Characterization of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Viruses Isolated from Domestic Poultry in China

The highly pathogenic avian influenza （HPAI） H5N1 virus has caused several outbreaks in domestic poultry. Despite great efforts to control the spread of this virus, it continues to evolve and poses a substantial threat to public health because of a high mortality rate. In this study, we sequenced whole genomes of eight H5N1 avian influenza viruses isolated from domestic poultry in eastern China and compared them with those of typical influenza virus strains. Phylogenetic analyses showed that all eight genomes belonged to clade 2.3.2.1 and clade 7.2, the two main circulating clades in China. Viruses that clustered in clade 2.3.2.1 shared a high degree of homology with H5N1 isolates located in eastern Asian. Isolates that clustered in clade 7.2 were found to circulate throughout China, with an east-to-west density gradient. Pathogenicity studies in mice showed that these isolates replicate in the lungs, and clade 2.3.2.1 viruses exhibit a notably higher degree of virulence compared to clade 7.2 viruses. Our results contribute to the elucidation of the biological characterization and pathogenicity of HPAI H5N1 viruses.

Avian Influenza H5N1 Surveillance in Geese of Qinghai Province, China (2012)

The aim of study was to detect H5N1 virus in wild geese in Qinghai Province in 2012. The work was provided according to WHO and OIE guidelines. In 2012, we collected 532 samples from wild geese of two species: Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) and Graylag Goose (Anser anser). We analyzed samples by chicken embryo inoculation and PCR. No avian influenza viruses were isolated. History of HPAI H5N1 shows obvious importance of Central Asian region in its spreading. The outbreaks of the H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI H5N1) were reported in wild birds at the Qinghai Lake since 2005. This area seems to be key point for H5N1 avian influenza surveillance in wild birds. We did not find viruses although H5N1 cases in poultry were reported from 5 provinces of China in 2012. Annual surveillance is required for early AIV detection in this region.

Substrate specificity of avian influenza H5N1 neuraminidase

AIM: To characterise neuraminidase(NA) substrate specificity of avian influenza H5N1 strains from humans and birds comparing to seasonal influenza virus.METHODS: Avian influenza H5N1 strains from humans and birds were recruited for characterising their NA substrate specificity by using a modified commercial fluorescence Amplex Red assay. This method can identify the preference of α2,6-linked sialic acid or α2,3-linked sialic acid. Moreover, to avoid the bias of input virus, reverse genetic virus using NA gene from human isolated H5N1 were generated and used to compare with the seasonal influenza virus. Lastly, the substrate specificity profile was further confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) analysis of the enzymatic product. RESULTS: The H5N1 NA showed higher activity on α2,3-linked sialic acid than α2,6-linked(P < 0.0001). To compare the NA activity between the H5N1 and seasonal influenza viruses, reverse genetic viruses carrying the NA of H5N1 viruses and NA from a seasonal H3N2 virus was generated. In these reverse genetic viruses, the NA activity of the H5N1 showed markedly higher activity against α2,3-linked sialic acid than that of the H3N2 virus, whereas the activities on α2,6-linkage were comparable. Interestingly, NA from an H5N1 human isolate that was previously shown to have heamagglutinin(HA) with dual specificity showed reduced activity on α2,3-linkage. To confirm the substrate specificity profile, HPLC analytic of enzymatic product was performed. Similar to Amplex red assay, H5N1 virus showed abundant preference on α2,3-linked sialic acid.CONCLUSION: H5N1 virus maintains the avian specific NA and NA changes may be needed to accompany changes in HA receptor preference for the viral adaptation to humans.

