Efficacy of a heterologous vaccine and adjuvant in ferrets challenged with influenza virus H5N1

Please cite this paper as: Vela et al. (2012) Efficacy of a heterologous vaccine and adjuvant in ferrets challenged with influenza virus H5N1. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(5), 328–340. Background In 1997, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses caused outbreaks of disease in domestic poultry markets in Hong Kong. The virus has also been detected in infected poultry in Europe and Africa. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a heterologous vaccine administered with and without the aluminum hydroxide adjuvant in ferrets challenged with HPAI (A/Vietnam/1203/04). Methods Animals in four of the five groups were vaccinated twice 21 days apart, with two doses of a heterologous monovalent subvirion vaccine with or without an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant and challenged with a lethal target dose of A/Vietnam/1203/04. Results All animals vaccinated with the heterologous vaccine in combination with the aluminum hydroxide adjuvant survived a lethal challenge of A/Vietnam/1203/04. Four of the eight animals vaccinated with 30 μg of the vaccine without the adjuvant survived, while two of the eight animals vaccinated with 15 μg of the vaccine without the adjuvant survived. None of the unvaccinated control animals survived challenge. Additionally, changes in virus recovered from nasal washes and post‐mortem tissues and serology suggest vaccine efficacy. Conclusions Altogether, the data suggest that the heterologous vaccine in combination with the aluminum hydroxide adjuvant offers maximum protection against challenge with A/Vietnam/1203/04 when compared to the unvaccinated control animals or animals vaccinated without any adjuvant.     

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.     

Molecular Analysis of the Avian H7 Influenza Viruses Circulating in South Korea during 2018–2019: Evolutionary Significance and Associated Zoonotic Threats

Avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes H5 and H7, possessing the ability to mutate spontaneously from low pathogenic (LP) to highly pathogenic (HP) variants, are major concerns for enormous socio-economic losses in the poultry industry, as well as for fatal human infections. Through antigenic drift and shift, genetic reassortments of the genotypes pose serious threats of increased virulence and pathogenicity leading to potential pandemics. In this study, we isolated the H7-subtype AIVs circulating in the Republic of Korea during 2018–2019, and perform detailed molecular analysis to study their circulation, evolution, and possible emergence as a zoonotic threat. Phylogenetic and nucleotide sequence analyses of these isolates revealed their distribution into two distinct clusters, with the HA gene sharing the highest nucleotide identity with either the A/common teal/Shanghai/CM1216/2017, isolated from wild birds in Shanghai, China, or the A/duck/Shimane/2014, isolated from Japan. Mutations were found in HA (S138A (H3 numbering)), M1 (N30D and T215A), NS1 (P42S), PB2 (L89V), and PA (H266R and F277S) proteins—the mutations had previously been reported to be related to mammalian adaptation and changes in the virulence of AIVs. Taken together, the results firmly put forth the demand for routine surveillance of AIVs in wild birds to prevent possible pandemics arising from reassortant AIVs.     

Long‐term vaccine‐induced heterologous protection against H5N1 influenza viruses in the ferret model

Please cite this paper as: Ducatez et al. (2012) Long‐term vaccine‐induced heterologous protection against H5N1 influenza viruses in the ferret model. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(4), 506–512. Background Highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses reemerged in humans in 2003 and have caused fatal human infections in Asia and Africa as well as ongoing outbreaks in poultry. These viruses have evolved substantially and are now so antigenically varied that a single vaccine antigen may not protect against all circulating strains. Nevertheless, studies have shown that substantial cross‐reactivity can be achieved with H5N1 vaccines. These studies have not, however, addressed the issue of duration of such cross‐reactive protection. Objectives To directly address this using the ferret model, we used two recommended World Health Organization H5N1 vaccine seed strains – A/Vietnam/1203/04 (clade 1) and A/duck/Hunan/795/02 (clade 2.1) – seven single, double, or triple mutant viruses based on A/Vietnam/1203/04, and the ancestral viruses A and D, selected from sequences at nodes of the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase gene phylogenies to represent antigenically diverse progeny H5N1 subclades as vaccine antigens. Results All inactivated whole‐virus vaccines provided full protection against morbidity and mortality in ferrets challenged with the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain A/Vietnam/1203/04 5 months and 1 year after immunization. Conclusion If an H5N1 pandemic was to arise, and with the hypothesis that one can extrapolate the results from three doses of a whole‐virion vaccine in ferrets to the available split vaccines for use in humans, the population could be efficiently immunized with currently available H5N1 vaccines, while the homologous vaccine is under production.     

