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Tuan Duong B, Ju Yeo S, Park H. Identification of specific neutralizing antibodies for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 2.3.4.4b clades to facilitate vaccine design and therapeutics. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2302106. [PMID: 38170506 PMCID: PMC10810642 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2302106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 2.3.4.4 and 2.3.2.1c subclades have distinct antigenic properties and are responsible for the majority of human infections. Therefore, it is essential to understand the processes by which antibodies inhibit these subclade viruses to develop effective therapies and vaccines to prevent their escape from neutralizing antibodies. Herein, we report the epitopes of two specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting haemagglutinin (HA) of the H5 2.3.4.4b subclade and their neutralizing abilities. The results indicated that the two mAbs provided specific protection against the H5 2.3.4.4b clade viral challenge in MDCK cells and mouse models. Through epitope identification and docking studies, we showed that these novel sites (which are located near the 130-loop (S136, T143) and 190-helix (N199, N205) of HA receptor-binding sites that contribute to the binding affinity of neutralizing mAbs and six residues of the complementarity-determining regions) can be targeted to generate antibodies with enhanced cross-neutralization. This can also help in understanding escape mutations that differ among the H5 2.3.4.4b, h, and 2.3.2.1c subclades. These results provide specific information to facilitate future vaccine design and therapeutics for both subclade viruses, which are dominant and pose a serious threat to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao Tuan Duong
- Zoonosis Research Center, Department of Infection Biology, School of Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Korea
| | - Seon Ju Yeo
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Medical Research Center, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Park
- Zoonosis Research Center, Department of Infection Biology, School of Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Korea
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2
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King J, Pohlmann A, Bange A, Horn E, Hälterlein B, Breithaupt A, Globig A, Günther A, Kelm A, Wiedemann C, Grund C, Haecker K, Garthe S, Harder T, Beer M, Schwemmer P. Red knots in Europe: a dead end host species or a new niche for highly pathogenic avian influenza? J Gen Virol 2024; 105. [PMID: 38975739 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.002003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The 2020/2021 epidemic in Europe of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) of subtype H5 surpassed all previously recorded European outbreaks in size, genotype constellations and reassortment frequency and continued into 2022 and 2023. The causative 2.3.4.4b viral lineage proved to be highly proficient with respect to reassortment with cocirculating low pathogenic avian influenza viruses and seems to establish an endemic status in northern Europe. A specific HPAIV reassortant of the subtype H5N3 was detected almost exclusively in red knots (Calidris canutus islandica) in December 2020. It caused systemic and rapidly fatal disease leading to a singular and self-limiting mass mortality affecting about 3500 birds in the German Wadden Sea, roughly 1 % of the entire flyway population of islandica red knots. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the H5N3 reassortant very likely had formed in red knots and remained confined to this species. While mechanisms of virus circulation in potential reservoir species, dynamics of spill-over and reassortment events and the roles of environmental virus sources remain to be identified, the year-round infection pressure poses severe threats to endangered avian species and prompts adaptation of habitat and species conservation practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline King
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anne Pohlmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Andreas Bange
- Research and Technology Centre (FTZ), University of Kiel, Hafentörn 1, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Horn
- Research and Technology Centre (FTZ), University of Kiel, Hafentörn 1, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - Bernd Hälterlein
- National Park Authority Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea, Schlossgarten 1, 25832 Tönning, Germany
| | - Angele Breithaupt
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anja Globig
- Institute of International Animal Health/One Health, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anne Günther
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Angie Kelm
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christian Wiedemann
- National Park Authority Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea, Schlossgarten 1, 25832 Tönning, Germany
| | - Christian Grund
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Karena Haecker
- Research and Technology Centre (FTZ), University of Kiel, Hafentörn 1, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - Stefan Garthe
- Research and Technology Centre (FTZ), University of Kiel, Hafentörn 1, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - Timm Harder
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald - Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Philipp Schwemmer
- Research and Technology Centre (FTZ), University of Kiel, Hafentörn 1, 25761 Büsum, Germany
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3
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Chernyshova AI, Zhirnov OP. Two Phylogenetic Cohorts of the Nucleocapsid Protein NP and Their Correlation with the Host Range of Influenza A Viruses. DOKL BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2024; 516:93-97. [PMID: 38539009 DOI: 10.1134/s1607672924700789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Influenza A virus has a wide natural areal among birds, mammals, and humans. One of the main regulatory adaptors of the virus host range is the major NP protein of the viral nucleocapsid. Phylogenetic analysis of the NP protein of different viruses has revealed the existence of two phylogenetic cohorts in human influenza virus population. Cohort I includes classical human viruses that caused epidemics in 1957, 1968, 1977. Cohort II includes the H1N1/2009pdm virus, which had a mixed avian-swine origin but caused global human pandemic. Also, the highly virulent H5N1 avian influenza virus emerged in 2021 and caused outbreaks of lethal infections in mammals including humans, appeared to have the NP gene of the second phylogenetic cohort and, therefore, by the type of adaptation to human is similar to the H1N1/2009pdm virus and seems to possess a high epidemic potential for humans. The data obtained shed light on pathways and dynamics of adaptation of avian influenza viruses to humans and propose phylogenetic algorithm for systemic monitoring of dangerous virus strains to predict epidemic harbingers and take immediate preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- A I Chernyshova
- Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, Gamaleya Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - O P Zhirnov
- Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, Gamaleya Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.
- Russian-German Academy of Medico-Social and Biotechnological Sciences, Skolkovo Innovation Center, Moscow, Russia.
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4
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Furey C, Scher G, Ye N, Kercher L, DeBeauchamp J, Crumpton JC, Jeevan T, Patton C, Franks J, Rubrum A, Alameh MG, Fan SHY, Phan AT, Hunter CA, Webby RJ, Weissman D, Hensley SE. Development of a nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccine against clade 2.3.4.4b H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4350. [PMID: 38782954 PMCID: PMC11116520 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48555-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccines would be useful during an influenza virus pandemic since they can be produced rapidly and do not require the generation of egg-adapted vaccine seed stocks. Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses from H5 clade 2.3.4.4b are circulating at unprecedently high levels in wild and domestic birds and have the potential to adapt to humans. Here, we generate an mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccine encoding the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein from a clade 2.3.4.4b H5 isolate. The H5 mRNA-LNP vaccine elicits strong T cell and antibody responses in female mice, including neutralizing antibodies and broadly-reactive anti-HA stalk antibodies. The H5 mRNA-LNP vaccine elicits antibodies at similar levels compared to whole inactivated vaccines in female mice with and without prior H1N1 exposures. Finally, we find that the H5 mRNA-LNP vaccine is immunogenic in male ferrets and prevents morbidity and mortality of animals following 2.3.4.4b H5N1 challenge. Together, our data demonstrate that a monovalent mRNA-LNP vaccine expressing 2.3.4.4b H5 is immunogenic and protective in pre-clinical animal models.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Influenza Vaccines/immunology
- Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Female
- Mice
- Ferrets
- Nanoparticles/chemistry
- Male
- Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/immunology
- Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/genetics
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/immunology
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/genetics
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/prevention & control
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/immunology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology
- mRNA Vaccines/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Influenza in Birds/prevention & control
- Influenza in Birds/immunology
- Influenza in Birds/virology
- Humans
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/immunology
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/immunology
- Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/genetics
- Birds/virology
- Lipids/chemistry
- Liposomes
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Furey
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gabrielle Scher
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Naiqing Ye
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lisa Kercher
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jennifer DeBeauchamp
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jeri Carol Crumpton
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Trushar Jeevan
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Christopher Patton
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - John Franks
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Adam Rubrum
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh
- Infectious Disease Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Anthony T Phan
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christopher A Hunter
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Richard J Webby
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Drew Weissman
- Infectious Disease Division, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Scott E Hensley
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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5
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Restori KH, Septer KM, Field CJ, Patel DR, VanInsberghe D, Raghunathan V, Lowen AC, Sutton TC. Risk assessment of a highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus from mink. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4112. [PMID: 38750016 PMCID: PMC11096306 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48475-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses in farmed mink and seals combined with isolated human infections suggest these viruses pose a pandemic threat. To assess this threat, using the ferret model, we show an H5N1 isolate derived from mink transmits by direct contact to 75% of exposed ferrets and, in airborne transmission studies, the virus transmits to 37.5% of contacts. Sequence analyses show no mutations were associated with transmission. The H5N1 virus also has a low infectious dose and remains virulent at low doses. This isolate carries the adaptive mutation, PB2 T271A, and reversing this mutation reduces mortality and airborne transmission. This is the first report of a H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus exhibiting direct contact and airborne transmissibility in ferrets. These data indicate heightened pandemic potential of the panzootic H5N1 viruses and emphasize the need for continued efforts to control outbreaks and monitor viral evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine H Restori
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Emory Center of Excellence of Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR), University Park, PA, USA
| | - Kayla M Septer
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Cassandra J Field
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Emory Center of Excellence of Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR), University Park, PA, USA
- The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Devanshi R Patel
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - David VanInsberghe
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Center of Excellence of Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR), Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Vedhika Raghunathan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Center of Excellence of Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR), Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anice C Lowen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory Center of Excellence of Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR), Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Troy C Sutton
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
- Emory Center of Excellence of Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR), University Park, PA, USA.