Cross-neutralizing Anti-hemagglutinin Antibodies Isolated from Patients Infected with Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus

Objective To recover broad-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies(Bn Abs)from avian influenza A(H5N1)virus infection cases and investigate their genetic and functional features.Methods We screened the Abs repertoires of expanded B cells circulating in the peripheral blood of H5N1 patients.The genetic basis,biological functions,and epitopes of the obtained Bn Abs were assessed and modeled.Results Two Bn Abs,2-12 D5,and 3-37 G7.1,were respectively obtained from two human H5N1 cases on days 12 and 21 after disease onset.Both Abs demonstrated cross-neutralizing and Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity(ADCC)activity.Albeit derived from distinct Ab lineages,i.e.,V^H1-69-D2-15-JH^4(2-12D5)and V^H1-2-D3-9-JH^5(3-32 G7.1),the Bn Abs were directed toward CR6261-like epitopes in the HA stem,and HA2 I45 in the hydrophobic pocket was the critical residue for their binding.Signature motifs for binding with the HA stem,namely,IFY in VH1-69-encoded Abs and LXYFXW in D3-9-encoded Abs,were also observed in 2-12D5 and 3-32 G7.1,respectively.Conclusions Cross-reactive B cells of different germline origins could be activated and re-circulated by avian influenza virus.The HA stem epitopes targeted by the Bn Abs,and the two Ab-encoding genes usage implied the VH1-69 and D3-9 are the ideal candidates triggered by influenza virus for vaccine development.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 Clade 2.3.2.1c virus in migratory birds,2014–2015

A novel Clade 2.3.2.1c H5N1 reassortant virus caused several outbreaks in wild birds in some regions of China from late 2014 to 2015.Based on the genetic and phylogenetic analyses,the viruses possess a stable gene constellation with a Clade 2.3.2.1c HA,a H9N2-derived PB2 gene and the other six genes of Asian H5N1-origin.The Clade 2.3.2.1c H5N1 reassortants displayed a high genetic relationship to a human H5N1 strain(A/Alberta/01/2014).Further analysis showed that similar viruses have been circulating in wild birds in China,Russia,Dubai(Western Asia),Bulgaria and Romania(Europe),as well as domestic poultry in some regions of Africa.The affected areas include the Central Asian,East Asian-Australasian,West Asian-East African,and Black Sea/Mediterranean flyways.These results show that the novel Clade 2.3.2.1c reassortant viruses are circulating worldwide and may have gained a selective advantage in migratory birds,thus posing a serious threat to wild birds and potentially humans.

The Evidence of Clade 7.1 Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) in Qinghai Lake

The highly pathogenic influenza A virus subtype H5N1 spread throughout Asia since 2003, reached to Europe in 2005, and the Middle East, as well as Africa and caused a global concern for a potential pandemic threat last decade. A Clade 2.3.2 H5N1 virus became dominate in the Qinghai Lake region in 2009 with sporadic mammal cases of infection and transferred to Russia and Europe through wild migratory birds. Currently, HPAI H5N1 of clades 2.3.4, 2.3.2, and 7 are the dominant co-circulating H5N1 viruses in poultry in Asia. 2.3.2 Clade is dominant in wild birds through the world whereas there is no evident data about Clade 7 circulation in wild birds. We detected HPAI H5N1 virus of Clade 7.1 in Qinghai Lake, that closely related to Shanxi-like and Vietnam viruses co-circulating in poultry. This is the first report of Clade 7.1 H5N1 in wild birds. Based on phylogenetic analyses, the virus can be originated from Clade 7.1 virus gene pool that spread in Vietnam and Chinese poultry and could spread with migratory birds to Qinghai Lake. The Qinghai Lake continues to be significant hotspot for H5N1 surveillance since the regular outbreaks occurred there in wild birds and mammals. Based on these facts and findings, the related researchers should pay more attention to the Qinghai Lake basin as significant hotspot for H5N1 avian influenza surveillance since the regular H5N1 outbreaks occurred there in wild birds with sporadic mammal cases of infection.