2017-2018年陕西省H7N9禽流感病毒流行特征及基因进化分析

目的 整理和分析2017-2018年陕西省H7N9禽流感病毒流行分布和基因特性,为防控决策提供实证依据。方法 采集陕西省外环境样本、H7N9病例及关联样本,用荧光定量PCR检测H7N9亚型流感病毒,H7N9 阳性标本的病毒分离和基因测序分析由国家流感中心完成。结果 2017年5月至2018年3月,陕西省142个监测点外环境外环境H7N9核酸阳性率仅4.91‰。同时,本省共报告7例H7N9病例和2起禽间疫情。病毒序列分析发现:部分H7N9病毒中HA蛋白裂解位点插入“KRTA”氨基酸基序,具有对禽类高致病性的分子特征。血凝素(HA)和神经氨酸酶(NA)基因进化树分析结果显示陕西省H7N9禽流感病毒与长三角来源的H7N9序列高度同源。结论 陕西H7N9病毒流行株具有遗传多样性,同时存在低致病性和高致病性两个变种。今后应继续做好禽流感病原学监测和遗传变异分析,为防控工作提供依据。     

Human infection with avian influenza A(H7N2) virus—Virginia, 2002

Background

In March 2002, an outbreak of low‐pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) A(H7N2) was detected among commercial poultry operations in Virginia.

Methods

We performed a serosurvey of 80 government workers involved in efforts to control the outbreak.

Results

One study participant who assisted with disposal of infected birds tested positive for neutralizing antibodies to influenza A(H7N2) by microneutralization assay and H7‐specific IgM antibodies by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The acute infection was temporally associated with an influenza‐like illness that resolved without hospitalization.

Conclusion

This study documents the earliest evidence of human infection with an H7 influenza virus of the North American lineage.     

Genome-Wide Reassortment Analysis of Influenza A H7N9 Viruses Circulating in China during 2013–2019

Reassortment with the H9N2 virus gave rise to the zoonotic H7N9 avian influenza virus (AIV), which caused more than five outbreak waves in humans, with high mortality. The frequent exchange of genomic segments between H7N9 and H9N2 has been well-documented. However, the reassortment patterns have not been described and are not yet fully understood. Here, we used phylogenetic analyses to investigate the patterns of intersubtype and intrasubtype/intralineage reassortment across the eight viral segments. The H7N9 virus and its progeny frequently exchanged internal genes with the H9N2 virus but rarely with the other AIV subtypes. Before beginning the intrasubtype/intralineage reassortment analyses, five Yangtze River Delta (YRD A-E) and two Pearl River Delta (PRD A-B) clusters were divided according to the HA gene phylogeny. The seven reset segment genes were also nomenclatured consistently. As revealed by the tanglegram results, high intralineage reassortment rates were determined in waves 2–3 and 5. Additionally, the clusters of PB2 c05 and M c02 were the most dominant in wave 5, which could have contributed to the onset of the largest H7N9 outbreak in 2016–2017. Meanwhile, a portion of the YRD-C cluster (HP H7N9) inherited their PB2, PA, and M segments from the co-circulating YRD-E (LP H7N9) cluster during wave 5. Untanglegram results revealed that the reassortment rate between HA and NA was lower than HA with any of the other six segments. A multidimensional scaling plot revealed a robust genetic linkage between the PB2 and PA genes, indicating that they may share a co-evolutionary history. Furthermore, we observed relatively more robust positive selection pressure on HA, NA, M2, and NS1 proteins. Our findings demonstrate that frequent reassortment, particular reassorted patterns, and adaptive mutations shaped the H7N9 viral genetic diversity and evolution. Increased surveillance is required immediately to better understand the current state of the HP H7N9 AIV.     

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.     