- The Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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6
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Zhirnov OP, Lvov DK. Avian flu: «for whom the bell tolls»? Vopr Virusol 2024; 69:101-118. [PMID: 38843017 DOI: 10.36233/10.36233/0507-4088-213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The family Orthomyxoviridae consists of 9 genera, including Alphainfluenzavirus, which contains avian influenza viruses. In two subtypes H5 and H7 besides common low-virulent strains, a specific type of highly virulent avian virus have been described to cause more than 60% mortality among domestic birds. These variants of influenza virus are usually referred to as «avian influenza virus». The difference between high (HPAI) and low (LPAI) virulent influenza viruses is due to the structure of the arginine-containing proteolytic activation site in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein. The highly virulent avian influenza virus H5 was identified more than 100 years ago and during this time they cause outbreaks among wild and domestic birds on all continents and only a few local episodes of the disease in humans have been identified in XXI century. Currently, a sharp increase in the incidence of highly virulent virus of the H5N1 subtype (clade h2.3.4.4b) has been registered in birds on all continents, accompanied by the transmission of the virus to various species of mammals. The recorded global mortality rate among wild, domestic and agricultural birds from H5 subtype is approaching to the level of 1 billion cases. A dangerous epidemic factor is becoming more frequent outbreaks of avian influenza with high mortality among mammals, in particular seals and marine lions in North and South America, minks and fur-bearing animals in Spain and Finland, domestic and street cats in Poland. H5N1 avian influenza clade h2.3.4.4b strains isolated from mammals have genetic signatures of partial adaptation to the human body in the PB2, NP, HA, NA genes, which play a major role in regulating the aerosol transmission and the host range of the virus. The current situation poses a real threat of pre-adaptation of the virus in mammals as intermediate hosts, followed by the transition of the pre-adapted virus into the human population with catastrophic consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- O P Zhirnov
- The D.I. Ivaovsky Institute of Virology, The N.F. Gamaleya Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, The Russian Ministry of Health
- The Russian-German Academy of Medical-Social and Biotechnological Sciences, Skolkovo Innovation Center
| | - D K Lvov
- The D.I. Ivaovsky Institute of Virology, The N.F. Gamaleya Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, The Russian Ministry of Health
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7
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Graziosi G, Lupini C, Catelli E, Carnaccini S. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5 Clade 2.3.4.4b Virus Infection in Birds and Mammals. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1372. [PMID: 38731377 PMCID: PMC11083745 DOI: 10.3390/ani14091372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are highly contagious respiratory viruses of birds, leading to significant morbidity and mortality globally and causing substantial economic losses to the poultry industry and agriculture. Since their first isolation in 2013-2014, the Asian-origin H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAI) of clade 2.3.4.4b have undergone unprecedented evolution and reassortment of internal gene segments. In just a few years, it supplanted other AIV clades, and now it is widespread in the wild migratory waterfowl, spreading to Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Wild waterfowl, the natural reservoir of LPAIVs and generally more resistant to the disease, also manifested high morbidity and mortality with HPAIV clade 2.3.4.4b. This clade also caused overt clinical signs and mass mortality in a variety of avian and mammalian species never reported before, such as raptors, seabirds, sealions, foxes, and others. Most notably, the recent outbreaks in dairy cattle were associated with the emergence of a few critical mutations related to mammalian adaptation, raising concerns about the possibility of jumping species and acquisition of sustained human-to-human transmission. The main clinical signs and anatomopathological findings associated with clade 2.3.4.4b virus infection in birds and non-human mammals are hereby summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Graziosi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (G.G.); (C.L.); (E.C.)
| | - Caterina Lupini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (G.G.); (C.L.); (E.C.)
| | - Elena Catelli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy; (G.G.); (C.L.); (E.C.)
| | - Silvia Carnaccini
- Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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8
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Krueger A, Myles DJF, Rice CP, Taylor TK, Hurwitz C, Morris J, Robinson S. Responding to avian influenza A H5N1 detection on a hospital property in Maine-An interdisciplinary approach. Zoonoses Public Health 2024; 71:331-335. [PMID: 38009284 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The risk of infection with avian influenza A viruses currently circulating in wild and domestic birds in the Americas is considered low for the general public; however, detections in humans have been reported and warning signs of increased zoonotic potential have been identified. In December 2022, two Canada geese residing on the grounds of an urban hospital in Maine tested positive for influenza A H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b. AIMS Given the opportunity for exposure to staff and hospital visitors through potentially infected faeces on the property, public health authorities determined mitigation efforts were needed to prevent the spread of disease. The ensuing response relied on collaboration between the public health and animal health agencies to guide the hospital through efforts in preventing possible zoonotic transmission to humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mitigation efforts included staff communication and education, environmental cleaning and disinfection, enhanced illness surveillance among staff and patients, and exposure and source reduction. RESULTS No human H5N1 cases were identified, and no additional detections in birds on the property occurred. Hospital staff identified barriers to preparedness resulting from a lack of understanding of avian influenza A viruses and transmission prevention methods, including avian influenza risk in resident wild bird populations and proper wildlife management methods. CONCLUSION As this virus continues to circulate at the animal-human interface, this event and resulting response highlights the need for influenza A H5N1 risk awareness and guidance for facilities and groups not traditionally involved in avian influenza responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Krueger
- Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Augusta, Maine, United States
| | - Devin J F Myles
- Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Augusta, Maine, United States
- MCD Global Health, Hallowell, Maine, United States
| | - Carrie P Rice
- Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Augusta, Maine, United States
- MCD Global Health, Hallowell, Maine, United States
| | - Tegwin K Taylor
- Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Augusta, Maine, United States
| | - Carolyn Hurwitz
- Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Augusta, Maine, United States
| | - Jesse Morris
- United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Riverdale, Maryland, United States
| | - Sara Robinson
- Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Augusta, Maine, United States
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9
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Kirkeby C, Boklund A, Larsen LE, Ward MP. Are all avian influenza outbreaks in poultry the same? The predicted impact of poultry species and virus subtype. Zoonoses Public Health 2024; 71:314-323. [PMID: 38362732 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry farms are currently increasing in frequency, with devastating consequences for animal welfare, farmers and supply chains. Some studies have documented the direct spread of the avian influenza virus between farms. Prevention of spread between farms relies on biosecurity surveillance and control measures. However, the evolution of an outbreak on a farm might vary depending on the virus strain and poultry species involved; this would have important implications for surveillance systems, epidemiological investigations and control measures. METHODS AND RESULTS In this study, we utilized existing parameter estimates from the literature to evaluate the predicted course of an epidemic in a standard poultry flock with 10,000 birds. We used a stochastic SEIR simulation model to simulate outbreaks in different species and with different virus subtypes. The simulations predicted large differences in the duration and severity of outbreaks, depending on the virus subtypes. For both turkeys and chickens, outbreaks with HPAI were of shorter duration than outbreaks with LPAI. In outbreaks involving the infection of chickens with different virus subtypes, the shortest epidemic involved H7N7 and HPAIV H5N1 (median duration of 9 and 17 days, respectively) and the longest involved H5N2 (median duration of 68 days). The most severe outbreaks (number of chickens infected) were predicted for H5N1, H7N1 and H7N3 virus subtypes, and the least severe for H5N2 and H7N7, in which outbreaks for the latter subtype were predicted to develop most slowly. CONCLUSIONS These simulation results suggest that surveillance of certain subtypes of avian influenza virus, in chicken flocks in particular, needs to be sensitive and timely if infection is to be detected with sufficient time to implement control measures. The variability in the predictions highlights that avian influenza outbreaks are different in severity, speed and duration, so surveillance and disease response need to be nuanced and fit the specific context of poultry species and virus subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Kirkeby
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Anette Boklund
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Lars Erik Larsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Michael P Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia
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10
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Villanueva-Saz S, Martínez M, Rueda P, Pérez MD, Lacasta D, Marteles D, Ruíz H, Gonzalez A, Verde MT, Pardo J, Arias M, Peña-Fresneda N, Fernández A, Trotta M. Serological exposure to influenza A in cats from an area with wild birds positive for avian influenza. Zoonoses Public Health 2024; 71:324-330. [PMID: 37872888 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Influenza A is an emerging zoonotic virus with worldwide distribution. To our knowledge, no studies have been conducted to assess influenza A exposure in stray cats in regions with positive cases of wild birds. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-influenza A antibodies in feral cats from a region in Spain with cases of positive wild birds. A cross-sectional study of stray cats (n = 183) was conducted between March 2022 and March 2023. The presence of antibodies against the influenza A virus was tested using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit adapted for this study and confirmed by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of antibodies against the haemagglutinin H5. During sample collection, none of the cats exhibited clinical signs of illness. Four of the 183 animals tested showed anti-influenza A antibodies by ELISA, and the seroprevalence of influenza A was 2.19% (95% confidence interval 0.85%-5.48%). Due to the low number of positive cases detected, it appears that cats did not have an important epidemiological role in influenza A transmission during this period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Villanueva-Saz
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Mariví Martínez
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Pablo Rueda
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - María Dolores Pérez
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Animal Production and Sciences of the Food, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Delia Lacasta
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Diana Marteles
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Héctor Ruíz
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ana Gonzalez
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - María Teresa Verde
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Julián Pardo
- Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Pediatrics, Radiology and Public Health, Zaragoza University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maykel Arias
- Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Fernández
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Michele Trotta
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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11
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Tare DS, Keng SS, Walimbe AM, Pawar SD. Phylogeography and gene pool analysis of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses reported in India from 2006 to 2021. Arch Virol 2024; 169:111. [PMID: 38664271 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-024-06032-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
India has reported highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus outbreaks since 2006, with the first human case reported in 2021. These included viruses belonging to the clades 2.2, 2.2.2, 2.2.2.1, 2.3.2.1a, and 2.3.2.1c. There are currently no data on the gene pool of HPAI H5N1 viruses in India. Molecular clock and phylogeography analysis of the HA and NA genes; and phylogenetic analysis of the internal genes of H5N1 viruses from India were carried out. Sequences reported from 2006 to 2015; and sequences from 2021 that were available in online databases were used in the analysis. Five separate introductions of H5N1 viruses into India were observed, via Indonesia or Korea (2002), Bangladesh (2009), Bhutan (2010), and China (2013, 2018) (clades 2.2, 2.2.2, 2.2.2.1, 2.3.2.1a, 2.3.2.1c, and 2.3.4.4b). Phylogenetic analysis revealed eight reassortant genotypes. The H5N1 virus isolated from the human case showed a unique reassortant genotype. Amino acid markers associated with adaptation to mammals were also present. This is the first report of the spatio-temporal origins and gene pool analysis of H5N1 viruses from India, highlighting the need for increased molecular surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deeksha S Tare
- ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 130/1, Sus Road, Pashan, Pune, 411021, India
| | - Sachin S Keng
- ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 130/1, Sus Road, Pashan, Pune, 411021, India
| | - Atul M Walimbe
- ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 130/1, Sus Road, Pashan, Pune, 411021, India
- ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 20-A, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pune, 411001, India
| | - Shailesh D Pawar
- ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 130/1, Sus Road, Pashan, Pune, 411021, India.