Therapeutic Trial of an Endothelin Receptor Agonist for the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A/H5N1 Virus Infection in Chicks

The rapid spread of the highly pathogenic A/H5N1 avian influenza virus among domestic birds and its transmission to humans has induced world-wide fears of a new influenza pandemic. A/H5N1 has infected over 300 people since 1997, and has shown a mortality rate of over 50%. The high mortality in human cases is thought to be enhanced by the excessive secretion of various endogenous factors, including cytokines and interleukins, stimulated by viral infections. Chickens infected with A/H5N1 viruses experience sudden death without showing severe clinical symptoms or inflammation. However, severe hemorrhage and congestion are seen in various tissues in sporadic chicken cases of A/H5N1-infections, especially in the pulmonary tissues, thus indicating that there is ischemia due to vascular abnormalities. Our previous studies have focused on the expression pattern of endothelin-1, which modulates the vascular tone via endothelin receptors. An Indonesian sporadic strain of A/H5N1 virus was intranasally administered to 10-day-old chicks, and the expression of endothelin was examined in the infected birds. All birds died within five days of inoculation, and had moderate inflammation accompanied by severe hemorrhage and congestion in the lungs. Immunohistochemical studies showed enhanced expression of endothelin-1 in the infected lungs. In addition, the real-time PCR analyses revealed that endothelin-1 and endothelin receptor A mRNA were significantly elevated in the birds with A/H5N1 infections. Subsequently, H5N1-infected birds were inoculated with bosentan hydrate, a competitive antagonist of endothelin receptors. Interestingly, the mortality rate of the infected birds was dramatically decreased in a dose-dependent manner by the administration of bosentan hydrate. The pathological lesions, including congestion and hemorrhage in the pulmonary tissues, were clearly inhibited. These findings are promising, and suggest that endothelin receptor antagonists are a potential treatment for the highly pathogenic avian flu.

Histopathology of Ducks Experimentally Infected with a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus,A/duck/Guangdong/220/2004(H5N1)

Ducks inoculated intravenously or via the ocular-nasal-oral-cloacal routes with a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus,A/duck/Guangdong/220/2004(H5N1),developed systemic hyperemia,congestion,hemorrhage,thrombosis and edema in various organs,as well as necrosis or apoptosis in the parenchyma of the heart,liver,spleen,lungs,kidneys,pancreas,brain,thymus and bursa of Fabricius.The main manifestations were angiitis,necrotic pancreatitis,atrophic necrotic thymitis and bursitis Fabricii,splenitis,tracheitis,hemorrhagic bronchointerstitial pneumonia,viral myocarditis,nonsuppurative encephalitis,focal viral hepatitis,ulcerative enteritis,renal tubule interstitial nephritis,and intraglomerular mesangial cell hyperplastic glomerular nephritis.The results demonstrated that the mechanism of pathogenesis involved cellular necrosis and apoptosis,and that death of the ducks was caused by severe pathologic trauma occurring in multiple visceral organs.

Prevention of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A/H5N1 Infection by Passive Immunotherapy Using Antiserum

The rapid epidemic of highly pathogenic A/H5N1 avian influenza virus by transmission from poultry to humans triggered global unrest in the pandemic of novel influenza. If a human trophic strain of avian influenza viruses replicates in livestock including pigs and chickens, it may have high infectivity and pathogenicity to humans. The most effective method of reducing the outbreaks of influenza would be prophylaxis with an effective vaccine as well as anti-viral drugs including Oseltamivir and Zanamivir hydrate. In this study, chicken antiserum against A/H5N1 virus was produced: the antisera from immunized adult chicken had a strong binding activity to A/H5N1 viral antigens by ELISA. Furthermore, the antiserum strongly inhibited hemaggregation of erythrocytes and cytopathic effects in MDCK cells, indicating a strong neutralization activity against A/H5N1 infections. Interestingly, the mortality rate of chicks inoculated with A/H5N1 virus was dramatically decreased with the antiserum injection. These results suggest that antiserum may be a potentially effective protective and therapeutic modality for A/H5N1 infection.

