Genome sequence of a novel reassortant H3N2 avian influenza virus in southern China

Case Report: Viral Pneumonia Could Prompt the Advancement of Immune-Mediated Liver Disease

Background: The impact of the influenza A (H1N1) and SARS-CoV-2 virus on the development of autoimmune hepatitis has not been described previously.

Methods: In this case series, we evaluated the dynamic changes in liver function of three patients with autoimmune hepatitis who presented with viral infection (two with the H1N1 and one with the SARS-CoV-2 virus) during the recent COVID-19 outbreak.

Result: Patient 1 was a 68-year-old woman with a history of hepatitis of unknown origin before being infected with the H1N1 virus. Autoimmune hepatitis with an exacerbation of liver injury was diagnosed during the infection. Patient 2 was a 48-year-old woman with pre-existing autoimmune hepatitis. Despite being on immunosuppressant therapy (using glucocorticoids), liver injury recurred with elevated total bilirubin and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels post H1N1 infection. Patient 3 was a 61-year-old woman with probable autoimmune hepatitis. Liver injury recurred with a flare in alanine transaminase/aspartate transaminase levels post SARS-CoV-2 infection, in spite of the patient being on liver protection therapy (using ursodeoxycholic acid).

Conclusion: The case series raises the possibility that COVID-19 or influenza induced pneumonia triggers the progression of autoimmune hepatitis.

Comparative Review of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and Influenza A Respiratory Viruses

The 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has caused a global health emergency. The outbreak of this virus has raised a number of questions: What is SARS-CoV-2? How transmissible is SARS-CoV-2? How severely affected are patients infected with SARS-CoV-2? What are the risk factors for viral infection? What are the differences between this novel coronavirus and other coronaviruses? To answer these questions, we performed a comparative study of four pathogenic viruses that primarily attack the respiratory system and may cause death, namely, SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV), and influenza A viruses (H1N1 and H3N2 strains). This comparative study provides a critical evaluation of the origin, genomic features, transmission, and pathogenicity of these viruses. Because the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is ongoing, this evaluation may inform public health administrators and medical experts to aid in curbing the pandemic's progression.

Genetic analysis and biological characteristics of different internal gene origin H5N6 reassortment avian influenza virus in China in 2016

Clade 2.3.4.4 of H5N6 subtype Avian Influenza Viruses (AIVs) has become dominant clade in South-East Asia. So far, a total of 16 cases of human infection, including 6 deaths, have been confirmed since 2014. In this study, we systematically investigated the genetic evolution and biological characteristics of these viruses. We first carried out phylogenetic and statistical analysis of all H5N6 viruses that were downloaded from Influenza Research Database, GISAID and isolates from our lab. We found that H5N6 AIVs continued to reassort with other AIVs subtypes since 2014. Among these H5N6 reassortments, four main gene types were identified: A (internal genes of H5N1-origin), B (PB2 of H6-origin, and others of H5N1-origin), C (internal genes of H9-origin) and D (PB2 of H6-origin and PB1of H3-origin, and others of H5N1). In addition, after several years of evolution, gene type D is currently the dominant gene type. To systematically compare the genetic and evolutionary characteristics and pathogenicity of these viruses, four H5N6 AIVs of different gene types were selected for further analysis. S4, XZ6, GD1602 and YZ587 virus represented gene type A, B, C and D, respectively. Their NA genes were all originated from H6 and their whole genome showed a high similarity with human isolates. All these isolates could both bind with SA-α2,3 Gal and SA-α2,6 Gal receptors. Pathogenicity test showed that these viruses were highly pathogenic in chickens, while YZ587 showed the lowest virulence. Moreover, XZ6 and S4 viruses were highly pathogenic in ducks and moderately pathogenic in mice, while GD1602 and YZ587 viruses were no-pathogenic in these animals. Interestingly, GD1602 and YZ587-like viruses were responsible for 4 and 2 human infection cases in 2016, respectively. Therefore, our study showed that the YZ587 virus which has mixed internal genes, showed lower virulence in avian species and mammals compared to other genotype viruses. Overall, our findings suggest that the H5N6 avian influenza virus is undergoing constantly evolving and reassortment. Thus, our study highlights the necessary of continued surveillance of the H5N6 AIVs in birds and paying close attention to the spread of these novel reassortment viruses.

Genome sequences published outside of Standards in Genomic Sciences, October - November 2012

The purpose of this table is to provide the community with a citable record of publications of ongoing genome sequencing projects that have led to a publication in the scientific literature. While our goal is to make the list complete, there is no guarantee that we may have omitted one or more publications appearing in this time frame. Readers and authors who wish to have publications added to subsequent versions of this list are invited to provide the bibliographic data for such references to the SIGS editorial office.

Genome sequences published outside of Standards in Genomic Sciences, July - October 2012

The purpose of this table is to provide the community with a citable record of publications of ongoing genome sequencing projects that have led to a publication in the scientific literature. While our goal is to make the list complete, there is no guarantee that we may have omitted one or more publications appearing in this time frame. Readers and authors who wish to have publications added to subsequent versions of this list are invited to provide the bibliographic data for such references to the SIGS editorial office.