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12
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Fusaro A, Zecchin B, Giussani E, Palumbo E, Agüero-García M, Bachofen C, Bálint Á, Banihashem F, Banyard AC, Beerens N, Bourg M, Briand FX, Bröjer C, Brown IH, Brugger B, Byrne AMP, Cana A, Christodoulou V, Dirbakova Z, Fagulha T, Fouchier RAM, Garza-Cuartero L, Georgiades G, Gjerset B, Grasland B, Groza O, Harder T, Henriques AM, Hjulsager CK, Ivanova E, Janeliunas Z, Krivko L, Lemon K, Liang Y, Lika A, Malik P, McMenamy MJ, Nagy A, Nurmoja I, Onita I, Pohlmann A, Revilla-Fernández S, Sánchez-Sánchez A, Savic V, Slavec B, Smietanka K, Snoeck CJ, Steensels M, Svansson V, Swieton E, Tammiranta N, Tinak M, Van Borm S, Zohari S, Adlhoch C, Baldinelli F, Terregino C, Monne I. High pathogenic avian influenza A(H5) viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b in Europe-Why trends of virus evolution are more difficult to predict. Virus Evol 2024; 10:veae027. [PMID: 38699215 PMCID: PMC11065109 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veae027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Since 2016, A(H5Nx) high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus of clade 2.3.4.4b has become one of the most serious global threats not only to wild and domestic birds, but also to public health. In recent years, important changes in the ecology, epidemiology, and evolution of this virus have been reported, with an unprecedented global diffusion and variety of affected birds and mammalian species. After the two consecutive and devastating epidemic waves in Europe in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, with the second one recognized as one of the largest epidemics recorded so far, this clade has begun to circulate endemically in European wild bird populations. This study used the complete genomes of 1,956 European HPAI A(H5Nx) viruses to investigate the virus evolution during this varying epidemiological outline. We investigated the spatiotemporal patterns of A(H5Nx) virus diffusion to/from and within Europe during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 epidemic waves, providing evidence of ongoing changes in transmission dynamics and disease epidemiology. We demonstrated the high genetic diversity of the circulating viruses, which have undergone frequent reassortment events, providing for the first time a complete overview and a proposed nomenclature of the multiple genotypes circulating in Europe in 2020-2022. We described the emergence of a new genotype with gull adapted genes, which offered the virus the opportunity to occupy new ecological niches, driving the disease endemicity in the European wild bird population. The high propensity of the virus for reassortment, its jumps to a progressively wider number of host species, including mammals, and the rapid acquisition of adaptive mutations make the trend of virus evolution and spread difficult to predict in this unfailing evolving scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Fusaro
- European Reference Laboratory (EURL) for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale dell'universita 10, Legnaro, Padua 35020, Italy
| | - Bianca Zecchin
- European Reference Laboratory (EURL) for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale dell'universita 10, Legnaro, Padua 35020, Italy
| | - Edoardo Giussani
- European Reference Laboratory (EURL) for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale dell'universita 10, Legnaro, Padua 35020, Italy
| | - Elisa Palumbo
- European Reference Laboratory (EURL) for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale dell'universita 10, Legnaro, Padua 35020, Italy
| | - Montserrat Agüero-García
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ctra. M-106, Km 1,4 Algete, Madrid 28110, Spain
| | - Claudia Bachofen
- Federal Department of Home Affairs FDHA Institute of Virology and Immunology IVI, Sensemattstrasse 293, Mittelhäusern 3147, Switzerland
| | - Ádám Bálint
- Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate (NEBIH), Laboratory of Virology, National Food Chain Safety Office, Tábornok utca 2, Budapest 1143, Hungary
| | - Fereshteh Banihashem
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Travvägen 20, Uppsala 75189, Sweden
| | - Ashley C Banyard
- WOAH/FAO international reference laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Nancy Beerens
- Department of Virology Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, Lelystad 8221 RA, The Netherlands
| | - Manon Bourg
- Luxembourgish Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA), State Veterinary Laboratory, 1 Rue Louis Rech, Dudelange 3555, Luxembourg
| | - Francois-Xavier Briand
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire, de l’Alimentation, de l’Environnement et du Travail, Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort, Unité de Virologie, Immunologie, Parasitologie Avaires et Cunicoles, 41 Rue de Beaucemaine – BP 53, Ploufragan 22440, France
| | - Caroline Bröjer
- Department of Pathology and Wildlife Disease, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Travvägen 20, Uppsala 75189, Sweden
| | - Ian H Brown
- WOAH/FAO international reference laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Brigitte Brugger
- Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority, Austurvegur 64, Selfoss 800, Iceland
| | - Alexander M P Byrne
- WOAH/FAO international reference laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Virology Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone KT15 3NB, United Kingdom
| | - Armend Cana
- Kosovo Food and Veterinary Agency, Sector of Serology and Molecular Diagnostics, Kosovo Food and Veterinary Laboratory, Str Lidhja e Pejes, Prishtina 10000, Kosovo
| | - Vasiliki Christodoulou
- Laboratory for Animal Health Virology Section Veterinary Services (1417), 79, Athalassa Avenue Aglantzia, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus
| | - Zuzana Dirbakova
- Department of Animal Health, State Veterinary Institute, Pod Dráhami 918, Zvolen 96086, Slovakia
| | - Teresa Fagulha
- I.P. (INIAV, I.P.), Avenida da República, Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Quinta do Marquês, Oeiras 2780 – 157, Portugal
| | - Ron A M Fouchier
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, Rotterdam 3015 GD, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Garza-Cuartero
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL), Backweston Campus, Stacumny Lane, Celbridge, Co. Kildare W23 X3PH, Ireland
| | - George Georgiades
- Thessaloniki Veterinary Centre (TVC), Department of Avian Diseases, 26th October Street 80, Thessaloniki 54627, Greece
| | - Britt Gjerset
- Immunology & Virology department, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Arboretveien 57, Oslo Pb 64, N-1431 Ås, Norway
| | - Beatrice Grasland
- Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire, de l’Alimentation, de l’Environnement et du Travail, Laboratoire de Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort, Unité de Virologie, Immunologie, Parasitologie Avaires et Cunicoles, 41 Rue de Beaucemaine – BP 53, Ploufragan 22440, France
| | - Oxana Groza
- Republican Center for Veterinary Diagnostics (NRL), 3 street Murelor, Chisinau 2051, Republic of Moldova
| | - Timm Harder
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Ana Margarida Henriques
- I.P. (INIAV, I.P.), Avenida da República, Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Quinta do Marquês, Oeiras 2780 – 157, Portugal
| | - Charlotte Kristiane Hjulsager
- Department for Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, 5 Artillerivej, Copenhagen DK-2300, Denmark
| | - Emiliya Ivanova
- National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, National Diagnostic and Research Veterinary Medical Institute (NDRVMI), 190 Lomsko Shose Blvd., Sofia 1231, Bulgaria
| | - Zygimantas Janeliunas
- National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute (NFVRAI), Kairiukscio str. 10, Vilnius 08409, Lithuania
| | - Laura Krivko
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment (BIOR), Laboratory of Microbilogy and Pathology, 3 Lejupes Street, Riga 1076, Latvia
| | - Ken Lemon
- Virological Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Veterinary Sciences Division, Department of Virology, Agri-Food and Bioscience Institute (AFBI), Stoney Road, Belfast BT4 3SD, Northern Ireland
| | - Yuan Liang
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 15, Frederiksberg 1870, Denmark
| | - Aldin Lika
- Animal Health Department, Food Safety and Veterinary Institute, Rruga Aleksandër Moisiu 10, Tirana 1001, Albania
| | - Péter Malik
- Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate (NEBIH), Laboratory of Virology, National Food Chain Safety Office, Tábornok utca 2, Budapest 1143, Hungary
| | - Michael J McMenamy
- Virological Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Veterinary Sciences Division, Department of Virology, Agri-Food and Bioscience Institute (AFBI), Stoney Road, Belfast BT4 3SD, Northern Ireland
| | - Alexander Nagy
- Department of Molecular Biology, State Veterinary Institute Prague, Sídlištní 136/24, Praha 6-Lysolaje 16503, Czech Republic
| | - Imbi Nurmoja
- National Centre for Laboratory Research and Risk Assessment (LABRIS), Kreutzwaldi 30, Tartu 51006, Estonia
| | - Iuliana Onita
- Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health (IDAH), Str. Dr. Staicovici 63, Bucharest 050557, Romania
| | - Anne Pohlmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, Greifswald-Insel Riems 17493, Germany
| | - Sandra Revilla-Fernández
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Institute for Veterinary Disease Control, Robert Koch Gasse 17, Mödling 2340, Austria
| | - Azucena Sánchez-Sánchez
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Ctra. M-106, Km 1,4 Algete, Madrid 28110, Spain
| | - Vladimir Savic
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Poultry Centre, Heinzelova 55, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
| | - Brigita Slavec
- University of Ljubljana – Veterinary Faculty/National Veterinary Institute, Gerbičeva 60, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Krzysztof Smietanka
