Serological investigation of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N2 in ostriches (Struthio camelus)

An ostrich farm of 929 birds that tested polymerase chain reaction-positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N2 in a single sample was designated for culling, despite no evidence of sero-conversion as assessed by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. A month later and immediately prior to culling, all birds were bled and tested with an IDEXX avian influenza virus (AIV) nucleoprotein (NP)-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a high sero-prevalence was detected. To address the question of whether the NP-specific antibodies detected indicated exposure to H5 or non-H5 subtypes (H6N2 and H1N2 strains were also circulating regionally at the time), we developed two H5-specific ELISAs, both based on a recombinant H5 HA1 antigen. The H5 indirect ELISA used a horseradish peroxidase ostrich IgY conjugate that we produced in chicken eggs. The single-chain variable fragment (scFv) competitive ELISA (H5 scFv cELISA) used a scFv derived from an H5-immune chicken scFv library. By comparing IDEXX AIV ELISA results with those of the two H5-specific ELISAs and HI tests, we determined that up to 89% of the flock had been exposed to H5N2 AIV. We also detected evidence of suspected vaccination, since 17% of sera contained antibodies against the H5 glycoprotein but not the NP protein. Comparative analytical sensitivity indicated that HI tests are likely to miss up to 35% of H5-positive samples, and thus we consider that H5/H7-specific ELISAs should replace HI tests for ostrich testing in future.     

Detection by microneutralization of antibodies against avian influenza virus in an endemic avian influenza region

Detection by microneutralization of low-titre antibodies (anti-H5 micro-NT titre ≤1 : 80) against avian influenza virus (H5N1) is usually taken to be a false-positive result. In this prospective study of 242 intensive-care unit patients admitted for severe community-acquired pneumonia, the prevalence of low-titre anti-H5 micro-NT was 2.4%. Prior exposure to poultry was the sole independent risk factor for these low-titre antibodies (adjusted OR 42.41; 95% CI 22.45–64.51; p <0.001). We suggest that low anti-H5 micro-NT titres be interpreted in conjunction with plausible poultry, environmental and human exposure to H5N1.     

Sensitivity and specificity of serologic assays for detection of human infection with 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus in U.S. populations

Swine origin 2009 H1N1 influenza virus has spread globally to cause the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century. Serological studies can improve our understanding of the extent of human infection and risk factors associated with the transmission of this pandemic virus. The "gold standard" for serodiagnosis of human influenza virus infection is the detection of seroconversion between acute- and convalescent-stage samples. However, the timing of seroepidemiological investigations often precludes the collection of truly acute-phase sera, requiring development of serological criteria for evaluating convalescent-phase sera that optimize detection of true positives and true negatives. To guide seroepidemiological investigations into the spread of the novel 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus, we characterized serum antibody responses to 2009 H1N1 virus in 87 individuals with confirmed viral infection and 227 nonexposed U.S. individuals using microneutralization (MN) and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays. Sensitivity and specificity were determined for each assay alone and in combination for detection of 2009 H1N1 virus-specific antibodies in convalescent-phase sera. Although the HI assay was more specific for detecting antibody to 2009 H1N1, the MN assay was more sensitive, particularly for detecting low-titer seroconversions. A combination of titers (MN ≥ 40 and HI ≥ 20) provided the highest sensitivity (90%) and specificity (96%) for individuals aged <60 years and 92% specificity for adults aged ≥ 60 years for detection of serologically confirmed 2009 H1N1 infections in U.S. populations during the first pandemic waves. These studies provide an approach to optimize timely serological investigations for future pandemics or outbreaks of novel influenza viruses among humans.     

Seroprevalence of avian influenza H9N2 among poultry workers in Shandong Province, China

H9N2 avian influenza virus has been circulating widely in birds, with occasional infection among humans. Poultry workers are considered to be at high risk of infection with avian influenza due to their frequent exposure to chickens, but the frequency of H9N2 avian influenza virus infections among them is still indistinct. This study was carried out in order to identify the seroprevalence of H9N2 avian influenza virus among poultry workers in Shandong, China. During the period from December 2011 to February 2012, a total of 482 subjects took part in this study, including 382 poultry workers and 100 healthy residents without occupational poultry exposure. Serum samples were collected and tested for the presence of antibodies against H9N2 avian influenza virus by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and microneutralization (MN) assays. Nine subjects (9/382?=?2.3 %) were positive for antibodies against H9N2 avian influenza virus among poultry workers by either HI or MN assays using ≥40 cut-off, while none of the 100 healthy residents were seropositive. In conclusion, our study identified H9N2 avian influenza infections among poultry workers in Shandong, China, and continuous surveillance of H9N2 avian influenza virus infection in humans should be carried out to evaluate the threat to public health.     

