A novel highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza virus isolated from a wild duck in China

Migrating wild birds are considered natural reservoirs of influenza viruses and serve as a potential source of novel influenza strains in humans and livestock. During routine avian influenza surveillance conducted in eastern China, a novel H5N8 (SH‐9) reassortant influenza virus was isolated from a mallard duck in China. blast analysis revealed that the HA, NA, PB1, PA, NP, and M segments of SH‐9 were most closely related to the corresponding segments of A/duck/Jiangsu/k1203/2010 (H5N8). The SH‐9 virus preferentially recognized avian‐like influenza virus receptors and was highly pathogenic in mice. Our results suggest that wild birds could acquire the H5N8 virus from breeding ducks and spread the virus via migratory bird flyways.     

福建省人感染H5N6禽流感病毒与外环境禽流感病毒相关性分析

目的分析福建省外环境H5亚型禽流感病毒分布情况及与人感染H5N6禽流感的关系,为人感染禽流感的科学防治提供依据。方法收集2013-2017年福建省外环境常规监测标本信息,进行统计分析。从数据库下载相关禽流感病毒基因序列,进行基因同源性比对和系统进化分析。结果外环境监测结果统计分析显示:2013-2017年共采集样本4 903份,H5亚型阳性率为4.24%,且不同的网络实验室(χ~2=101.033)、监测场所(χ~2=45.526)、标本类型(χ~2=31.751)和季节(χ~2=48.174)阳性率均存在统计学差异(P<0.05)。福建省首例人感染H5N6禽流感(A/Fujian-Sanyuan/21099/2017)病毒全基因序列与6株福建省外环境H5N6病毒的同源性在85.1%~98.5%,与病家院中采集的1株加强监测外环境标本的HA和NA基因同源性分别为100.0%和99.9%。系统进化分析显示:福建省人感染H5N6病毒HA基因与加强监测的外环境H5N6病毒的进化距离最近,与其余6株距离较远,处在不同的进化分枝中,其基因源于H5N8病毒;而NA基因则与7株外环境H5N6病毒的进化距离较近,源于H5N6病毒。结论福建省冬春季外环境中禽流感活动较为活跃,应加强活禽交易市场的卫生管理工作。福建省发现的首例人感染H5N6禽流感与外环境禽流感病毒的重配可能存在一定的相关性。     

Global epidemiology of human infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses

Abstract:   From 1997 through 2007, human infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses resulted in rare, sporadic, severe and fatal cases among persons in 14 countries in Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Africa. Of 369 reported human H5N1 cases that occurred from 1997 through 2007, overall mortality was 60%. Ten antigenically and genetically distinct clades of H5N1 viruses have been identified to date, and strains from four clades have infected humans. Surveillance has focused upon hospitalized cases of febrile acute lower respiratory tract disease among persons with exposure to sick or dead poultry, or to a human H5N1 case. Detection of H5N1 virus infection is based primarily upon collection of respiratory tract specimens from suspected cases for RT-PCR testing. Most human H5N1 cases were previously healthy children or young adults who developed severe acute pulmonary or multi-organ disease following direct or close contact with sick or dead H5N1 virus–infected poultry. Occasional clusters of H5N1 cases have occurred, predominantly among blood-related family members. Limited human-to-human H5N1 virus transmission has been reported or could not be excluded in some clusters. The frequency of asymptomatic or clinically mild H5N1 virus infection is unknown, but limited investigations suggest that such infections have been rare since 2003. There is no evidence of sustained human-to-human H5N1 virus spread. However, H5N1 viruses continue to circulate and evolve among poultry in many countries, and there are many unanswered questions about human infection with H5N1 viruses. Thus, the pandemic influenza threat presented by H5N1 viruses persists.     

A case of avian influenza A(H5N1) in England,January 2022

On 5 January 2022, high pathogenicity avian influenza A(H5N1) was confirmed in an individual who kept a large flock of ducks at their home in England. The individual remained asymptomatic. H5N1 was confirmed in 19/20 sampled live birds on 22 December 2021. Comprehensive contact tracing (n = 11) revealed no additional primary cases or secondary transmissions. Active surveillance of exposed individuals is essential for case identification. Asymptomatic swabbing helped refine public health risk assessment and facilitated case management given changes in avian influenza epidemiology.     

Revised and updated nomenclature for highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses

The divergence of the hemagglutinin gene of A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996‐lineage H5N1 viruses during 2011 and 2012 (807 new sequences collected through December 31, 2012) was analyzed by phylogenetic and p‐distance methods to define new clades using the pre‐established nomenclature system. Eight new clade designations were recommended based on division of clade 1·1 (Mekong River Delta), 2·1·3·2 (Indonesia), 2·2·2 (India/Bangladesh), 2·2·1·1 (Egypt/Israel), and 2·3·2·1 (Asia). A simplification to the previously defined criteria, which adds a letter rather than number to the right‐most digit of fifth‐order clades, was proposed to facilitate this and future updates.     

