this animal strain. These results provide support at the molecular level for the general idea that the wide variety of influenza viruses known to be present in animals can serve as a gene reservoir for human influenza A viruses.     

水禽流感病毒分离株A/Duck/Yangzhou/233/02(H6N2)膜蛋白基因遗传进化分析

采用常规的血清学收验和特异性RT-PCR方法对华东地区家养水禽中流感病毒的带毒状况进行两年多的监测,分离鉴定出多株H6亚型禽流感病毒。对其中的一株A/Duck/Yangzhou/233/02(H6N2)(简称DkYZ23302)(H6N2)的表面膜蛋白基因进行了序列测定,并与GenBank中收录的其它序列进行了比较,遗传进化结果表明DkYZ23302的血凝素基因(HA)与近年香港分离的鸭源毒株DkHK346199(H6N1)、中国台湾鸡源毒株CkTaiwanna398的亲缘关系最近;而神经氨酸酶基因(NA)遗传进化分析结果表明DkYZ23302(H6N2)的NA基因起源于禽源H9N2亚型流感病毒,这可能是不同亚型禽流感病毒在水禽体内发生基因重配的结果。DkYZ23302(H6N2)的HA推导的氨基酸剪切位点序列为P-Q-I-E-T-R-D,为典型低致病性禽流感病毒的特征序列,与对SPF鸡的致病力试验相吻合。     

H9N2亚型禽流感病毒基因组的遗传进化分析

2009～2011年从江苏省、湖北省和安徽省等地来源于鸡、鸭、鹌鹑和鸽子的样品中分离鉴定出16株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒。通过反转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)扩增出分离株的全基因片段,并对其进行测序及遗传进化分析。序列分析显示,16株病毒HA基因裂解位点氨基酸序列为P-S-R/K-S-S-R,符合低致病性禽流感的分子特征;226位均为L,具有与哺乳动物唾液酸α,2-6受体结合的特性。M2基因均出现了对金刚烷胺产生耐药性的N31S突变。不同宿主来源的H9亚型AIV的主要分子特征一致。全基因遗传进化分析表明16株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒全基因发生了3配体重组,即以F98亚系AIV为骨架,HA来源于Y280亚系,PB2和M基因来源于G1亚系,形成了2种新的基因型。因此,要加强对H9N2亚型禽流感病毒的监测,密切关注它的重组趋势。     

Origin and Characteristics of Internal Genes Affect Infectivity of the Novel Avian-Origin Influenza A (H7N9) Virus

Background

Human infection with a novel avian-origin influenza A (H7N9) virus occurred continuously in China during the first half of 2013, with high infectivity and pathogenicity to humans. In this study, we investigated the origin of internal genes of the novel H7N9 virus and analyzed the relationship between internal genes and infectivity of the virus.

Methodology and Principal findings

We tested the environmental specimens using real-time RT-PCR assays and isolated five H9N2 viruses from specimens that were positive for both H7 and H9. Results of recombination and phylogeny analysis, performed based on the entire sequences of 221 influenza viruses, showed that one of the Zhejiang avian H9N2 isolates, A/environment/Zhejiang/16/2013, shared the highest identities on the internal genes with the novel H7N9 virus A/Anhui/1/2013, ranging from 98.98% to 100%. Zhejiang avian H9N2 isolates were all reassortant viruses, by acquiring NS gene from A/chicken/Dawang/1/2011-like viruses and other five internal genes from A/brambling/Beijing/16/2012-like viruses. Compared to A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9), the homology on the NS gene was 99.16% with A/chicken/Dawang/1/2011, whereas only 94.27-97.61% with A/bramnling/Beijing/16/2012-like viruses. Analysis on the relationship between internal genes and the infectivity of novel H7N9 viruses were performed by comparing amino acid sequences with the HPAI H5N1 viruses, the H9N2 and the earlier H7N9 avian influenza viruses. There were nine amino acids on the internal genes found to be possibly associated with the infectivity of the novel H7N9 viruses.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that the internal genes, sharing the highest similarities with A/environment/Zhejiang/16/2013-like (H9N2) viruses, may affect the infectivity of the novel H7N9 viruses.     

Novel Reassortant Highly Pathogenic H5N2 Avian Influenza Viruses in Poultry in China