Evaluation of a conserved HA274–288 epitope to detect antibodies to highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 in Indonesian commercial poultry

A peptide enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on an epitope in the haemagglutinin (HA) of avian influenza virus H5N1, amino acid positions 274–288 (HA_274–288) was evaluated for detection of H5N1-specific antibodies. An optimized ELISA based on the tetrameric form of the HA_274–288 epitope designated MP15 gave low background with non-immune chicken sera and detected vaccinated and infected birds. The HA_274–288 epitope was highly conserved in Indonesian H5N1 strains and antibody responses were detected in the majority of the vaccinated chickens regardless of the H5N1 strain used for vaccination. The HA_274–288 epitope was also conserved in the majority of H5N1 strains from the neighbouring Asian region, and other H5 subtypes potentially allowing for a wider use of the MP15 ELISA in H5N1 vaccinated and infected flocks. The MP15 ELISA results correlated significantly with haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test results and test sensitivity and specificity were 87% and 92%, respectively. The MP15 ELISA titres were significantly higher than the HI titres in all immune sera allowing for sera to be tested at a single dilution of 1:400 which is of advantage in routine surveillance. The study indicated that the MP15 ELISA is potentially useful for serological detection of H5N1 vaccinated or infected poultry and to have some advantages over the standard HI test for routine monitoring of flocks’ immunity after vaccination.     

Extent of antigenic cross-reactivity among highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses

Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses emerged in 1996 and have since evolved so extensively that a single strain can no longer be used as a prepandemic vaccine or diagnostic reagent. We therefore sought to identify the H5N1 strains that may best serve as cross-reactive diagnostic reagents. We compared the cross-reactivity of 27 viruses of clades 0, 1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 4 and of four computationally designed ancestral H5N1 strains by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and microneutralization (MN) assays. Antigenic cartography was used to analyze the large quantity of resulting data. Cartographs of HI titers with chicken red blood cells were similar to those of MN titers, but HI with horse red blood cells decreased antigenic distances among the H5N1 strains studied. Thus, HI with horse red blood cells seems to be the assay of choice for H5N1 diagnostics. Whereas clade 2.2 antigens were able to detect antibodies raised to most of the tested H5N1 viruses (and clade 2.2-specific antisera detected most of the H5N1 antigens), ancestral strain A exhibited the widest reactivity pattern and hence was the best candidate diagnostic reagent for broad detection of H5N1 strains.     

H1亚型流感病毒HA蛋白单克隆抗体的制备及部分特性鉴定

目的:制备针对H1亚型流感病毒HA蛋白的单克隆抗体(mAb),并分析其反应特性。方法:分别以2009年甲型H1N1、季节性A1流感病毒裂解疫苗为免疫原,常规法免疫、融合、克隆化,获得各抗原特异性mAb。应用ELISA、HI试验和Western blot等技术研究mAb的反应性和特异性。结果:获得稳定分泌抗H1亚型流感病毒HA蛋白的杂交瘤细胞97株。其中株特异性mAb39株,29株具有HI活性;亚型特异性mAb7株,5株具有HI活性;2009年流行株与季节性A1、A3流行株共同抗原的mAb16株,9株具有HI活性;针对流感病毒共同抗原mAb35株,22株具有HI活性。结论:两种疫苗均具有较好的免疫原性和免疫保护活性,这些mAb的获得为流感病毒株特异、亚型特异性诊断试剂盒及流感病毒通用诊断试剂盒的制备提供了实验资料,为进一步研究H1N1流感病毒HA的抗原表位奠定了基础。     