人感染H7N9禽流感1例

目的 分析1例确诊人感染H7N9禽流感重症患者临床和流行病学特点,并对治疗方法进行探讨.方法 对该患者的临床、流行病学资料、实验室检查、影像学资料进行回顾性分析.结果 该患者为55岁男性,从事活禽贩卖及宰杀职业,以咳嗽、咳黄脓痰、发热为首发症状,病程早期出现胸闷、呼吸困难及痰中带血,无明显上呼吸道症状;实验室检查:血白细胞、淋巴细胞及中性粒细胞计数降低,血乳酸脱氢酶及超敏C反应蛋白增高.胸部CT显示双肺炎,右肺为主;短期内病灶进展快,出现急性肺损伤.给予氧疗、奥司他韦、抗感染药物、激素、免疫球蛋白等治疗.结论 人感染H7N9禽流感临床进展快,以肺部损伤为主,与接触活禽有关.     

广州市人感染H7N9禽流感病毒高致病性变异株监测与基因进化分析

目的 通过对广州市人感染H7N9禽流感病毒高致病性变异株基因变异和进化特点进行分析,掌握本地区H7N9病毒病原学特点,为疾病防控提供参考。方法 选取2017年广州市人感染H7N9禽流感病毒阳性标本10份,提取核酸扩增HA、NA、M基因进行测序,通过生物信息学软件分析病毒重要蛋白突变情况和遗传进化特点。结果 广州地区H7N9禽流感病毒基因同源性差异较大,大部分毒株基因与广东毒株同源性最高,部分毒株基因与河南、内蒙古等地毒株同源性最高。监测到5株病毒为H7N9禽流感病毒高致病性变异株,部分病毒出现了HA蛋白Q226L的突变,提示对人呼吸道上皮细胞SAα-2, 6Gal受体结合能力增加。HA蛋白和NA蛋白上糖基化位点均有一定的增加和缺失突变。HA、NA和M1蛋白上毒力相关位点均突变增强。M2蛋白均呈现耐药突变,同时监测到2株高致病性突变株出现对神经氨酸酶抑制剂的耐药突变。遗传进化结果显示,HA基因和NA基因在华南和华东分支均有分布,M1基因进化特点相对复杂,分别与华南地区H9N2、H7N9病毒,及北方地区的H7N9病毒重组。结论 2017年广州地区发现2株对达菲耐药的人感染H7N9禽流感病毒高致病性变异株。H7N9禽流感病毒在广州地区不断发生进化重组,具有遗传多样性和复杂性,提示高致病性耐药株有向华南以外地区传播的风险。     

Spatiotemporal Associations and Molecular Evolution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A H7N9 Virus in China from 2017 to 2021

Highly pathogenic (HP) H7N9 avian influenza virus (AIV) emerged in China in 2016. HP H7N9 AIV caused at least 33 human infections and has been circulating in poultry farms continuously since wave 5. The genetic divergence, geographic patterns, and hemagglutinin adaptive and parallel molecular evolution of HP H7N9 AIV in China since 2017 are still unclear. Here, 10 new strains of HP H7N9 AIVs from October 2019 to April 2021 were sequenced. We found that HP H7N9 was primarily circulating in Northern China, particularly in the provinces surrounding the Bohai Sea (Liaoning, Hebei, and Shandong) since wave 6. Of note, HP H7N9 AIV phylogenies exhibit a geographical structure compatible with high levels of local transmission after unidirectional rapid geographical expansion towards the north of China in 2017. In addition, we showed that two major subclades were continually expanding with the viral population size undergoing a sharp increase after 2018 with an obvious seasonal tendency. Notably, the hemagglutinin gene showed signs of parallel evolution and positive selection. Our research sheds light on the current epidemiology, evolution, and diversity of HP H7N9 AIV that can help prevent and control the spreading of HP H7N9 AIV.     

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.     