- Department of Poultry Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantow 57, Puławy 24-100, Poland
| | - Chantal J Snoeck
- Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Department of Infection and Immunity, 29 Rue Henri Koch, Esch-sur-Alzette 4354, Luxembourg
| | - Mieke Steensels
- Avian Virology and Immunology, Sciensano, Rue Groeselenberg 99, Ukkel 1180, Ukkel, Belgium
| | - Vilhjálmur Svansson
- Biomedical Center, Institute for Experimental Pathology, University of Iceland, Keldnavegi 3 112 Reykjavík Ssn. 650269 4549, Keldur 851, Iceland
| | - Edyta Swieton
- Department of Poultry Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantow 57, Puławy 24-100, Poland
| | - Niina Tammiranta
- Finnish Food Authority, Animal Health Diagnostic Unit, Veterinary Virology, Mustialankatu 3, Helsinki FI-00790, Finland
| | - Martin Tinak
- Department of Animal Health, State Veterinary Institute, Pod Dráhami 918, Zvolen 96086, Slovakia
| | - Steven Van Borm
- Avian Virology and Immunology, Sciensano, Rue Groeselenberg 99, Ukkel 1180, Ukkel, Belgium
| | - Siamak Zohari
- Department of Microbiology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Travvägen 20, Uppsala 75189, Sweden
| | - Cornelia Adlhoch
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Gustav III:s boulevard 40, Solna 169 73, Sweden
| | | | - Calogero Terregino
- European Reference Laboratory (EURL) for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale dell'universita 10, Legnaro, Padua 35020, Italy
| | - Isabella Monne
- European Reference Laboratory (EURL) for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale dell'universita 10, Legnaro, Padua 35020, Italy
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13
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Adlhoch C, Alm E, Enkirch T, Lamb F, Melidou A, Willgert K, Marangon S, Monne I, Stegeman JA, Delacourt R, Baldinelli F, Broglia A. Drivers for a pandemic due to avian influenza and options for One Health mitigation measures. EFSA J 2024; 22:e8735. [PMID: 38576537 PMCID: PMC10988447 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Avian influenza viruses (AIV) remain prevalent among wild bird populations in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA), leading to significant illness in and death of birds. Transmission between bird and mammal species has been observed, particularly in fur animal farms, where outbreaks have been reported. While transmission from infected birds to humans is rare, there have been instances of exposure to these viruses since 2020 without any symptomatic infections reported in the EU/EEA. However, these viruses continue to evolve globally, and with the migration of wild birds, new strains carrying potential mutations for mammalian adaptation could be selected. If avian A(H5N1) influenza viruses acquire the ability to spread efficiently among humans, large-scale transmission could occur due to the lack of immune defences against H5 viruses in humans. The emergence of AIV capable of infecting mammals, including humans, can be facilitated by various drivers. Some intrinsic drivers are related to virus characteristics or host susceptibility. Other drivers are extrinsic and may increase exposure of mammals and humans to AIV thereby stimulating mutation and adaptation to mammals. Extrinsic drivers include the ecology of host species, such as including wildlife, human activities like farming practices and the use of natural resources, climatic and environmental factors. One Health measures to mitigate the risk of AIV adapting to mammals and humans focus on limiting exposure and preventing spread. Key options for actions include enhancing surveillance targeting humans and animals, ensuring access to rapid diagnostics, promoting collaboration between animal and human sectors, and implementing preventive measures such as vaccination. Effective communication to different involved target audiences should be emphasised, as well as strengthening veterinary infrastructure, enforcing biosecurity measures at farms, and reducing wildlife contact with domestic animals. Careful planning of poultry and fur animal farming, especially in areas with high waterfowl density, is highlighted for effective risk reduction.
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14
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Graziosi G, Lupini C, Gobbo F, Zecchin B, Quaglia G, Pedrazzoli S, Lizzi G, Dosa G, Martini G, Terregino C, Catelli E. Genetic Diversity of Avian Influenza Viruses Detected in Waterbirds in Northeast Italy Using Two Different Sampling Strategies. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1018. [PMID: 38612257 PMCID: PMC11010841 DOI: 10.3390/ani14071018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Avian influenza viruses (AIVs), which circulate endemically in wild aquatic birds, pose a significant threat to poultry and raise concerns for their zoonotic potential. From August 2021 to April 2022, a multi-site cross-sectional study involving active AIV epidemiological monitoring was conducted in wetlands of the Emilia-Romagna region, northern Italy, adjacent to densely populated poultry areas. A total of 129 cloacal swab samples (CSs) and 407 avian faecal droppings samples (FDs) were collected, with 7 CSs (5.4%) and 4 FDs (1%) testing positive for the AIV matrix gene through rRT-PCR. A COI-barcoding protocol was applied to recognize the species of origin of AIV-positive FDs. Multiple low-pathogenic AIV subtypes were identified, and five of these were isolated, including an H5N3, an H1N1, and three H9N2 in wild ducks. Following whole-genome sequencing, phylogenetic analyses of the hereby obtained strains showed close genetic relationships with AIVs detected in countries along the Black Sea/Mediterranean migratory flyway. Notably, none of the analyzed gene segments were genetically related to HPAI H5N1 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b isolated from Italian poultry during the concurrent 2021-2022 epidemic. Overall, the detected AIV genetic diversity emphasizes the necessity for ongoing monitoring in wild hosts using diverse sampling strategies and whole-genome sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Graziosi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; (C.L.); (G.Q.); (S.P.); (G.L.); (E.C.)
| | - Caterina Lupini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; (C.L.); (G.Q.); (S.P.); (G.L.); (E.C.)
| | - Federica Gobbo
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences Division, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy; (F.G.); (B.Z.); (C.T.)
| | - Bianca Zecchin
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences Division, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy; (F.G.); (B.Z.); (C.T.)
| | - Giulia Quaglia
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; (C.L.); (G.Q.); (S.P.); (G.L.); (E.C.)
| | - Sara Pedrazzoli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; (C.L.); (G.Q.); (S.P.); (G.L.); (E.C.)
| | - Gabriele Lizzi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; (C.L.); (G.Q.); (S.P.); (G.L.); (E.C.)
| | - Geremia Dosa
- Veterinary Services, Local Health Unit of Imola (A.U.S.L. di Imola), 40026 Imola, BO, Italy; (G.D.); (G.M.)
| | - Gabriella Martini
- Veterinary Services, Local Health Unit of Imola (A.U.S.L. di Imola), 40026 Imola, BO, Italy; (G.D.); (G.M.)
| | - Calogero Terregino
- Comparative Biomedical Sciences Division, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy; (F.G.); (B.Z.); (C.T.)
| | - Elena Catelli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; (C.L.); (G.Q.); (S.P.); (G.L.); (E.C.)
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15
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Wolters WJ, Vernooij JCM, Spliethof TM, Wiegel J, Elbers ARW, Spierenburg MAH, Stegeman JA, Velkers FC. Comparison of the Clinical Manifestation of HPAI H5Nx in Different Poultry Types in the Netherlands, 2014-2022. Pathogens 2024; 13:280. [PMID: 38668235 PMCID: PMC11055007 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
This study describes clinical manifestations of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, H5N8 and H5N6 outbreaks between 2014 and 2018 and 2020 and 2022 in the Netherlands for different poultry types and age groups. Adult duck (breeder) farms and juvenile chicken (broiler and laying pullet) farms were not diagnosed before 2020. Outbreaks in ducks decreased in 2020-2022 vs. 2014-2018, but increased for meat-type poultry. Neurological, locomotor and reproductive tract signs were often observed in ducks, whereas laying- and meat-type poultry more often showed mucosal membrane and skin signs, including cyanosis and hemorrhagic conjunctiva. Juveniles (chickens and ducks) showed neurological and locomotor signs more often than adults. Diarrhea occurred more often in adult chickens and juvenile ducks. Mortality increased exponentially within four days before notification in chickens and ducks, with a more fluctuating trend in ducks and meat-type poultry than in layers. For ducks, a mortality ratio (MR) > 3, compared to the average mortality of the previous week, was reached less often than in chickens. A lower percentage of laying flocks with MR > 3 was found for 2020-2022 vs. 2014-2018, but without significant differences in clinical signs. This study provides a basis for improvements in mortality- and clinical-sign-based early warning criteria, especially for juvenile chickens and ducks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy J. Wolters
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (W.J.W.); (J.C.M.V.)
| | - J. C. M. Vernooij
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (W.J.W.); (J.C.M.V.)
| | - Thomas M. Spliethof
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | | | - Armin R. W. Elbers
- Department of Epidemiology, Bioinformatics, Animal Studies and Vaccine Development, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands;
| | | | - J. Arjan Stegeman
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (W.J.W.); (J.C.M.V.)
| | - Francisca C. Velkers
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (W.J.W.); (J.C.M.V.)
