scholarly journals Genesis and Dissemination of Highly Pathogenic H5N6 Avian Influenza Viruses

2016 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Yang ◽  
Wenfei Zhu ◽  
Xiaodan Li ◽  
Hong Bo ◽  
Ye Zhang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (H5Nx) have spread from Asia to other parts of the world. Since 2014, human infections with clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N6 viruses have been continuously reported in China. To investigate the genesis of the virus, we analyzed 123 H5 or N6 environmental viruses sampled from live-poultry markets or farms from 2012 to 2015 in Mainland China. Our results indicated that clade 2.3.4.4 H5N2/N6/N8 viruses shared the same hemagglutinin gene as originated in early 2009. From 2012 to 2015, the genesis of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N6 viruses occurred via two independent pathways. Three major reassortant H5N6 viruses (reassortants A, B, and C) were generated. Internal genes of reassortant A and B viruses and reassortant C viruses derived from clade 2.3.2.1c H5N1 and H9N2 viruses, respectively. Many mammalian adaption mutations and antigenic variations were detected among the three reassortant viruses. Considering their wide circulation and dynamic reassortment in poultry, we highly recommend close monitoring of the viruses in poultry and humans. IMPORTANCE Since 2014, clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5Nx) viruses have caused many outbreaks in both wild and domestic birds globally. Severe human cases with novel H5N6 viruses in this group were also reported in China in 2014 and 2015. To investigate the genesis of the genetic diversity of these H5N6 viruses, we sequenced 123 H5 or N6 environmental viruses sampled from 2012 to 2015 in China. Sequence analysis indicated that three major reassortants of these H5N6 viruses had been generated by two independent evolutionary pathways. The H5N6 reassortant viruses had been detected in most provinces of southern China and neighboring countries. Considering the mammalian adaption mutations and antigenic variation detected, the spread of these viruses should be monitored carefully due to their pandemic potential.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Bessière ◽  
Thomas Figueroa ◽  
Amelia Coggon ◽  
Charlotte Foret-Lucas ◽  
Alexandre Houffschmitt ◽  
...  

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) emerge from low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIV) through the introduction of basic amino acids at the hemagglutinin (HA) cleavage site. Following viral evolution, the newly formed HPAIV likely represents a minority variant within the index host, predominantly infected with the LPAIV precursor. Using reverse-genetics engineered H5N8 viruses differing solely at the HA cleavage, we tested the hypothesis that the interaction between the minority HPAIV and the majority LPAIV could modulate the risk of HPAIV emergence and that the nature of the interaction could depend on the host species. In chickens, we observed that the H5N8 LP increased H5N8 HP replication and pathogenesis. By contrast, the H5N8 LP antagonized H5N8 HP replication and pathogenesis in ducks. Ducks mounted a more potent antiviral innate immune response than chickens against the H5N8 LP , which correlated with H5N8 HP inhibition. These data provide experimental evidence that HPAIV may be more likely to emerge in chickens than in ducks and underscore the importance of within-host viral variants interactions in viral evolution. IMPORTANCE Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses represent a threat to poultry production systems and to human health because of their impact on food security and because of their zoonotic potential. It is therefore crucial to better understand how these viruses emerge. Using a within-host competition model between highly and low pathogenic avian influenza viruses, we provide evidence that highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses could be more likely to emerge in chickens than in ducks. These results have important implications for highly pathogenic avian influenza virus emergence prevention and they underscore the importance of within-host viral variants interactions in virus evolution.


2009 ◽  
Vol 133 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 65-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takehiko Saito ◽  
Chiaki Watanabe ◽  
Nobuhiro Takemae ◽  
Arunee Chaisingh ◽  
Yuko Uchida ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aya Matsuu ◽  
Taichiro Tanikawa ◽  
Yoshikazu Fujimoto ◽  
Mihoko Yabuki ◽  
Ryota Tsunekuni ◽  
...  

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