Suppression of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A/H5N1 Infection Using Migratory Antibody Passed from Mother to Chick

Avian influenza is the most contagious disease not only in poultry, but also in humans. Avian influenza in humans occurs mainly in Southeast Asia, but no human-to-human pandemic has occurred. Meanwhile, outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry occur on a global scale and cause a large economic loss. Migration antibodies passed from mother birds via eggs are said to be an important component of the immune system that protects birds from infection. Thus, the immunity status of mother birds can determine the ability of offspring to defend against infection. In this study, we investigated the presence of anti-avian influenza virus antibody in chickens hatched on a poultry farm in Indonesia and examined the involvement of migratory antibodies in protecting against virus infection by infectious experiments of highly pathogenic avian influenza in chickens. Blood was collected from randomly selected chicks, and antibodies against avian influenza virus were evaluated in all birds. Since these young birds had no history of vaccination, the antibodies were deemed to have been transferred from the mother birds. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibody titer in each bird varied. Infection of these birds with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A/H5N1 intra-nasally resulted in a high mortality rate in chicks with low antibody titers but a low mortality rate in chicks with high antibody titers. These findings indicate that migratory antibody prevented highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 infection in chicks, suggesting that such a preventive effect could also be expected with outdoor natural infection.

Improvement of the efficacy of influenza vaccination (H5N1) in chicken by using extract of Cochinchina momordica seed (ECMS)

Seeds of a Chinese traditional medicine plant, Cochinchina momordica were used in the present study for the improvement of influenza vaccine （HSN 1） in chicken. Crude extraction from Cochinchina momordica seed （ECMS） was obtained by ethanol extraction method. In experiment No. 1, two weeks old chickens were immunized with influenza vaccine （HSN1） alone or combined with ECMS （5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 μg/dose）. Serum IgG antibody levels （by ELISA） as well as effects on dally weight gain were measured on 0, 7, 14 and 28th day after immunization. Results revealed that all ECMS groups numerically increased the antibody levels while 10 and 20 μg/dose groups significantly （P〈0.05） enhanced total IgG antibody on day 28, when compared with control. Average daily weight gain was also significantly higher in 20 μg/dose ECMS group. Adjuvant effect was also confirmed in experiment No. 2 when chickens were immunized with 20 μg/dose ECMS and antibody titer was measured through hemagglutination inhibition （HI）. It is concluded that ECMS has potential to improve the immune responses and deserve further study as an adjuvant.

Risk Analysis of Wild Birds in Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza （HPAI） H5N 1 have taken place in 15 countries in Asia, Europe and Africa since 2003, and have caused great economic losses. Much likelihood has been considered as risk factors, of which wild birds are attributed as one of the main factors. This is related to the environmental deterioration in the wetland and expanse of human＇s activities in production. The risk analysis in this paper only focused on the effect of wild birds to HPAI, and confirmed the high risk of wild birds in the spread of AIVs.

H5N1亚型禽流感病毒HA蛋白在水稻胚乳中的表达及其纯化

为制备H5N1亚型禽流感病毒HA蛋白并评估其免疫原性,利用水稻表达系统表达H5N1亚型禽流感病毒重组HA蛋白。首先构建了重组植物表达载体pCAMBIA1300-HA,该载体具有GT13特有启动子、信号肽SP和终止子,有利于外源基因在水稻中表达。之后将重组质粒pCAMBIA1300-HA通过电转化法导入根癌农杆菌EHA105中,筛选出阳性菌落并侵染水稻愈伤组织。经过暗培养、潮霉素筛选、分化、生根、成苗,采用CTAB法提取水稻叶片DNA,PCR鉴定结果显示,HA基因已插入到水稻基因组中,重组HA基因大小为4660 bp。将阳性植株移植到大田中,4个月后收获水稻种子,提取水稻胚乳蛋白,Western blot鉴定结果表明,HA蛋白在水稻胚乳中成功表达。重组HA蛋白通过Q阴离子层析、疏水层析和凝胶过滤层析三步分离纯化,其纯度达到90%以上。最后将纯化后的重组HA蛋白与ISA 50V佐剂混合并乳化制成疫苗,免疫小鼠,小鼠血清具有较高的特异性抗体水平,表明重组HA蛋白免疫原性较好。综上,成功构建了H5N1亚型禽流感病毒HA重组蛋白的水稻表达系统,并分离纯化获得了高纯度和免疫原性良好的重组HA蛋白。