湖北省首例人感染H5N6禽流感病例实验室检测结果分析

目的分析湖北省首例人感染H5N6禽流感病例的实验室检测结果,为更好地检测人禽流感疑似病例标本提供参考。方法对患者的不同病程、不同种类的标本进行实验室检测并进行分析。结果我省首例人感染H5N6禽流感确诊病例只有前期的痰液标本检测到H5N6核酸,其它时间未检测到。结论疑似人感染H5N6禽流感病例标本采集一定多样化,而且一定采集到初期的痰液标本。     

安徽省首例人感染H5N6禽流感病例的调查与分析

目的 分析安徽省首例人感染H5N6禽流感病例发病与流行病学特征,为制定监测方案与防控措施提供科学依据。方法 对人感染H5N6禽流感病例、密切接触者、感染来源进行流行病学调查,采集相关生物和环境标本进行实验室检测,应用描述性流行病学方法进行分析。结果 安徽省首例人感染H5N6禽流感病例为单个散发病例,密切接触者无感染,早期临床表现无特异性,发病前一周有明确的病死禽接触史,病禽市场检出2份H5N6 阳性标本。结论 该病例为本地感染病例,感染来源与接触病死禽有关,未发现人传人的证据。     

1株重组H6N2禽流感病毒全基因组特征分析

目的 掌握广州地区禽类市场H6N2亚型禽流感病毒的分子遗传特征,为禽流感的科学防控提供研究数据.方法 对禽类市场外环境分离株A/EN/Guangzhou/13565/2018(H6N2)进行全基因组序列测定,应用生物信息软件分析分子遗传特征.结果 A/EN/Guangzho u/13 5 6 5/2018(H6 N2)...     

人感染高致病性禽流感病毒A/Fujian/1/2007(H5N1)株基因组序列测定及分析

目的对福建省分离的高致病性禽流感病毒A/Fujian/1/2007(H5N1)株进行全基因组序列测定,了解病毒序列及进化特征。方法SPF鸡胚分离法分离A/Fujian/1/2007(H5N1)株病毒,并提取病毒RNA。病毒RNA经通用引物逆转录后,应用特异性引物分别扩增病毒各节段,产物经TA克隆到载体中进行测序并对结果进行排列、拼接成完整的病毒基因组。分析病毒重要位点特征,并参照已发表的病毒序列,对A/Fujian/1/2007(H5N1)株作系统进化分析。结果应用自行设计的引物,扩增并获得完整的A/Fujian/1/2007(H5N1)株基因组序列。病毒重要位点的分析表明,该株病毒为禽源高致病性禽流感病毒,病毒对达菲敏感而对金刚烷胺类药物则具有耐药性。病毒特征有待进一步的生物学验证。系统进化分析显示,在亚洲各国引起人类感染的高致病性禽流感病毒具有明显的地理分布特征,A/Fujian/1/2007(H5N1)病毒与国内以往毒株属同一进化分支。结论获得人感染高致病性禽流感病毒A/Fujian/1/2007株全基因组序列,了解病毒重要的氨基酸位点特征以及亚洲人感染病毒间的亲缘关系,为进一步探讨福建省禽流感病毒变异、传播机制等奠定基础。     

我国鸡源H9N2亚型禽流感病毒NS基因的分子进化分析

目的为了明确国内鸡群中H9N2亚型AIV中非结构蛋白(NS)基因系统进化情况,对1998-2008年间分离自发病鸡群中的14株H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)进行了非结构蛋白(NS)基因的克隆和序列测定,得到了NS1和NS2蛋白的完整编码序列。将NS核甘酸序列及推定的氨基酸序列与GenBank中已有的参考序列作比对,结果14株AIV的NS基因同源性在92.9%～99.9%,在系统进化上均属于NS基因A等位基因群中的A/Chicken/Beijing/1/1994分支。综合已有的研究结果,表明尽管A/Quail/Hongkong/G1/1997分支和A/Duck/Hongkong/Y439/1997分支的NS基因曾偶尔传入鸡群,但并未在我国鸡群中建立稳定的亚系。国内的H9亚型AIV的NS基因仅稳定存在着A/Chicken/Beijing/1/1994分支。     

Intensive care management of life-threatening avian influenza A (H5N1)