Substitution Arg140Gly in Hemagglutinin Reduced the Virulence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus H7N1

The H7 subtype of avian influenza viruses (AIV) stands out among other AIV. The H7 viruses circulate in ducks, poultry and equines and have repeatedly caused outbreaks of disease in humans. The laboratory strain A/chicken/Rostock/R0p/1934 (H7N1) (R0p), which was previously derived from the highly pathogenic strain A/FPV/Rostock/1934 (H7N1), was studied in this work to ascertain its biological property, genome stability and virulent changing mechanism. Several virus variants were obtained by serial passages in the chicken lungs. After 10 passages of this virus through the chicken lungs we obtained a much more pathogenic variant than the starting R0p. The study of intermediate passages showed a sharp increase in pathogenicity between the fifth and sixth passage. By cloning these variants, a pair of strains (R5p and R6p) was obtained, and the complete genomes of these strains were sequenced. Single amino acid substitution was revealed, namely reversion Gly140Arg in HA1. This amino acid is located at the head part of the hemagglutinin, adjacent to the receptor-binding site. In addition to the increased pathogenicity in chicken and mice, R6p differs from R5p in the shape of foci in cell culture and an increased affinity for a negatively charged receptor analogue, while maintaining a pattern of receptor-binding specificity and the pH of conformational change of HA.     

Potency determination of inactivated H7 influenza vaccines using monoclonal antibody‐based ELISA and biolayer interferometry assays

Background

The single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) assay, the accepted method for determining potency of inactivated influenza vaccines, measures an immunogenic form of the influenza hemagglutinin. Nevertheless, alternative methods for measuring vaccine potency have been explored to address some of the weaknesses of the SRID assay, including limited sensitivity and the requirement for large amounts of standardized reagents. Monoclonal antibody (mAb)‐based potency assays also have the ability to detect and measure relevant immunogenic forms of HA.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to continue evaluation of mAb‐based alternative methods for measuring the potency of inactivated influenza vaccines, focusing on A(H7N9) pandemic influenza vaccines.

Methods

Several murine mAbs that recognize different epitopes on the H7 hemagglutinin (HA) were identified and characterized. These mAbs were evaluated in both a mAb‐capture ELISA and a mAb‐based biolayer interferometry (BLI) assay.

Results

Results indicated that potency of inactivated A(H7N9) vaccines, including vaccine samples that were stressed by heat treatment, measured by either alternative method correlated well with potency determined by the traditional SRID potency assay.

Conclusions

The availability of multiple H7 mAbs, directed to different HA epitopes, provides needed redundancy in the potency analysis as A(H7N9) viruses continue to evolve antigenically and suggests the importance of having a broad, well‐characterized panel of mAbs available for development of vaccines against influenza strains with pandemic potential. In addition, the results highlight the potential of mAb‐based platform such as ELISA and BLI for development as alternative methods for determining the potency of inactivated influenza vaccines.     

Experimental challenge and pathology of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 in dunlin (Calidris alpina), an intercontinental migrant shorebird species

Please cite this paper as: Hall et al. (2011). Experimental challenge and pathology of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 in dunlin (Calidris alpina), an intercontinental migrant shorebird species. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 5(5), 365–372. Background Shorebirds (Charadriiformes) are considered one of the primary reservoirs of avian influenza. Because these species are highly migratory, there is concern that infected shorebirds may be a mechanism by which highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 could be introduced into North America from Asia. Large numbers of dunlin (Calidris alpina) migrate from wintering areas in central and eastern Asia, where HPAIV H5N1 is endemic, across the Bering Sea to breeding areas in Alaska. Low pathogenic avian influenza virus has been previously detected in dunlin, and thus, dunlin represent a potential risk to transport HPAIV to North America. To date no experimental challenge studies have been performed in shorebirds. Methods Wild dunlin were inoculated intranasally and intrachoanally various doses of HPAIV H5N1. The birds were monitored daily for virus excretion, disease signs, morbidity, and mortality. Results The infectious dose of HPAIV H5N1 in dunlin was determined to be 10^1.7 EID₅₀/100 μl and that the lethal dose was 10^1.83 EID₅₀/100 μl. Clinical signs were consistent with neurotropic disease, and histochemical analyses revealed that infection was systemic with viral antigen and RNA most consistently found in brain tissues. Infected birds excreted relatively large amounts of virus orally (10⁴ EID₅₀) and smaller amounts cloacally. Conclusions Dunlin are highly susceptible to infection with HPAIV H5N1. They become infected after exposure to relatively small doses of the virus and if they become infected, they are most likely to suffer mortality within 3–5 days. These results have important implications regarding the risks of transport and transmission of HPAIV H5N1 to North America by this species and raises questions for further investigation.     

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.     

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。