H5N1 influenza outbreak during March 2006 in Jordan

The highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 pandemic motivated countries around the World to be prepared for outbreaks within their borders. Well ahead of the outbreak, in Jordan contingency plans were prepared involving all relevant bodies in both the private and public sectors and a practice was simulated to test the effectiveness of the task force and the applicability of the plan. The highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus was detected and confirmed in one turkey in a backyard flock comprising 12 turkeys and 25 chickens in Kufranjah, 6 km from Ajloun city, on 23 March 2006. The samples were confirmed by the following day. Control measures were implemented immediately according to the national contingency plan and complete clean up achieved by 27 March 2006. A 3 km area around the index case was designated as a control zone, with a 10 km area around the holding further designated as a surveillance zone. The objective was to stamp out the infection and approximately 20,000 birds were destroyed including all commercial and backyard flocks in the control zone. All the human contacts were examined, treated and discharged from the hospital. The immediate response from all Jordanian sectors involved in the control strategy was positive as a result of increasing awareness and training programs that were implemented six months before the occurrence of the outbreak. A total estimated economic loss posed by this outbreak including compensation was almost $US169 million. Following the outbreak, passive surveil-lance for the virus was undertaken and training and capacity building continued. Efforts made in the preparation for an outbreak paid dividends and the need for a department responsible for monitoring migratory and wild birds in Jordan was recognized. Legislation regarding biosecurity of poultry farms and poultry transport vehicles should be revised.

基于HCR放大的无标记型荧光传感器的构建及H5N1 DNA检测

对于高致病性H5N1禽流感病毒,构建检测该病毒的高灵敏生物传感器,并与智能包装相结合用于实时监测,这对禽流感的防控具有重要意义。基于杂交链式反应(HCR)信号放大策略,以AgNCs作为荧光信号基团,构建了一种无标记“turn on”型荧光生物传感器用于检测代表H5N1病毒的H5N1基因序列。该传感器以H5N1 DNA作为触发剂引发HCR过程,使AgNCs产生强的荧光信号变化。研究表明,当H5N1 DNA浓度在0.2~800.0 nmol/L内,该传感器具有良好的响应信号,且在0.2~200.0 nmol/L之间的荧光强度与H5N1 DNA浓度呈线性相关,线性方程为y=10.982C+567.435(R^(2)=0.99273),检测限为176 pmol/L。核酸传感体系具有通用性,通过简单调整目标序列,可实现对不同目标物的特异性灵敏检测。该研究有望为高灵敏分析禽流感病毒标志物的通用传感平台设计提供思路。

H5N1亚型禽流感变异株灭活疫苗种毒Re-4株的生物学特性及免疫原性研究

本实验对经反向遗传方法构建的重组禽流感H5N1亚型变异株灭活疫苗种毒Re-4株的生物学特性及免疫效力进行研究。将Re-4株接种SPF鸡胚后37℃培养72h,鸡胚存活,无病变,HA滴度达29;以0.1mL(106.0EID50/0.1mL)的剂量鼻腔感染4周龄SPF鸡7d后血清HI抗体转阳,无任何症状,也不排毒;SPF鸡静脉致病指数(IVPI)为0;以Re-4重组株为种毒制备灭活疫苗,免疫SPF鸡后,3周后平均HI抗体效价达8.75log2;免疫鸡对亲本强毒株CKSX/06,以及变异株CKNX/06和流行株GSGD/96攻击提供完全保护。以上结果表明变异株灭活疫苗种毒Re-4株对SPF鸡胚和SPF鸡无致病性、适合鸡胚增殖、抗原针对性强,并且以该毒株制备的灭活疫苗具有良好的免疫效力,是研制预防H5N1亚型禽流感病毒山西变异株的理想疫苗种毒株。

