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

ABSTRACT: 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. Real-time 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 from 2013 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 I155T and Q226L mutations. Moreover, 44 strains had A558V mutations in the PB2 protein and four had E627V 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.

SUBMITTER: Hu Z

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8087754 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Background and aimsH9N2 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) has low-pathogenicity but causes respiratory symptoms and drop in egg production in chicken with long-term virus shedding, resulting in great economic losses due to high mortality related to secondary infection with other pathogens. In recent years, H9N2 viruses have been posing a threat to public health, causing human infection in China. Compared to studies on other AIV subtypes, there are relatively few studies on the pathogenic mechanism of the H9N2 virus in mammals. H9N2 subtype AIV has been circulating worldwide in many avian species and transmitting with high efficiency in poultry. It can provide internal genes for other subtypes to produce new viruses, causing a pandemic risk. It is important to carry out long-term surveillance and pathogenic characteristics of the H9N2 virus. In this study, we conducted environmental surveillance of live poultry markets in Anhui province from 2013 to 2018, and 33 representative environmental isolates were selected and studied systematically.MethodsThe genomic RNA of Anhui H9N2 isolates was subjected to RT-PCR amplification followed by sequencing analysis.ResultsThirty-three strains were isolated from the embryonated eggs of specific-pathogen-free chickens. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that h9.4.2.5-like H9N2 viruses were predominant during 2013-2018 and acquired multiple specific amino acid mutations that may have increased their affinity for mammals and enhanced their infectivity and transmissibility. Additionally, six internal genes of H9N2 clustered together with the novel human-lethal reassortant viruses, such as the low-pathogenicity H7N9, H10N8, and Anhui H5N6 viruses, and even HPAI H7N9.ConclusionBecause H9N2 viruses may be the donors of internal genes that lead to the generation of novel reassortant viruses with enhanced pathogenicity in Anhui province, continuous environmental surveillance of live poultry markets, a key source of reassorted H9N2 and other avian influenza viruses, is of great importance.

Dataset Information

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

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