禽流感病毒非结构蛋白1单克隆抗体的制备及其特异性分析

为研制禽流感病毒(H5N1)非结构蛋白1(NS1)的特异性单克隆抗体(mAb),并鉴定其特异性,本研究在分别表达了具有良好抗原性的A/Vietnam/1194/04(H5N1)-NS1和A/HongKong/486/97(H5N1)-NS1重组蛋白基础上,用A/Viet-nam/1194/04(H5N1)-NS1蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠,取其脾细胞与小鼠骨髓瘤细胞进行融合,间接ELISA筛选阳性的杂交瘤细胞,并结合免疫荧光和免疫印迹对抗体的特异性进行鉴定,通过竞争抑制实验对单抗识别的抗原位点进行分析。结果共获得19株能识别4个H5N1-NS1蛋白不同抗原位点的mAb,亚类测定显示,5株为IgG2a、1株为IgG2b,另外13株为IgG1。这些mAb均与A/Vietnam/1194/04(H5N1)-NS1和A/HongKong/486/97(H5N1)-NS1重组蛋白特异性结合,免疫荧光检测均与A型流感病毒(H1N1和H3N2)有交叉反应,而与B型流感病毒无交叉现象。表明成功获得特异性针对H5N1-NS1蛋白的mAb,为进一步研究禽流感病毒NS1蛋白的结构与功能奠定基础。     

Increased sensitivity for detecting avian influenza-specific antibodies by a modified hemagglutination inhibition assay using horse erythrocytes

The hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay is a widely used serological method to measure the levels of protective antibody responses against influenza viruses. However, the traditional HI assay which uses chicken erythrocytes is not sufficiently sensitive for detecting HI antibodies specific to avian influenza viruses. Previously, it was demonstrated that employing an assay using horse erythrocytes was able to increase the sensitivity of HI assay. The current report describes further optimization of this modified HI assay. It was shown that this method was able to increase detection of HI activities in rabbit sera immunized with H5 HA antigens, and proved that this increased sensitivity is useful in dissecting the strain specificity of HI antibody responses. In addition, the modified HI assay using horse erythrocytes increased the sensitivity of detecting HI antibodies specific for three major serotypes of avian influenza viruses, H5, H7 and H9, in people who may have asymptomatic infection with avian influenza viruses. Based on these results, the optimized use of horse erythrocytes should be standard practice for detecting HI activities against avian influenza viruses.     

Testing human sera for antibodies against avian influenza viruses: Horse RBC hemagglutination inhibition vs. microneutralization assays

BACKGROUND: The hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay is a frequently used method to screen human sera for antibodies against influenza A viruses. Because HI has relatively poor sensitivity in detecting antibodies against avian influenza A strains, a more complicated microneutralization (MN) assay is often preferred. Recent research suggests that the sensitivity of the HI assay can be improved by switching from the traditionally used turkey, guinea pig, human, or chicken RBCs to horse RBCs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of the horse RBC HI when screening for human antibodies against avian influenza types H3, H4, H5, H6, H7, H9, H11, and H12. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated the reproducibility of horse RBC HI and its agreement with MN results using sera from people exposed or not exposed to wild and domestic birds. RESULTS: The horse RBC HI assay had high reliability (90%-100%) and good agreement with MN assay results (52%-100%). CONCLUSION: The horse RBC HI assay is reliable, less expensive, less complex, and faster than the MN assay. While MN will likely remain the gold standard serologic assay for avian viruses, the horse RBC HI assay may be very useful as a screening assay in large-scale epidemiologic studies.     

Development of a recombinant ELISA using yeast (Pichia pastoris)-expressed polypeptides for detection of antibodies against avian influenza A subtype H5

Two truncated sequences (designated P1 and rHA1) of influenza A virus subtype H5 haemagglutinin (HA) were cloned and expressed in yeast Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris). These polypeptides were used in an indirect recombinant ELISA (rELISA) for detection of H5 antibodies in poultry. Serum samples obtained from broiler chickens vaccinated with commercial inactivated vaccine (H5N2) and control negative sera from non-vaccinated chickens against influenza were tested using rP1-ELISA, rHA1-ELISA, whole H5N1-ELISA, Western blot, agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. The rHA1-ELISA proved to be highly sensitive and specific. To study the validity of rHA1-ELISA, a total of 179 serum samples obtained from commercial broiler chickens vaccinated previously with commercial H5N2 inactivated vaccines, were tested by rHA1-ELISA, commercial ELISA (cELISA) and HI. The relative sensitivity and specificity between rHA1-ELISA, and HI tests were 100% and 70%, respectively, and between cELISA and HI were 100% and 57%, respectively. The agreement ratio between rHA1-ELISA and HI was 84.9% and between cELISA and HI tests was 76.5%. Serum samples obtained from ducks vaccinated with commercial inactivated H5N2 were tested by rHA1-ELISA and the results showed significant reactivity with duck sera. In conclusion, the results demonstrate the potential applicability of the rELISA for the determination of antibodies to H5 influenza virus in chickens and ducks.     