禽流感病毒H5N1变异株灭活疫苗(Re-4株)对鸡、鸭和鹅的免疫效果研究

为系统评估禽流感病毒(AIV)H5N1变异株灭活疫苗(Re-4株)对家禽的免疫效果,本研究将Re-4株油乳剂灭活疫苗免疫SPF鸡和商品蛋鸡、商品鸭及商品鹅。免疫后每周采集血清测定HI抗体,绘制抗体消长曲线,免疫SPF鸡在免疫后2周、3周和50周时以105EID50剂量的强毒株(CK/SX/2/06)进行攻毒。研究结果显示,该疫苗对蛋鸡、鸭、鹅均具有良好的免疫效果,而且SPF免疫鸡血清HI抗体在4log2以上时能够完全抵抗CK/SX/2/06强毒的攻击。因此,根据实验结果推荐该油乳剂灭活疫苗的对上述禽类的免疫程序:商品蛋鸡10日龄颈部皮下注射0.3mL,60日龄和110日龄(开产前)时依次胸肌注射0.5mL和1.0mL进行免疫;商品鸭、鹅在2周龄均以0.5mL首免,5周龄和4月龄左右时以1mL的剂量肌肉注射方式进行加强免疫。

新型H5N1亚型禽流感灭活疫苗对鸭、鹅及鸽免疫原性研究

本研究就反基因操作分子修饰致弱种毒株制备新型H5N1亚型禽流感灭活疫苗对鸭、鹅和鸽子的免疫原性进行了系统评估。结果表明该疫苗对水禽及鸽子具有良好免疫原性。根据实验结果,初步推荐该禽流感灭活疫苗对上述禽类的免疫程序,即鸭:2周龄0 5mL皮下注射,3月龄1 0mL肌肉注射二免,9月龄1 0mL肌肉注射三免;鹅:10日龄0 5mL皮下注射,3～4周龄1 5mL肌肉注射加强免疫,4月龄1 5mL进行第3次免疫;鸽子:2周龄以0 3mL首免,4周龄以0 5mL加强免疫,6月龄以0 5mL第3次免疫。

H5N1亚型高致病性禽流感病毒A/goose/Guangdong/1/96株反向基因操作系统的建立

A/goose/Guangdong/1/96(GSGD/1/96)是中国分离的第1株H5N1亚型禽流感病毒,它不仅是97香港感染并致人死亡的H5N1亚型流感病毒HA基因供体株,而且是中国目前已报到的H5亚型流感病毒分离株的共同祖先。本研究建立了该病毒的8质粒反向基因操作系统,并通过细胞转染成功拯救了该病毒(R-GSGD/1/96)。R-GSGD/1/96在对SPF鸡和Balb/c小鼠的致病性方面保持了与亲本野毒(W-GSGD/1/96)一致的生物学特性,即对鸡都是高致病性毒株,R-GSGD/1/96与W-GSGD/1/96的静脉致病指数分别为2.01和2.10;救获病毒与野生病毒一样,尽管106EID50经鼻腔感染小鼠后1～2d内能从肺脏检测到低滴度的病毒,但不能在小鼠体内成功复制。GSGD/1/96反向基因操作系统的成功建立为进一步开展中国高致病性禽流感病毒分离株的生物学特性、遗传衍化及结构与其功能关系研究奠定了基础。

人H5N1亚型禽流感病毒安徽株NS1基因的克隆及在原核系统的表达

利用RT-PCR方法,从人H5N1亚型禽流感病毒安徽株扩增到了NS1基因,对其进行了克隆、序列测定和分析,并在原核系统高效表达和纯化了NS1蛋白.进化分析表明,A/Anhui/01/2005毒株与近些年国内分离的水禽H5N1病毒进化关系更为接近.NS1与福建、湖南分离的禽流感病毒同源性最高,分别达到99.1%和98.2%.序列分析表明,与病毒的致病性相关的92位氨基酸为Asp,与病毒的细胞因子抗性相关的80～84位氨基酸发生缺失,与断裂/多聚腺苷酸化特异性因子结合的基序改变为GFEWN,和病毒致死性相关的PL基序为ESEV.随后在大肠杆菌高效表达并纯化了NS1蛋白.Ns1基因及其编码产物的特性分析以及在原核系统的表达,为进一步研究NS1的致病机制和抗病毒药物研制奠定了基础.