There has been multiple evidence that domestic poultry may act as a vessel for the generation of novel influenza A viruses. In this study, we have analyzed the evolution and pathogenicity of 4 H5N2 avian influenza viruses isolated from apparently healthy poultry from H5N1 virus endemic areas in China. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that two of these viruses, A/duck/Eastern China/1111/2011 (DK/EC/1111/11) and A/goose/Eastern China/1112/2011 (GS/EC/1112/11) were derived from reassortment events in which clade 2.3.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses acquired novel neuraminidase and nonstructural protein genes. Another two isolates, A/chicken/Hebei/1102/2010 (CK/HB/1102/10) and A/duck/Hebei/0908/2009 (DK/HB/0908/09), possess hemagglutinin (HA) gene belong to clade 7 H5 viruses and other genes from endemic H9N2 viruses, or from viruses of various subtypes of the natural gene pool. All of these H5N2 isolates bear characteristic sequences of HPAI virus at the cleavage site of HA, and animal experiments indicated that all of these viruses but DK/HB/0908/09 is highly pathogenic to chickens. In particular, DK/EC/1111/11 and GS/EC/1112/11 are also highly pathogenic to ducks and moderately pathogenic to mice. All of these 4 viruses were able to replicate in domestic ducks and mice without prior adaptation. The emergence of these novel H5N2 viruses adds more evidence for the active evolution of H5 viruses in Asia. The maintenance of the highly pathogenic phenotype of some of these viruses even after reassortment with a new NA subtypes, their ability to replicate and transmit in domestic poultry, and the pathogenicity in the mammalian mouse model, highlight the potential threat posed by these viruses to both veterinary and public health.     

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。     

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.     

Molecular characteristic of influenza virus A H5N1 Strains isolated from poultry in Kurgan Region in 2005

During the latter half of 2005 a widespread outbreak caused by influenza highly pathogenic H5N1 virus among wild and domestic birds occurred in Russia. As pathogenicity level is a polygenic feature and majority of individual genes of influenza A viruses contribute to pathogenicity of influenza viruses to birds, animals and humans. Nucleotide sequencing of the entire genome of influenza H5N1 virus isolates obtained in Kurgan region (Western Siberia) was performed. Structure of viral proteins was analyzed according to the predicted amino acid sequences. HA receptor-binding site of A/chicken/Kurgan/05/2005 and A/duck/Kurgan/08/2005 strains was typical for avian influenza viruses and contained Glu and Gly at positions 226 and 228, respectively. Structure of the cluster of positively charged amino acid residues at the cleavage site was identical for all isolates: QGERRRKKR. According to the data of neuraminidase structure analysis NA of the H5N1 isolates tested was suggested to belong to Z genotype. Amino acid residues typical for birds were revealed in 30 out of 32 positions of M1, M2, NP, PA and PB2 proteins determining host range specificity. One strain isolated in Kurgan contained lysine in position 627 of PB2 protein. Kurgan isolates was shown to have remantadine-sensitive genotype. Glutamic acid was found at position 92 of NS1 protein in both strains indicating virus resistance to interferon. Phylogenetic analyses allowed relating Kurgan isolates to subclade II of clade II of highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses.     

H5N1亚型禽流感病毒A/duck/Shandong/093/2004株的全基因克隆及序列分析

应用流感病毒通用引物［4］和H5N1亚型禽流感（Avian influenza virus, AIV）的型特异性引物,成功的扩增出H5N1亚型禽流感病毒A/duck/Shandong/093/2004株（简称A/D/SD/04）的全基因序列（包括5′和3′端的非编码区序列）。A/D/SD/04的基因组核苷酸全序列与18株网上公布的禽流感基因序列进行比较和分析,结果与4株鸭源H5N1的5～7个基因具99%以上的同源性;与14株H5N1有至少一个以上内部基因同源性在95%以上。与H9亚型AIV代表株A/Quail/Hongkong/G1/97（简称G1株）和A/Chicken/Beijing/1/94（简称BJ94）比较,除了非结构基因（Nonstructural gene, NS）与G1株的同源性为95.3%外,其余基因均在36.6%～92.1%之间。说明A/D/SD/04没有H9N2基因的直接整合,是H5N1毒株在自然界的重组株。推导的HA氨基酸序列分析,A/D/SD/04 的血凝素（Heamgglutinin,HA）裂解位点与比较的16株AIV的序列一致,是高致病性禽流感的分子特征（PQRERRRKKR/G）,第226位氨基酸是对禽类和哺乳细胞均具有亲嗜性的蛋氨酸（Met）。神经氨酸酶（Neuraminidase, NA）在第48位氨基酸（颈部）后有20个氨基酸的缺失,但非结构蛋白（NS）没有在79～84氨基酸发生缺失。碱性聚合酶2（PB2）的627位氨基酸是亲禽类细胞的谷氨酸（Glu, E）。结合生物学特性和分子特征,A/D/SD/04对小鼠的致病力是由多种因素决定,其可能是一株对鸡高度致病,并逐渐获得对哺乳动物致病能力的中间重组病毒。     

Molecular genetic characterization of H5N1 influenza virus strains isolated from poultry in the Kurgan region in 2005