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16
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Han J, Chang W, Fang J, Hou X, Li Z, Wang J, Deng W. The H9N2 avian influenza virus increases APEC adhesion to oviduct epithelia by viral NS1 protein-mediated activation of the TGF-β pathway. J Virol 2024; 98:e0151223. [PMID: 38415626 PMCID: PMC10949501 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01512-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
H9N2 avian influenza is a low-pathogenic avian influenza circulating in poultry and wild birds worldwide and frequently contributes to chicken salpingitis that is caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), leading to huge economic losses and risks for food safety. Currently, how the H9N2 virus contributes to APEC infection and facilitates salpingitis remains elusive. In this study, in vitro chicken oviduct epithelial cell (COEC) model and in vivo studies were performed to investigate the role of H9N2 viruses on secondary APEC infection, and we identified that H9N2 virus enhances APEC infection both in vitro and in vivo. To understand the mechanisms behind this phenomenon, adhesive molecules on the cell surface facilitating APEC adhesion were checked, and we found that H9N2 virus could upregulate the expression of fibronectin, which promotes APEC adhesion onto COECs. We further investigated how fibronectin expression is regulated by H9N2 virus infection and revealed that transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway is activated by the NS1 protein of the virus, thus regulating the expression of adhesive molecules. These new findings revealed the role of H9N2 virus in salpingitis co-infected with APEC and discovered the molecular mechanisms by which the H9N2 virus facilitates APEC infection, offering new insights to the etiology of salpingitis with viral-bacterial co-infections.IMPORTANCEH9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) widely infects poultry and is sporadically reported in human infections. The infection in birds frequently causes secondary bacterial infections, resulting in severe symptoms like pneumonia and salpingitis. Currently, the mechanism that influenza A virus contributes to secondary bacterial infection remains elusive. Here we discovered that H9N2 virus infection promotes APEC infection and further explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that fibronectin protein on the cell surface is vital for APEC adhesion and also showed that H9N2 viral protein NS1 increased the expression of fibronectin by activating the TGF-β signaling pathway. Our findings offer new information on how AIV infection promotes APEC secondary infection, providing potential targets for mitigating severe APEC infections induced by H9N2 avian influenza, and also give new insights on the mechanisms on how viruses promote secondary bacterial infections in animal and human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjie Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenchi Chang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Junyang Fang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaolan Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhijun Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jingyu Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wen Deng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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17
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Bessière P, Gaide N, Croville G, Crispo M, Fusade-Boyer M, Abou Monsef Y, Dirat M, Beltrame M, Dendauw P, Lemberger K, Guérin JL, Le Loc'h G. High pathogenicity avian influenza A (H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus infection in a captive Tibetan black bear ( Ursus thibetanus): investigations based on paraffin-embedded tissues, France, 2022. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0373623. [PMID: 38305177 PMCID: PMC10913436 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03736-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) H5Nx of clade 2.3.4.4b have been circulating increasingly in both wild and domestic birds in recent years. In turn, this has led to an increase in the number of spillover events affecting mammals. In November 2022, an HPAIV H5N1 caused an outbreak in a zoological park in the south of France, resulting in the death of a Tibetan black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and several captive and wild bird species. We detected the virus in various tissues of the bear and a wild black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) found dead in its enclosure using histopathology, two different in situ detection techniques, and next-generation sequencing, all performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Phylogenetic analysis performed on the hemagglutinin gene segment showed that bear and gull strains shared 99.998% genetic identity, making the bird strain the closest related strain. We detected the PB2 E627K mutation in minute quantities in the gull, whereas it predominated in the bear, which suggests that this mammalian adaptation marker was selected during the bear infection. Our results provide the first molecular and histopathological characterization of an H5N1 virus infection in this bear species. IMPORTANCE Avian influenza viruses are able to cross the species barrier between birds and mammals because of their high genetic diversity and mutation rate. Using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues, we were able to investigate a Tibetan black bear's infection by a high pathogenicity H5N1 avian influenza virus at the molecular, phylogenetic, and histological levels. Our results highlight the importance of virological surveillance programs in mammals and the importance of raising awareness among veterinarians and zookeepers of the clinical presentations associated with H5Nx virus infection in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicolas Gaide
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Manuela Crispo
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Malorie Dirat
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, Toulouse, France
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18
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Beukenhorst AL, Frallicciardi J, Rice KL, Koldijk MH, Moreira de Mello JC, Klap JM, Hadjichrysanthou C, Koch CM, da Costa KAS, Temperton N, de Jong BA, Vietsch H, Ziere B, Julg B, Koudstaal W, Goudsmit J. A pan-influenza monoclonal antibody neutralizes H5 strains and prophylactically protects through intranasal administration. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3818. [PMID: 38360813 PMCID: PMC10869794 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53049-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Avian A(H5N1) influenza virus poses an elevated zoonotic threat to humans, and no pharmacological products are currently registered for fast-acting pre-exposure protection in case of spillover leading to a pandemic. Here, we show that an epitope on the stem domain of H5 hemagglutinin is highly conserved and that the human monoclonal antibody CR9114, targeting that epitope, potently neutralizes all pseudotyped H5 viruses tested, even in the rare case of substitutions in its epitope. Further, intranasal administration of CR9114 fully protects mice against A(H5N1) infection at low dosages, irrespective of pre-existing immunity conferred by the quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine. These data provide a proof-of-concept for broad, pre-exposure protection against a potential future pandemic using the intranasal administration route. Studies in humans should assess if autonomous administration of a broadly-neutralizing monoclonal antibody is safe and effective and can thus contribute to pandemic preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Beukenhorst
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Leyden Laboratories BV, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- Centre for Epidemiology, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | - Jaco M Klap
- Leyden Laboratories BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Kelly A S da Costa
- Viral Pseudotype Unit, Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent and University of Greenwich, Chatham, UK
| | - Nigel Temperton
- Viral Pseudotype Unit, Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent and University of Greenwich, Chatham, UK
| | | | | | | | - Boris Julg
- Leyden Laboratories BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jaap Goudsmit
- Leyden Laboratories BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Departments of Epidemiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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19
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Karmacharya D, Herrero-García G, Luitel B, Rajbhandari R, Balseiro A. Shared infections at the wildlife-livestock interface and their impact on public health, economy, and biodiversity. Anim Front 2024; 14:20-29. [PMID: 38369992 PMCID: PMC10873012 DOI: 10.1093/af/vfad067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dibesh Karmacharya
- One Health Division, Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, 44600 Kathmandu, Nepal
- One Health Division, BIOVAC Nepal, 45210 Nala, Nepal
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Gloria Herrero-García
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Bibhu Luitel
- One Health Division, BIOVAC Nepal, 45210 Nala, Nepal
| | - Rajesh Rajbhandari
- One Health Division, Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, 44600 Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Ana Balseiro
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
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20
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Nagy A, Stará M, Černíková L, Kličková E, Horák O, Hofmannová L, Sedlák K. Enzootic Circulation, Massive Gull Mortality and Poultry Outbreaks during the 2022/2023 High-Pathogenicity Avian Influenza H5N1 Season in the Czech Republic. Viruses 2024; 16:221. [PMID: 38399998 PMCID: PMC10892573 DOI: 10.3390/v16020221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In 2022/2023, Europe experienced its third consecutive season of high-pathogenicity avian influenza. During this period, the Czech Republic was again severely affected. For the first time, the number of culled birds approached one million, which was three times higher than in previous seasons. In parallel to the outbreaks in poultry, mass die-offs of gulls were also observed. In the present study, we performed whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 137 H5N1 strains collected in the Czech Republic in 2022/2023 (94.6% of all outbreaks or locations). The analysis revealed four distinct genotypes: AB, CH, BB and AF. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the AF genotype persisted from the previous H5N1 season without reassortment. In addition, the genotype BB, which was detected mainly in gulls, showed a noticeable strain diversity at the local level. This virus was also responsible for a single outbreak in commercially bred turkeys. Finally, an interesting spatio-temporal cluster with three co-circulating H5N1 genotypes, AB, CH and AF, was identified with no evidence of intrasubtype reassortment. Highly sensitive molecular surveillance and the timely sharing of genomic sequences and associated metadata could greatly assist in tracking the spread and detecting molecular changes associated with the increased virulence of this potentially zoonotic pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Nagy
- State Veterinary Institute Prague, Sídlištní 136/24, 165 03 Prague, Czech Republic; (M.S.); (L.Č.); (E.K.); (O.H.); (L.H.); (K.S.)
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21
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Scoizec A, Niqueux E, Schmitz A, Grasland B, Palumbo L, Huneau-Salaün A, Le Bouquin S. New Patterns for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Adjustment of Prevention, Control and Surveillance Strategies: The Example of France. Viruses 2024; 16:101. [PMID: 38257801 PMCID: PMC10819649 DOI: 10.3390/v16010101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
From 2020 up to summer 2023, there was a substantial change in the situation concerning the high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in Europe. This change concerned mainly virus circulation within wildlife, both in wild birds and wild mammals. It involved the seasonality of HPAI detections, the species affected, excess mortality events, and the apparent increased level of contamination in wild birds. The knock-on effect concerned new impacts and challenges for the poultry sector, which is affected by repeated annual waves of HPAI arriving with wild migratory birds and by risks due to viral circulation within resident wild birds across the year. Indeed, exceeding expectations, new poultry sectors and production areas have been affected during the recent HPAI seasons in France. The HPAI virus strains involved also generate considerable concern about human health because of enhanced risks of species barrier crossing. In this article, we present these changes in detail, along with the required adjustment of prevention, control, and surveillance strategies, focusing specifically on the situation in France.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axelle Scoizec
- Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, Epidemiology Health and Welfare Unit, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), BP53, 22440 Ploufragan, France; (A.H.-S.); (S.L.B.)
| | - Eric Niqueux
- Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, Avian & Rabbit Virology, Immunology & Parasitology Unit, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), BP53, 22440 Ploufragan, France; (E.N.); (A.S.); (B.G.)
| | - Audrey Schmitz
- Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, Avian & Rabbit Virology, Immunology & Parasitology Unit, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), BP53, 22440 Ploufragan, France; (E.N.); (A.S.); (B.G.)
| | - Béatrice Grasland
- Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, Avian & Rabbit Virology, Immunology & Parasitology Unit, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), BP53, 22440 Ploufragan, France; (E.N.); (A.S.); (B.G.)
| | - Loïc Palumbo
- Research and Scientific Support Department (DRAS), Wildlife Health and Agricultural Ecosystem Functioning Department (SantéAgri), National Biodiversity Office (OFB), 9 Av. Buffon, 45100 Orléans, France;
| | - Adeline Huneau-Salaün
- Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, Epidemiology Health and Welfare Unit, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), BP53, 22440 Ploufragan, France; (A.H.-S.); (S.L.B.)
| | - Sophie Le Bouquin
- Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory, Epidemiology Health and Welfare Unit, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), BP53, 22440 Ploufragan, France; (A.H.-S.); (S.L.B.)