抗H5N1禽流感病毒VHH抗体库的构建

目的:构建抗H5N1禽流感病毒的小羊驼免疫噬菌体重链可变区抗体库(VHH型抗体库),为抗H5N1的VHH抗体筛选奠定基础。方法:利用H5N1灭活疫苗免疫小羊驼,一定免疫时间后测定小羊驼外周血清中抗体中和活性,分离其外周淋巴细胞,利用RT-PCR方法得到VHH抗体片段。通过优化连接和电转化方法,将足量VHH片段与pCANTAB5E连接后电转入大肠杆菌TG1,获得VHH抗体基因库;检测基因库库容以及多样性,并采用血凝抑制试验对噬菌体抗体库进行初步功能性鉴定。结果:利用H5N1灭活疫苗免疫小羊驼四次后,其外周血清中抗体血清抑制效价可达1∶2 560,构建的VHH抗体基因库库容可达3×108,随机挑选14个抗体基因克隆进行测序鉴定,结果显示均为独立克隆,表明所建抗体库多样性好。上述基因库经辅助噬菌体拯救后,得到抗H5N1的噬菌体VHH型抗体初级库,对初级库进行血凝抑制试验,结果呈阳性,表明初级库中存在具有潜在中和活性的抗H5N1抗体。结论:结果表明,已成功构建抗H5N1禽流感病毒的小羊驼免疫噬菌体重链抗体库,为进一步筛选抗H5N1禽流感的重链抗体打下良好基础,并为H5N1的早期临床诊断和治疗提供新的手段。     

Simultaneous determination of the level of antibodies to influenza virus surface and internal proteins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been adopted for simultaneous determination of the levels of antibodies to different influenza virus proteins in human sera with known haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) titre. Whole virus of serotypes H1N1 and H3N2, haemagglutinin (HA), matrix (M) and nucleoprotein (NP) proteins have been used as antigens. For detection of antibodies bound to the antigen, peroxidase labelled Staphylococcus protein A conjugate has been used. Correlation of the ELISA and HI titres of anti-HA antibody has been demonstrated. The use of isolated HA as antigen increased the specificity of ELISA. The analysis of human reconvalescent sera has shown that increase in the titre of antibodies to internal proteins does not always coincide with the increase of antibody level to HA. Out of 8 sera with significant increase of the HI titre to the H3 subtype 5 specimens showed 4-fold increase of antibody titre to NP protein. The antibody titre to M protein was elevated in 2 sera only, while 1 serum showed no rise of antibody response to the tested viral proteins.     

Comprehensive serological analysis of two successive heterologous vaccines against H5N1 avian influenza virus in exotic birds in zoos

In 2005, European Commission directive 2005/744/EC allowed controlled vaccination against avian influenza (AI) virus of valuable avian species housed in zoos. In 2006, 15 Spanish zoos and wildlife centers began a vaccination program with a commercial inactivated H5N9 vaccine. Between November 2007 and May 2008, birds from 10 of these centers were vaccinated again with a commercial inactivated H5N3 vaccine. During these campaigns, pre- and postvaccination samples from different bird orders were taken to study the response against AI virus H5 vaccines. Sera prior to vaccinations with both vaccines were examined for the presence of total antibodies against influenza A nucleoprotein (NP) by a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Humoral responses to vaccination were evaluated using a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. In some taxonomic orders, both vaccines elicited comparatively high titers of HI antibodies against H5. Interestingly, some orders, such as Psittaciformes, which did not develop HI antibodies to either vaccine formulation when used alone, triggered notable HI antibody production, albeit in low HI titers, when primed with H5N9 and during subsequent boosting with the H5N3 vaccine. Vaccination with successive heterologous vaccines may represent the best alternative to widely protect valuable and/or endangered bird species against highly pathogenic AI virus infection.     