A large proportion of patients with avian influenza A (H5N1) develop life-threatening manifestations, often including ARDS, acute renal failure and multiple organ failure that requires aggressive intensive care management. The pace of development of respiratory failure is often rapid and can occur in previously healthy hosts, mandating close observation and timely intervention of infected individuals. Use of standard, contact, droplet and airborne isolation precautions is recommended to protect healthcare workers. Key components of ARDS management encompass appropriate mechanical ventilation including limiting tidal volume to ≤6 mL/kg of predicted body weight, maintaining transpulmonary pressures ≤30 cm H₂O, and utilizing positive end–expiratory pressure to limit alveolar deflation and to improve oxygenation. Additional strategies include conservative fluid management and using nutrition supplemented with antioxidants. Use of corticosteroids is controversial for both early and late ARDS and although often used for avian influenza, beneficial effects on outcomes have not been demonstrated for corticosteroids. Prone positioning can improve oxygenation temporarily and might be useful as rescue therapy for severe hypoxemia. Administration of inhaled nitric oxide and high frequency oscillatory ventilation can improve oxygenation but have not been demonstrated to improve survival in ARDS—their role in avian influenza is uncertain and availability limited. Management of multiple organ failure may include vasopressor support for septic shock and renal replacement therapy for acute renal failure.     

云南省首例人感染H5N6禽流感病例调查与分析

目的 分析省内首例既全球第3例人感染H5N6禽流感病例的流行病学调查结果,总结人感染H5N6禽流感病例的流行病学特征,为今后人感染H5N6禽流感病例的排查及流行病学调查提供参考。方法 回顾性描述、分析云南省首例人感染H5N6病例流行病学调查过程、疫点及密切接触人员采样检测结果,总结人感染H5N6禽流感病例的流行病学特征。结果 我省首例人感染 H5N6 禽流感确诊病例为单个病例,未出现人传人,发病前有野禽接触史及菜市场活动史,住地菜市场部分禽类摊档标本H5N6禽流感病毒核酸检测阳性。结论 我省首例人感染 H5N6 禽流感病例为本地感染非人传人病例,传播途径可能为禽-环境-人或禽-人。     

Characterization of high pathogenicity avian influenza H5Nx viruses from a wild harbor seal and red foxes in Denmark, 2021 and 2022

In 2021 and 2022, clade 2.3.4.4b H5Nx high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses were detected in one harbor seal and in one adult and three fox cubs in Denmark. The viruses were closely related to contemporary viruses found in Europe, and some had obtained amino acid substitutions related to mammalian adaptation. Notably, the virus distribution appeared to have been different in the infected fox cubs, as one exclusively tested positive for the presence of HPAIV in the brain and the other two only in the lung. Collectively, these findings stress the need for increased disease surveillance of wild and farmed mammals.     

Continued evolution of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1): updated nomenclature

Please cite this paper as: WHO/OIE/FAO. (2012) Continued evolution of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1): Updated nomenclature. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(1), 1–5. Background Continued evolution of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) throughout many regions of the eastern hemisphere has led to the emergence of new phylogenetic groups. A total of 1637 new H5N1 hemagglutinin (HA) sequences have become available since the previous nomenclature recommendations described in 2009 by the WHO/OIE/FAO H5N1 Evolution Working Group. A comprehensive analysis including all the new data is needed to update HA clade nomenclature. Methods Phylogenetic trees were constructed from data sets of all available H5N1 HA sequences. New clades were designated on the basis of phylogeny and p‐distance using the pre‐established nomenclature system (Emerg Infec Dis 2008; 14:e1). Each circulating H5N1 clade was subjected to further phylogenetic analysis and nucleotide sequence divergence calculations. Results All recently circulating clades (clade 1 in the Mekong River Delta, 2.1.3 in Indonesia, 2.2 in India/Bangladesh, 2.2.1 in Egypt, 2.3.2, 2.3.4 and 7 in Asia) required assignment of divergent HA genes to new second‐, third‐, and/or fourth‐order clades. At the same time, clades 0, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and several second‐ and third‐order groups from clade 2 have not been detected since 2008 or earlier. Conclusions New designations are recommended for 12 HA clades, named according to previously defined criteria. In addition, viruses from 13 clades have not been detected since 2008 or earlier. The periodic updating of this dynamic classification system allows continued use of a unified nomenclature in all H5N1 studies.     