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22
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Rzymski P. Avian influenza outbreaks in domestic cats: another reason to consider slaughter-free cell-cultured poultry? Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1283361. [PMID: 38163084 PMCID: PMC10754994 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1283361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Avian influenza causes substantial economic loss in the poultry industry and potentially threatens human health. Over recent years, the highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus has led to devastating losses in poultry flocks and wild birds. At the same time, the number of mammalian species identified to be infected with A/H5N1 is increasing, with recent outbreaks in domestic cats, including household individuals, evidenced in July 2023 in Poland, ultimately creating opportunities for the virus to adapt better to mammalian hosts, including humans. Overall, between 2003 and 2023, over 10 outbreaks in felids have been documented globally, and in six of them, feed based on raw chicken was suspected as a potential source of A/H5N1, fuelling a debate on threats posed by A/H5N1 and methods to decrease the associated risks. This article debates that technology allowing the production of slaughter-free meat, including poultry, from cell and tissue cultures could be considered as a part of a mitigation strategy to decrease the overall burden and threat of adaptation of avian influenza viruses to human hosts. By shifting poultry production to the cultured meat industry, the frequency of A/H5N1 outbreaks in farmed birds may be decreased, leading to a reduced risk of virus acquisition by wild and domesticated mammals that have direct contact with birds or eat raw poultry and have close contact with human (including domestic cats), ultimately minimizing the potential of A/H5N1 to adapt better to mammalian host, including humans. This adds to the list of other benefits of cultured meat that are also reviewed in this paper, including decreased antibiotic use, risk of microbial contamination and parasite transmission, and environmental and ethical advantages over conventional slaughtered meat. In conclusion, further development and implementation of this technology, also in the context of poultry production, is strongly advocated. Although cultured poultry is unlikely to replace the conventional process in the near future due to challenges with scaling up the production and meeting the continuously increased demand for poultry meat, it may still decrease the pressures and threats related to the transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza in selected world regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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23
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Bessière P, Hayes B, Filaire F, Lèbre L, Vergne T, Pinson M, Croville G, Guérin JL. Optimizing environmental viral surveillance: bovine serum albumin increases RT-qPCR sensitivity for high pathogenicity avian influenza H5Nx virus detection from dust samples. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0305523. [PMID: 37982626 PMCID: PMC10715206 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03055-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE With the circulation of high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses having intensified considerably in recent years, the European Union is considering the vaccination of farmed birds. A prerequisite for this vaccination is the implementation of drastic surveillance protocols. Environmental sampling is a relevant alternative to animal sampling. However, environmental samples often contain inhibitory compounds in large enough quantities to inhibit RT-qPCR reactions. As bovine serum albumin is a molecule used in many fields to overcome this inhibitory effect, we tested its use on dust samples from poultry farms in areas heavily affected by HPAIV epizootics. Our results show that its use significantly increases the sensitivity of the method.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandon Hayes
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, Toulouse, France
| | - Fabien Filaire
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, Toulouse, France
- THESEO France, LanXess Biosecurity, LanXess Group, Laval, France
| | - Laetitia Lèbre
- IHAP, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, Toulouse, France
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24
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Aznar I, Kohnle L, Stoicescu A, van Houtum A, Zancanaro G. Annual report on surveillance for avian influenza in poultry and wild birds in Member States of the European Union in 2022. EFSA J 2023; 21:e8480. [PMID: 38099051 PMCID: PMC10719745 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
All European Union (EU) Member States (MSs) are required to implement surveillance for avian influenza (AI) in poultry and wild birds and (i) to notify the outbreaks, when relevant and (ii) to report the results to the responsible authority. In addition, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) also implement ongoing surveillance programmes to monitor occurrences of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in poultry and wild birds. EFSA received a mandate from the European Commission to collate, validate, analyse and summarise the data resulting from these AI surveillance programmes in an annual report. The present report summarises the results of the surveillance activities carried out in MSs, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) in 2022. Overall, the 31 reporting countries (RCs) sampled 22,171 poultry establishments (PEs) during the 2022 surveillance activity: 18,490 PEs were sampled for serological testing and 3775 were sampled for virological testing. Some PEs were therefore sampled for both type of analytical methods. Out of the 18,490 PEs sampled for serological testing, 15 (0.08%) were seropositive for influenza A(H5) viruses. Out of the 3775 PEs sampled for virological testing, 74 PEs (1.96%) were positive to the virological assay for influenza A(H5) viruses. Seropositive PEs were found in four RCs (Belgium, Poland, Spain and Sweden) and as in previous years, the highest percentages of seropositive PEs were found in PEs raising breeding geese and waterfowl game birds. Out of these 15 seropositive PEs, 3 also tested positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for influenza A (H5) viruses - 2 for highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) and 1 low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) (H5N3). In relation to the virological surveys, 10 RCs (32%) out of the 31 reported the detection of A (H5) viruses in 74 PEs, covering 12 different poultry categories. More specifically, 54 reported HPAIV A(H5N1), 17 HPAIV (H5N8), 2 AIV (H5N1) with unknown virus pathogenicity and 1 low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) (H5N3). Additionally, six PEs tested positive for undefined AIVs in three RCs. A total of 32,143 wild birds were sampled, with 4163 (12.95%) wild birds testing positive for HPAIVs by PCR, from 25 RCs. In contrast to previous years, out of the 4163 wild birds testing positive for HPAIv, subtype A(H5N1) virus was the main influenza A virus subtype identified among the wild bird testing positive for HPAIVs (3942; 95%). In addition, RCs also reported 984 wild birds testing positive for low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI). Out of those, for 660 (67%) it was ascertained that the subtype was non-A(H5/H7); 260 (26%) wild birds tested positive for LPAIv of A(H5 or H7) subtypes and the remaining 64 (7%) LPAI viruses were belonging to other H-subtypes.
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25
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Zhang H, Sun J, Feng Y, Li J, Wang N, Zhao X, Li Y, Hu J, Sun L, Xu C. A murine monoclonal antibody against H5N1 avian influenza virus cross-reacts with human kidney cortex cells. Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:373. [PMID: 37934248 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03693-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the biological characteristics of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against avian influenza virus (AIV) and the possible mechanism of AIV-related kidney injury. BALB/c mice were immunized with inactivated H5N1 AIV to prepare monoclonal antibody H5-32, and its subtype, titer and cross-reactivity with other influenza viruses were identified. The reactivity of monoclonal antibody with normal human tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning technique were used to detect the binding sites between mAb and human renal cortical cells, and Western blotting was used to detect the size of binding fragments. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that monoclonal antibody H5-32 cross-reacted with normal human kidney tissue. In human kidney, mAb H5-32 was localized in the cytoplasm of human renal tubular epithelial cells, and its binding fragment size was about 43 kDa. H5N1 AIV appears to bind to human renal tubular epithelial cells, which may be one of the mechanisms of kidney injury caused by AIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixiang Zhang
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, No. 256 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China
- Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Immunology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingying Sun
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, No. 256 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China
- Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Immunology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangmeng Feng
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, No. 256 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China
- Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Immunology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingli Li
- Pharmacy Department, Xi'an No. 3 Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, 710021, People's Republic of China
| | - Nana Wang
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, No. 256 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China
- Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Immunology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangrong Zhao
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, No. 256 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China
- Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Immunology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Li
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, No. 256 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China
- Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Immunology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Hu
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, No. 256 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China
- Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Immunology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijun Sun
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, No. 256 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China.
- Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Immunology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China.
| | - Cuixiang Xu
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Infection and Immune Diseases, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, No. 256 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China.
- Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Immunology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, People's Republic of China.
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26
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Bauer L, Benavides FFW, Veldhuis Kroeze EJB, de Wit E, van Riel D. The neuropathogenesis of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5Nx viruses in mammalian species including humans. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:953-970. [PMID: 37684136 PMCID: PMC10591965 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5Nx viruses of the A/Goose/Guangdong/1/96 lineage in birds regularly causes infections of mammals, including humans. In many mammalian species, infections are associated with severe neurological disease, a unique feature of HPAI H5Nx viruses compared with other influenza A viruses. Here, we provide an overview of the neuropathogenesis of HPAI H5Nx virus infection in mammals, centered on three aspects: neuroinvasion, neurotropism, and neurovirulence. We focus on in vitro studies, as well as studies on naturally or experimentally infected mammals. Additionally, we discuss the contribution of viral factors to the neuropathogenesis of HPAI H5Nx virus infections and the efficacy of intervention strategies to prevent neuroinvasion or the development of neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Bauer
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Emmie de Wit
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - Debby van Riel
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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27
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Franzi E, Mathez G, Dinant S, Deloizy C, Kaiser L, Tapparel C, Le Goffic R, Cagno V. Non-Steroidal Estrogens Inhibit Influenza Virus by Interacting with Hemagglutinin and Preventing Viral Fusion. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15382. [PMID: 37895062 PMCID: PMC10607366 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus is one of the main causes of respiratory infections worldwide. Despite the availability of seasonal vaccines and antivirals, influenza virus infections cause an important health and economic burden. Therefore, the need to identify alternative antiviral strategies persists. In this study, we identified non-steroidal estrogens as potent inhibitors of influenza virus due to their interaction with the hemagglutinin protein, preventing viral entry. This activity is maintained in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. Therefore, we found a new domain to target on the hemagglutinin and a class of compounds that could be further optimized for influenza treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Franzi
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gregory Mathez
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Soraya Dinant
- INRAE, UVSQ, UMR892 VIM, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Charlotte Deloizy
- INRAE, UVSQ, UMR892 VIM, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Laurent Kaiser
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Infectious Diseases and Division of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
- Center for Emerging Viruses, Geneva University Hospitals, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Tapparel
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ronan Le Goffic
- INRAE, UVSQ, UMR892 VIM, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Valeria Cagno
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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28
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Morens DM, Park J, Taubenberger JK. Many potential pathways to future pandemic influenza. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadj2379. [PMID: 37851826 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adj2379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Although influenza A viruses have caused pandemics for centuries, future pandemics cannot be predicted with our current understanding and resources. Concern about an H5N1 avian influenza pandemic has caused alarm since 1997, but there are many other possible routes to pandemic influenza.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Morens
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jaekeun Park
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Jeffery K Taubenberger
- Viral Pathogenesis and Evolution Section, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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29
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Godoy M, de Oca MM, Caro D, Pontigo JP, Kibenge M, Kibenge F. Evolution and Current Status of Influenza A Virus in Chile: A Review. Pathogens 2023; 12:1252. [PMID: 37887768 PMCID: PMC10610240 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The influenza A virus (IAV) poses a significant global threat to public health and food security. Particularly concerning is the avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H5N1, which has spread from Europe to North and Central/South America. This review presents recent developments in IAV evolution in birds, mammals, and humans in Chile. Chile's encounter with IAV began in 2002, with the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H7N3 virus, derived from a unique South American low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus. In 2016-2017, LPAI H7N6 caused outbreaks in turkey, linked to wild birds in Chile and Bolivia. The pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 (H1N1pdm09) virus in 2009 decreased egg production in turkeys. Since 2012, diverse IAV subtypes have emerged in backyard poultry and pigs. Reassortant AIVs, incorporating genes from both North and South American isolates, have been found in wild birds since 2007. Notably, from December 2022, HPAI H5N1 was detected in wild birds, sea lions, and a human, along Chile's north coast. It was introduced through Atlantic migratory flyways from North America. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced biosecurity on poultry farms and ongoing genomic surveillance to understand and manage AIVs in both wild and domestic bird populations in Chile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Godoy
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Aplicadas (CIBA), Puerto Montt 5480000, Chile; (M.M.d.O.); (D.C.)