中国大陆首例人感染高致病性禽流感病毒(H5N1)病例的实验室诊断

目的 对2005年10月湖南省湘潭市湘潭县发生的一名不明原因肺炎病例进行实验室检测,以确定导致该病例的主要病因.方法 采集病例呼吸道标本以及血清标本,对呼吸道标本利用分子鉴别诊断技术以及RT-PCR和实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测病毒核酸;通过血凝抑制试验以及微量中和试验检测血清中的特异性抗体.结果 该病例所有的呼吸道标本H5N1病毒特异性核酸及病毒分离均为阴性.红细胞凝集抑制及微量中和实验显示,恢复期血清较急性期血清H5N1特异性抗体阳转并且有4倍以上增高.结论 通过实验室检测结果分析,该病例为中国大陆第一例人感染高致病性禽流感病毒（H5N1）实验室确诊病例.     

抗H5N1禽流感病毒羊驼重链单域抗体的制备和功能鉴定

目的:获得具有中和活性、高特异性和稳定性的抗H5N1禽流感病毒血凝素蛋白(HA)的羊驼重链单域(VHH)抗体。方法:利用pET-22b表达载体诱导表达抗H5N1禽流感病毒HA VHH抗体蛋白,以包涵体形式表达的VHH抗体蛋白采用最优复性方法进行复性后,获得高纯度的VHH抗体,分别采用ELISA法鉴定VHH抗体的亲和力和热稳定性,采用血凝抑制实验鉴定抗体的特异性和体外中和活性。结果:经复性的抗H5N1禽流感HA VHH抗体对H5N1禽流感病毒HA具有良好的特异性。通过对三种不同复性方法比较,利用柱上复性的VHH23抗体具有较好的热稳定性,亲和力为9.1×10-7mol/L,同时对H5N1禽流感病毒HA具有良好的体外中和活性。结论:实验结果表明通过原核表达获得具有较好中和活性、特异性及稳定性的抗H5N1禽流感病毒VHH抗体,为进一步开展抗体的体内病毒中和试验奠定良好基础。     

抗禽流感病毒H7亚型血凝素特异性单克隆抗体的研制

目的:研制禽流感病毒H7亚型血凝素特异性单克隆抗体(mAb)。方法:以H7亚型禽流感诊断抗原为免疫原免疫6～8周雌性BALB/c小鼠,末次加强免疫后取其脾细胞与骨髓瘤细胞Sp2/0-Ag-14进行融合。通过HA和HI试验筛选阳性克隆。应用HI试验和Western blot试验测定mAb的反应性和特异性。结果:共获得4株分泌抗AIVH7亚型HAmAbs的杂交瘤细胞株,分别命名为2E2、2A4、5F5、7G5。这些mAb的腹水HI效价在5×27～5×211之间,其中2E2属于IgM亚类,2A4属于IgG1亚类,5F5、7G5属于IgG2a亚类。Western blot分析结果显示,4株AIVH7亚型HAmAb能与AIVH7蛋白在Mr75000处反应,但不与新城疫病毒(NDV)蛋白发生反应,表明这些mAb能特异性识别AIVH7亚型HA。mAbHI反应性测定结果表明:4株mAb中,2E2、5F5、7G5只与H7亚型AIV发生特异性HI反应,而不与其他亚型AIV以及NDV、传染性支气管炎病毒(IBV)反应,显示出良好的特异性;而2A4除了与H7亚型AIV反应外,还与H15N8标准株发生低水平交叉反应。结论:这些mAb不仅为H7亚型AIV的HA结构分析提供了工具,而且为建立快速廉价的H7亚型禽流感诊断方法提供了核心试剂。     

Evidence for Subclinical Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Virus Infection among Dogs in Guangdong Province,China

During 2012, we identified sampled dogs with elevated levels of antibodies (≥1:40) against A(H1N1)pdm09 virus by using a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay (seroprevalence, 24.7%) and a microneutralization (MN) assay (seroprevalence, 10.8%). These high seroprevalences of A(H1N1)pdm09 among dogs without clinical signs of influenza support the premise that dogs may play a role in the human influenza ecology in China.