In the second half of 2005, a large-scale outbreak of influenza in poultry and wild birds was caused by a highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus in Russia. The level of pathogenicity is a polygenic trait, and most individual genes contribute to the influenza A virus pathogenicity in birds, animals, and humans. The full-length nucleotide sequences were determined for H5N1 strains isolated in the Kurgan region (Western Siberia). The structure of viral proteins was analyzed using the deduced amino acid sequences. The receptor-binding site of hemagglutinin (HA) in strains A/chicken/Kurgan/05/2005 and A/duck/Kurgan/08/2005 was typical for avian influenza viruses and contained Glu and Gly at positions 226 and 228, respectively. The structure of the basic amino acid cluster located within the HA cleavage site was identical in all isolates: QGERRRKKR. According to the neuraminidase structure, all H5N1 isolates from the Kurgan region were assigned to the Z genotype. Amino acid residues typical for the avian influenza virus were revealed in 30 out of 32 positions of M1, M2, NP, PA, and PB2, determining the host range specificity. One of the strains contained Lys at position 627 of PB2. Isolates from the Kurgan region were shown to have a remantadine-sensitive genotype. Both strains contained Glu at position 92 of NS1, indicating that the virus is interferon-resistant. Phylogenetic analysis related the Kurgan isolates to subclade 2 of clade 2 of highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses.     

Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel H4N1 Influenza Virus Isolated from a Pig in Central China

Pigs are proposed to be “mixing vessel” hosts that can produce genetically novel reassortant viruses with pandemic potential. The appearance of any novel influenza viruses among pigs should pose concerns for human health. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a novel H4N1 influenza virus [A/Swine/HuBei/06/2009(H4N1)] isolated from a pig in Central China in 2009. The genomic sequence analysis indicates that this virus is a wholly avian-original influenza virus. Each gene may come from different avian influenza viruses outside mainland China, suggesting the role of migratory birds in the dispersal of influenza virus.     

Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel H9N2 Subtype Influenza Virus FJG9 Strain in China Reveals a Natural Reassortant Event

A/chicken/FJ/G9/09 (FJ/G9) is an H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus (H9N2 AIV) strain causing high morbidity that was isolated from broilers in Fujian Province of China in 2009. FJ/G9 has been used as the vaccine strain against H9N2 AIV infection in Fujian Province of China. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of FJ/G9 with natural six-way reassortment, which is the most complex genotype strain in China and even in the world so far. The present findings will aid in understanding the complexity and diversity of H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus.     

A Novel Activation Mechanism of Avian Influenza Virus H9N2 by Furin

Avian influenza virus H9N2 is prevalent in waterfowl and has become endemic in poultry in Asia and the Middle East. H9N2 influenza viruses have served as a reservoir of internal genes for other avian influenza viruses that infect humans, and several cases of human infection by H9N2 influenza viruses have indicated its pandemic potential. Fortunately, an extensive surveillance program enables close monitoring of H9N2 influenza viruses worldwide and has generated a large repository of virus sequences and phylogenetic information. Despite the large quantity of sequences in different databases, very little is known about specific virus isolates and their pathogenesis. Here, we characterize a low-pathogenicity avian influenza virus, A/chicken/Israel/810/2001 (H9N2) (Israel810), which is representative of influenza virus strains that have caused severe morbidity and mortality in poultry farms. We show that under certain circumstances the Israel810 hemagglutinin (HA) can be activated by furin, a hallmark of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. We demonstrate that Israel810 HA can be cleaved in cells with high levels of furin expression and that a mutation that eliminates a glycosylation site in HA₁ allows the Israel810 HA to gain universal cleavage in cell culture. Pseudoparticles generated from Israel810 HA, or the glycosylation mutant, transduce cells efficiently. In contrast, introduction of a polybasic cleavage site into Israel810 HA leads to pseudoviruses that are compromised for transduction. Our data indicate a mechanism for an H9N2 evolutionary pathway that may allow it to gain virulence in a distinct manner from H5 and H7 influenza viruses.     

Differences in Receptor Specificity between the Influenza Viruses of Duck,Chicken, and Human

The affinity of the duck, chicken, and human influenza viruses to the host cell sialosides was determined, and considerable distinctions between duck and chicken viruses were found. Duck viruses bind to a wide range of sialosides, including the short-stem gangliosides. Most of the chicken viruses, like human ones, lose the ability to bind these gangliosides, which strictly correlates with the appearance of carbohydrate at position 158–160. The affinity of the chicken viruses to sialoglycoconjugates of chicken intestine as well as chicken, monkey, and human respiratory epithelial cells exceeds that of the duck viruses. The human influenza viruses have high affinity to the same cells but do not bind at all to the duck epithelial cell. This testifies to the absence of 6"-sialylgalactose residues from the duck cells, in contrast to chicken and monkey cells. The alteration of the receptor specificity of chicken viruses in comparison with duck ones results in the similarity of the patterns of accessible cells for chicken and human influenza viruses. This may be the cause of the appearance of the line of H9N2 viruses from Hong Kong live bird markets with receptor specificity similar to that of H3N2 human viruses, and of the ability of H5N1 and H9N2 chicken influenza viruses to infect humans.