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias de la Naturaleza, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Sede de la Patagonia, Universidad San Sebastián, Puerto Montt 5480000, Chile;
| | - Marco Montes de Oca
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Aplicadas (CIBA), Puerto Montt 5480000, Chile; (M.M.d.O.); (D.C.)
| | - Diego Caro
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Aplicadas (CIBA), Puerto Montt 5480000, Chile; (M.M.d.O.); (D.C.)
| | - Juan Pablo Pontigo
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias de la Naturaleza, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Sede de la Patagonia, Universidad San Sebastián, Puerto Montt 5480000, Chile;
| | - Molly Kibenge
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Ave, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada;
| | - Frederick Kibenge
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Ave, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada;
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30
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Papatsiros VG, Papakonstantinou GI, Meletis E, Koutoulis K, Athanasakopoulou Z, Maragkakis G, Labronikou G, Terzidis I, Kostoulas P, Billinis C. Seroprevalence of Swine Influenza A Virus (swIAV) Infections in Commercial Farrow-to-Finish Pig Farms in Greece. Vet Sci 2023; 10:599. [PMID: 37888551 PMCID: PMC10610732 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10100599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Swine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza A virus infection. Pigs play an important role in the overall epidemiology of influenza because of their ability to transmit influenza viruses of avian and human origin, which plays a potential role in the emergence of zoonotic strains with pandemic potential. The aim of our study was to assess the seroprevalence of Swine Influenza Viruses (swIAVs) in commercial pig farms in Greece. A total of 1416 blood samples were collected from breeding animals (gilts and sows) and pigs aged 3 weeks to market age from 40 different swIAV vaccinated and unvaccinated commercial farrow-to-finish pig farms. For the detection of anti-SIV antibodies, sera were analyzed using an indirect ELISA kit CIVTEST SUIS INFLUENZA®, Hipra (Amer, Spain). Of the total 1416 animals tested, 498 were seropositive, indicating that the virus circulates in both vaccinated (54% seroprevalence) and unvaccinated Greek pig farms (23% seroprevalence). In addition, maternally derived antibody (MDA) levels were lower in pigs at 4 and 7 weeks of age in unvaccinated farms than in vaccinated farms. In conclusion, our results underscore the importance of vaccination as an effective tool for the prevention of swIAV infections in commercial farrow-to-finish pig farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios G. Papatsiros
- Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (G.I.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Georgios I. Papakonstantinou
- Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (G.I.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Eleftherios Meletis
- Faculty of Public and One Health, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (E.M.); (P.K.)
| | - Konstantinos Koutoulis
- Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece;
| | - Zoi Athanasakopoulou
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (C.B.)
| | - Georgios Maragkakis
- Clinic of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (G.I.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Georgia Labronikou
- Swine Technical Support, Hipra Hellas SA, 10441 Athens, Greece; (G.L.); (I.T.)
| | - Ilias Terzidis
- Swine Technical Support, Hipra Hellas SA, 10441 Athens, Greece; (G.L.); (I.T.)
| | - Polychronis Kostoulas
- Faculty of Public and One Health, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (E.M.); (P.K.)
| | - Charalambos Billinis
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece; (Z.A.); (C.B.)
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31
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Szaluś-Jordanow O, Golke A, Dzieciątkowski T, Chrobak-Chmiel D, Rzewuska M, Czopowicz M, Sapierzyński R, Kardas M, Biernacka K, Mickiewicz M, Moroz-Fik A, Łobaczewski A, Stefańska I, Kwiecień E, Markowska-Daniel I, Frymus T. A Fatal A/H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus Infection in a Cat in Poland. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2263. [PMID: 37764107 PMCID: PMC10538095 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A European Shorthair male cat, neutered, approximately 6 years of age, was presented to the veterinary clinic due to apathy and anorexia. The cat lived mostly outdoors and was fed raw chicken meat. After 3 days of diagnostic procedures and symptomatic treatment, respiratory distress and neurological signs developed and progressed into epileptic seizures, followed by respiratory and cardiac arrest within the next 3 days. Post-mortem examination revealed necrotic lesions in the liver, lungs, and intestines. Notably, the brain displayed perivascular infiltration of lymphocytes and histiocytes. Few foci of neuronal necrosis in the brain were also confirmed. Microscopic examination of the remaining internal organs was unremarkable. The A/H5N1 virus infection was confirmed using a one-step real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The disease caused severe neurological and respiratory signs, evidence of consolidations and the presence of numerous B lines, which were detected on lung ultrasound examination; the postmortem findings and detection of A/H5N1 viral RNA in multiple tissues indicated a generalized A/H5N1 virus infection. Moreover, a multidrug-resistant strain of Enterococcus faecium was isolated in pure culture from several internal organs. The source of infection could be exposure to infected birds or their excrements, as well as contaminated raw poultry meat but, in this case, the source of infection could not be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Szaluś-Jordanow
- Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Golke
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Dzieciątkowski
- Chair and Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Chałubińskiego 5, 02-004 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Chrobak-Chmiel
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Rzewuska
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Czopowicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Sapierzyński
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Kardas
- Veterinary Clinic Auxilium, Arkadiusz Olkowski, Królewska Str. 64, 05-822 Milanówek, Poland
| | - Kinga Biernacka
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Mickiewicz
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Moroz-Fik
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Łobaczewski
- Veterinary Clinic Auxilium, Arkadiusz Olkowski, Królewska Str. 64, 05-822 Milanówek, Poland
| | - Ilona Stefańska
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewelina Kwiecień
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iwona Markowska-Daniel
- Division of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Frymus
- Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
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32
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Harder T, de Wit S, Gonzales JL, Ho JHP, Mulatti P, Prajitno TY, Stegeman A. Epidemiology-driven approaches to surveillance in HPAI-vaccinated poultry flocks aiming to demonstrate freedom from circulating HPAIV. Biologicals 2023; 83:101694. [PMID: 37494751 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2023.101694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Incursion pressure of high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) by secondary spread among poultry holdings and/or from infected migratory wild bird populations increases worldwide. Vaccination as an additional layer of protection of poultry holdings using appropriately matched vaccines aims at reducing clinical sequelae of HPAIV infection, disrupting HPAIV transmission, curtailing economic losses and animal welfare problems and cutting exposure risks of zoonotic HPAIV at the avian-human interface. Products derived from HPAIV-vaccinated poultry should not impose any risk of virus spread or exposure. Vaccination can be carried out with zero-tolerance for infection in vaccinated herds and must then be flanked by appropriate surveillance which requires tailoring at several levels: (i) Controlling appropriate vaccination coverage and adequate population immunity in individual flocks and across vaccinated populations; (ii) assessing HPAI-infection trends in unvaccinated and vaccinated parts of the poultry population to provide early detection of new/re-emerged HPAIV outbreaks; and (iii) proving absence of HPAIV circulation in vaccinated flocks ideally by real time-monitoring. Surveillance strategies, i.e. selecting targets, tools and random sample sizes, must be accommodated to the specific epidemiologic and socio-economic background. Methodological approaches and practical examples from three countries or territories applying AI vaccination under different circumstances are reviewed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timm Harder
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler Institute, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Sjaak de Wit
- Royal GD, Deventer, the Netherlands; Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jose L Gonzales
- Epidemiology, Bio-informatics & Animal Models, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Jeremy H P Ho
- Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China
| | - Paolo Mulatti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Teguh Y Prajitno
- Japfa Comfeed Indonesia, Vaksindo Satwa Nusantara, Animal Health & Laboratory Services, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Arjan Stegeman
- Department Population Health Sciences, Farm Animal Health, Veterinary Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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33
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Horefti E. The Importance of the One Health Concept in Combating Zoonoses. Pathogens 2023; 12:977. [PMID: 37623937 PMCID: PMC10460008 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12080977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
One Health fundamentally acknowledges that human health is linked to animal health and the environment. One of the pillars One Health is built on is zoonoses. Through the years, zoonotic infections have caused numerous outbreaks and pandemics, as well as millions of fatalities, with the COVID-19 pandemic being the latest one. Apart from the consequences to public health, zoonoses also affect society and the economy. Since its establishment, One Health has contributed significantly to the protection of humans, animals, and the environment, through preparedness, surveillance, and mitigation of such public dangers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Horefti
- Public Health Laboratories and Diagnostic Department, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece
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34
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Meseko C, Milani A, Inuwa B, Chinyere C, Shittu I, Ahmed J, Giussani E, Palumbo E, Zecchin B, Bonfante F, Maniero S, Angot A, Niang M, Fusaro A, Gobbo F, Terregino C, Olasoju T, Monne I, Muhammad M. The Evolution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5) in Poultry in Nigeria, 2021-2022. Viruses 2023; 15:1387. [PMID: 37376688 DOI: 10.3390/v15061387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2021, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and global food insecurity, the Nigerian poultry sector was exposed to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus and its economic challenges. Between 2021 and 2022, HPAI caused 467 outbreaks reported in 31 of the 37 administrative regions in Nigeria. In this study, we characterized the genomes of 97 influenza A viruses of the subtypes H5N1, H5N2, and H5N8, which were identified in different agro-ecological zones and farms during the 2021-2022 epidemic. The phylogenetic analysis of the HA genes showed a widespread distribution of the H5Nx clade 2.3.4.4b and similarity with the HPAI H5Nx viruses that have been detected in Europe since late 2020. The topology of the phylogenetic trees indicated the occurrence of several independent introductions of the virus into the country, followed by a regional evolution of the virus that was most probably linked to its persistent circulation in West African territories. Additional evidence of the evolutionary potential of the HPAI viruses circulating in this region is the identification in this study of a putative H5N1/H9N2 reassortant virus in a mixed-species commercial poultry farm. Our data confirm Nigeria as a crucial hotspot for HPAI virus introduction from the Eurasian territories and reveal a dynamic pattern of avian influenza virus evolution within the Nigerian poultry population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clement Meseko