从人源大容量天然抗体库中筛选到抗禽流感病毒H5N1单链抗体

目的从人源大容量天然抗体库中筛选到抗禽流感病毒H5N1单链抗体。方法运用噬菌体表面呈现技术,用纯化的H5N1禽流感血凝素蛋白HA（A/Anhui/1/2005）对人源大容量天然抗体库进行富集筛选,对获得的阳性克隆进行序列分析,并将其克隆入携带人源Fc段的表达载体,实现scFv-Fc融合抗体的分泌型表达。用ELISA、IFA对所获人源单抗的功能特性进行鉴定。结果经过3轮富集筛选,共获得了82株特异性结合H5N1禽流感病毒HA的人源scFv单链抗体,分别属于5个不同的抗体序列,ELISA、IFA表明从抗体库筛选获得的5株人源单抗与禽流感病毒H5N1及其HA具有较好的特异性,而与甲1型和甲3型人流感病毒无交叉反应。结论从人源大容量天然抗体库中利用高通量的筛选策略在短时间内获得抗禽流感病毒H5N1人源单抗,对于禽流感的紧急预防和治疗具有重要意义。     

H5N1禽流感病毒感染孕鼠的研究

目的用H5N1禽流感病毒感染昆明孕鼠,检测病毒在感染孕鼠各组织脏器中的复制及分布情况,并证明病毒能否通过孕鼠的胎盘垂直传染给胎鼠。方法用虎源H5N1亚型禽流感病毒滴鼻感染妊娠10-12 d的昆明孕鼠,观察孕鼠感染后的临床症状。接种病毒后第3、4、5、6和7 d分别处死3只孕鼠,取孕鼠的肺、脑、脾、肾、子宫、胎盘及胎鼠,利用RT-PCR、Real-time PCR和病毒分离方法检测各组织中的病毒核酸和病毒滴度,并进行病理组织学与免疫组织化学检测。结果昆明孕鼠接种病毒后第3 d,即可在肺、脑、脾、肾、子宫及胎盘组织中检测出H5N1禽流感病毒核酸,并从子宫、胎盘分离出H5N1禽流感病毒;感染后第6 d,从胎鼠体内检测到病毒核酸并分离出H5N1禽流感病毒。结论H5N1亚型禽流感病毒可以感染孕鼠,在孕鼠子宫和胎盘复制,感染后期可通过胎盘屏障传给胎鼠。     

Variation in protection of four divergent avian influenza virus vaccine seed strains against eight clade 2.2.1 and 2.2.1.1. Egyptian H5N1 high pathogenicity variants in poultry

Background

Highly pathogenic (HP) H5N1 avian influenza virus (AIV) was introduced to Egyptian poultry in 2006 and has since become enzootic. Vaccination has been utilized as a control tool combined with other control methods, but for a variety of reasons, the disease has not been eradicated. In 2007, an antigenically divergent hemagglutinin subclade, 2.2.1.1, emerged from the original clade 2.2.1 viruses.

Objectives

The objective was to evaluate four diverse AIV isolates for use as vaccines in chickens, including two commercial vaccines and two additional contemporary isolates, against challenge with numerous clade 2.2.1 and clade 2.2.1.1 H5N1 HPAIV Egyptian isolates to assess the variation in protection among different vaccine and challenge virus combinations.

Methods

Vaccination-challenge studies with four vaccines and up to eight challenge strains with each vaccine for a total of 25 vaccination-challenge groups were conducted with chickens. An additional eight groups served as sham-vaccinated controls. Mortality, mean death time, morbidity, virus, and pre-challenge antibodies were evaluated as metrics of protection. Hemagglutination inhibition data were used to visualize the antigenic relatedness of the isolates.

Results and conclusions

Although all but one vaccine-challenge virus combination significantly reduced shed and mortality as compared to sham vaccinates, there were differences in protection among the vaccines relative to one another based on challenge virus. This emphasizes the difficulty in vaccinating against diverse, evolving virus populations, and the importance of selecting optimal vaccine seed strains for successful HPAIV control.     

Temporal Dynamics of Influenza A(H5N1) Subtype before and after the Emergence of H5N8

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses continue to circulate worldwide, causing numerous outbreaks among bird species and severe public health concerns. H5N1 and H5N8 are the two most fundamental HPAI subtypes detected in birds in the last two decades. The two viruses may compete with each other while sharing the same host population and, thus, suppress the spread of one of the viruses. In this study, we performed a statistical analysis to investigate the temporal correlation of the HPAI H5N1 and HPAI H5N8 subtypes using globally reported data in 2015–2020. This was joined with an in-depth analysis using data generated via our national surveillance program in Egypt. A total of 6412 outbreaks were reported worldwide during this period, with 39% (2529) as H5N1 and 61% (3883) as H5N8. In Egypt, 65% of positive cases were found in backyards, while only 12% were found in farms and 23% in live bird markets. Overall, our findings depict a trade-off between the number of positive H5N1 and H5N8 samples around early 2017, which is suggestive of the potential replacement between the two subtypes. Further research is still required to elucidate the underpinning mechanisms of this competitive dynamic. This, in turn, will implicate the design of effective strategies for disease control.