- Regional Laboratory for Animal Influenza & Transboundary Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom 930101, Nigeria
| | - Adelaide Milani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences (BSBIO), 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Bitrus Inuwa
- Regional Laboratory for Animal Influenza & Transboundary Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom 930101, Nigeria
| | - Chinonyerem Chinyere
- Regional Laboratory for Animal Influenza & Transboundary Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom 930101, Nigeria
| | - Ismaila Shittu
- Regional Laboratory for Animal Influenza & Transboundary Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom 930101, Nigeria
| | - James Ahmed
- Regional Laboratory for Animal Influenza & Transboundary Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom 930101, Nigeria
| | - Edoardo Giussani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences (BSBIO), 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Elisa Palumbo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences (BSBIO), 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Bianca Zecchin
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences (BSBIO), 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Bonfante
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences (BSBIO), 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Maniero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences (BSBIO), 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Angélique Angot
- Animal Health Service (NSAH), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN), 00198 Rome, Italy
| | - Mamadou Niang
- Regional Office for Africa (RAF), Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN), Accra 00233, Ghana
| | - Alice Fusaro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences (BSBIO), 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Federica Gobbo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences (BSBIO), 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Calogero Terregino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences (BSBIO), 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Taiwo Olasoju
- Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services (FDV&PCS), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Abuja 900108, Nigeria
| | - Isabella Monne
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences (BSBIO), 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Maryam Muhammad
- Regional Laboratory for Animal Influenza & Transboundary Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom 930101, Nigeria
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35
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Abolnik C, Phiri T, Peyrot B, de Beer R, Snyman A, Roberts D, Ludynia K, Jordaan F, Maartens M, Ismail Z, Strydom C, van der Zel G, Anthony J, Daniell N, De Boni L, Grewar J, Olivier A, Roberts L. The Molecular Epidemiology of Clade 2.3.4.4B H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in Southern Africa, 2021-2022. Viruses 2023; 15:1383. [PMID: 37376682 DOI: 10.3390/v15061383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In southern Africa, clade 2.3.4.4B H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) was first detected in South African (SA) poultry in April 2021, followed by outbreaks in poultry or wild birds in Lesotho and Botswana. In this study, the complete or partial genomes of 117 viruses from the SA outbreaks in 2021-2022 were analyzed to decipher the sub-regional spread of the disease. Our analysis showed that seven H5N1 sub-genotypes were associated with the initial outbreaks, but by late 2022 only two sub-genotypes still circulated. Furthermore, SA poultry was not the source of Lesotho's outbreaks, and the latter was most likely an introduction from wild birds. Similarly, SA and Botswana's outbreaks in 2021 were unrelated, but viruses of Botswana's unique sub-genotype were introduced into SA later in 2022 causing an outbreak in ostriches. At least 83% of SA's commercial poultry cases in 2021-2022 were point introductions from wild birds. Like H5N8 HPAI in 2017-2018, a coastal seabird-restricted sub-lineage of H5N1 viruses emerged in the Western Cape province in 2021 and spread to Namibia, causing mortalities in Cape Cormorants. In SA ~24,000 of this endangered species died, and the loss of >300 endangered African penguins further threatens biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Abolnik
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
| | - Thandeka Phiri
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
| | - Belinda Peyrot
- Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Renee de Beer
- Provincial Veterinary Laboratory, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| | - Albert Snyman
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town 7441, South Africa
| | - David Roberts
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town 7441, South Africa
| | - Katrin Ludynia
- Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town 7441, South Africa
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | | | | | - Zehaad Ismail
- SMT Veterinary Laboratory, Irene, Pretoria 0178, South Africa
| | - Christine Strydom
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
- SMT Veterinary Laboratory, Irene, Pretoria 0178, South Africa
| | - Gerbrand van der Zel
- Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - Jade Anthony
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
| | - Nadine Daniell
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
| | - Liesl De Boni
- Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - John Grewar
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
- jDATA (Pty) Ltd., Sandbaai 7200, South Africa
| | - Adriaan Olivier
- South African Ostrich Business Chamber, Oudtshoorn 6620, South Africa
| | - Laura Roberts
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
- Department of Agriculture, Western Cape Government, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa
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Agha ASK, Benlashehr I, Naffati KM, Bshina SA, Khashkhosha AA. Correlation of avian influenza-H9N2 with high mortality in broiler flocks in the southwest of Tripoli, Libya. Open Vet J 2023; 13:715-722. [PMID: 37545701 PMCID: PMC10399647 DOI: 10.5455/ovj.2023.v13.i6.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Low pathogenic H9N2 avian influenza (LPAI H9N2) caused by the influenza A virus which belongs to the family Orthomyxoviridae. It caused mild respiratory symptoms and a drop in egg production in poultry. Outbreaks of AI-H9N2 have occurred in poultry since the 1990s in many countries in USA, Europe, and Asia. Recently, outbreaks of H9N2 in commercial chicken were recorded in Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. Furthermore, numerous studies demonstrated that co-infection with AI H9N2 and other pathogens results in severe respiratory illness with high mortality in broiler chickens. Outbreaks of respiratory disease with variations in mortality rate were recorded in broiler flocks growing in the southwest of Tripoli in Libya. Aim The present study was conducted to explain the variation of mortality rate on broiler flocks growing in the southwest area of Tripoli by detection of AI H9N2 antibodies and antigens. Methods A total of 453 sera samples, 60 tracheal swabs, and 60 cloacal swabs were collected from unvaccinated broiler flocks against avian influenza. Specific avian influenza type A antibodies were detected by using the Elisa test, and specific AI-H9N2 antibodies were detected by using the HI test, whereas specific AI-H9N2 antigens were detected in tracheal and cloacal swabs by using One-Step RT-PCR (M gene) technique. Results Respiratory diseases with high variations in mortality rate were recorded in broiler flocks growing in the southwest of Tripoli in Libya; the broiler mortality rate in Twisha farms was higher than other farms (62.2% and 11%, respectively). Whereas avian influenza type A antibodies were detected at a high level in Twisha and other farms (95.2%, and 76.7%, respectively). The positive samples for AI type A were tested for AI H9N2 using the HI test. Interestingly the percentage of AI-H9N2 antibodies was quite similar in high and low mortality regions (53.4% and 46.8%, respectively). Additionally, AI-H9N2 antigens were detected only in tracheal swabs in Twisha farm 3, Al-Maamoura, and Ber Al-Tota districts. Conclusion This study confirmed the endemic of AI- H9N2 in broiler flocks in the southwest of Tripoli-Libya. Also, it clarified that AI-H9N2 was not responsible for the high mortality rate by itself in broiler flocks. Moreover, this study supported the presence of other subtypes of avian influenza in the studied area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Imad Benlashehr
- Department of Poultry and Fish Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Libya
| | | | - Salah Abdulhadi Bshina
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Azzaytuna University, Tarhuna, Libya
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Rasmussen EA, Czaja A, Cuthbert FJ, Tan GS, Lemey P, Nelson MI, Culhane MR. Influenza A viruses in gulls in landfills and freshwater habitats in Minnesota, United States. Front Genet 2023; 14:1172048. [PMID: 37229191 PMCID: PMC10203411 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1172048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The unpredictable evolution of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) presents an ongoing threat to agricultural production and public and wildlife health. Severe outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses in US poultry and wild birds since 2022 highlight the urgent need to understand the changing ecology of AIV. Surveillance of gulls in marine coastal environments has intensified in recent years to learn how their long-range pelagic movements potentially facilitate inter-hemispheric AIV movements. In contrast, little is known about inland gulls and their role in AIV spillover, maintenance, and long-range dissemination. Methods: To address this gap, we conducted active AIV surveillance in ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) and Franklin's gulls (Leucophaeus pipixcan) in Minnesota's natural freshwater lakes during the summer breeding season and in landfills during fall migration (1,686 samples). Results: Whole-genome AIV sequences obtained from 40 individuals revealed three-lineage reassortants with a mix of genome segments from the avian Americas lineage, avian Eurasian lineage, and a global "Gull" lineage that diverged more than 50 years ago from the rest of the AIV global gene pool. No poultry viruses contained gull-adapted H13, NP, or NS genes, pointing to limited spillover. Geolocators traced gull migration routes across multiple North American flyways, explaining how inland gulls imported diverse AIV lineages from distant locations. Migration patterns were highly varied and deviated far from assumed "textbook" routes. Discussion: Viruses circulating in Minnesota gulls during the summer breeding season in freshwater environments reappeared in autumn landfills, evidence of AIV persistence in gulls between seasons and transmission between habitats. Going forward, wider adoption of technological advances in animal tracking devices and genetic sequencing is needed to expand AIV surveillance in understudied hosts and habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Rasmussen
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
| | - Agata Czaja
- Computational Biology Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Francesca J. Cuthbert
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Gene S. Tan
- J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Philippe Lemey
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Martha I. Nelson
- Computational Biology Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Marie R. Culhane
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
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Adlhoch C, Baldinelli F. Avian influenza, new aspects of an old threat. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2300227. [PMID: 37166760 PMCID: PMC10176828 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.19.2300227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Adlhoch
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
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