Antibodies elicited by Newcastle disease virus-vectored H7N9 avian influenza vaccine are functional in activating the complement system

H7N9 subtype avian influenza virus poses a great challenge for poultry industry.Newcastle disease virus(NDV)-vectored H7N9 avian influenza vaccines(NDV_(vec)H7N9)are effective in disease control because they are protective and allow mass administration.Of note,these vaccines elicit undetectable H7N9-specific hemagglutination-inhibition(HI)but high IgG antibodies in chickens.However,the molecular basis and protective mechanism underlying this particular antibody immunity remain unclear.Herein,immunization with an NDV_(vec)H7N9 induced low anti-H7N9 HI and virus neutralization titers but high levels of hemagglutinin(HA)-binding IgG antibodies in chickens.Three residues(S150,G151 and S152)in HA of H7N9 virus were identified as the dominant epitopes recognized by the NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum.Passively transferred NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum conferred complete protection against H7N9 virus infection in chickens.The NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum can mediate a potent lysis of HA-expressing and H7N9 virus-infected cells and significantly suppress H7N9 virus infectivity.These activities of the serum were significantly impaired after heat-inactivation or treatment with complement inhibitor,suggesting the engagement of the complement system.Moreover,mutations in the 150-SGS-152 sites in HA resulted in significant reductions in cell lysis and virus neutralization mediated by the NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum,indicating the requirement of antibody-antigen binding for complement activity.Therefore,antibodies induced by the NDV_(vec)H7N9 can activate antibody-dependent complement-mediated lysis of H7N9 virus-infected cells and complement-mediated neutralization of H7N9 virus.Our findings unveiled a novel role of the complement in protection conferred by the NDV_(vec)H7N9,highlighting a potential benefit of engaging the complement system in H7N9 vaccine design.

Genetic and biological properties of H9N2 avian influenza viruses isolated in central China from2020 to 2022

The H9N2 subtype of avian influenza virus(AIV)is widely prevalent in poultry and wild birds globally,and has become the predominant subtype circulating in poultry in China.The H9N2 AIV can directly or indirectly(by serving as a"donor virus")infect humans,posing a significant threat to public health.Currently,there is a lack of in-depth research on the prevalence of H9N2 viruses in Shanxi Province,central China.In this study,we isolated 14 H9N2 AIVs from October 2020 to April 2022 in Shanxi Province,and genetic analysis revealed that these viruses belonged to 7 different genotypes.Our study on animals revealed that the H9N2 strains we identified displayed high transmission efficiency among chicken populations,and exhibited diverse replication abilities within these birds.These viruses could replicate efficiently in the lungs of mice,with one strain also demonstrating the capacity to reproduce in organs like the brain and kidneys.At the cellular level,the replication ability of different H9N2 strains was evaluated using plaque formation assays and multi-step growth curve assays,revealing significant differences in the replication and proliferation efficiency of the various H9N2 viruses at the cellular level.The antigenicity analysis suggested that these isolates could be classified into 2 separate antigenic clusters.Our research provides crucial data to help understand the prevalence and biological characteristics of H9N2 AIVs in central China.It also highlights the necessity of enhancing the surveillance of H9N2 AIVs.

2014-2018年新疆人感染H7N9禽流感分子流行病学特征分析

目的分析2014-2018年新疆14例人感染H7N9禽流感病例的分子流行病学特征,为防控及治疗提供科学依据。方法提取核酸后采用高通量基因测序技术获得基因组序列,并用生物信息学分析软件对基因组序列进行同源性分析、进化分析、变异位点分析及同源建模。结果14例人感染H7N9禽流感病毒HA基因核苷酸同源性介于97.39%~100%,氨基酸同源性介于98.38%~100%;NA基因核苷酸同源性介于97.73%~100%,氨基酸同源性介于97.73%~100%,均属于长江三角洲谱系和低致病性禽流感病毒,分属于2个亚分支,与A/Hunan/02650/2016疫苗株最为接近。HA蛋白G186V、T160A全部发生了变异,Q226L中13株病毒发生了变异,NA蛋白4个关键的神经氨酸酶抑制剂耐药位点全部未发生变异。M2蛋白S31N和V27A位点全部发生了突变,PB1蛋白T368V位点全部发生了突变,PA蛋白位点K356R全部发生了突变。结论新疆H7N9禽流感病毒具有双受体结合性,对金刚烷胺类药物耐药,对神经氨酸酶抑制剂敏感,可在疾病发生早期及时使用神经氨酸酶抑制剂。需加强禽流感病毒基因组变化的监测,做好基因突变的应对措施。

中国H7N9禽流感遗传演化趋势及防控措施

H7N9禽流感病毒(AIV)感染人类的情况最先出现在中国,而且具有很高的突变性。2013年首次在人类身上分离出的是低致病性H7N9禽流感病毒,发展到2017年,已经出现高致病性H7N9禽流感病毒,严重威胁动物和人类的生命健康安全,同时,还会对社会的稳定和经济发展有一定的影响。综述通过NCBI(National Center for Biotechnology Information)和GISAID数据库收集了中国国内2001~2021年共4641条有关H7N9的数据,拟通过流行病学的角度来说明H7N9禽流感病毒在中国的发生、发展以及在时间、空间和种群间的分布情况,同时总结中国对H7N9所引起的大流行所采取的防控措施,以期为后续的疫情防控措施规划提供依据。

Human infection with avian influenza A（H7N9） virus in Shanghai： current status and future trends

Avian influenza A（H7N9） virus is one subgroup among the larger group of H7 viruses,which normally circulate among birds.The H7N9 subtype of avian influenza viruses has not been known to infect humans until only recently.On March 31,2013,China confirmed the first three human cases of novel avian influenza A（H7N9）infection in Shanghai and Anhui,two of these patients died.1 As of February 27,2014,367 laboratory-confirmed human cases have been reported from 15 provinces/municipalities in China's Mainland,

2014 update of the Chinese guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of avian influenza A（H7N9） virus infection

The National Health and Family Planning Commission of China published an updated guidance （2014 version） on clinical management in Chinese on January 26, 2014.The guidelines come as human cases of avian influenza A（H7N9） virus infection undergo a seasonal spike.

2022年湖南省家禽H7N9亚型禽流感监测与分析

为了解湖南省家禽(鸡、鸭、鹅)H7N9亚型禽流感的免疫抗体水平及其流行情况,2022年在全省14个市州,采用配额抽样方法,在种禽场、商品代场、散养户和活禽市场共采集46112份禽血清和53246份禽拭子样品,通过血凝抑制试验、荧光定量PCR方法分别进行免疫抗体和病毒核酸检测。结果显示:H7N9亚型禽流感免疫抗体平均场群合格率为93.27%,平均个体合格率为90.60%,仅在活禽市场的1份鸡拭子样品中检测到病毒核酸阳性;鸡H7N9亚型禽流感免疫抗体平均场群合格率和个体合格率(94.66%和91.51%)均高于水禽(83.26%和81.86%);种禽场的免疫抗体平均场群合格率和个体合格率最高,活禽市场最低,两者差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);全省14个市州的H7N9亚型禽流感免疫抗体平均场群合格率和个体合格率均在70%以上。结果表明:2022年湖南省家禽H7N9亚型禽流感免疫效果较好,在饲养场禽群中也未检出病原,发生大规模疫情的风险较低,但在活禽市场中仍检出病原,且水禽以及散养户和活禽市场禽群的免疫抗体水平略低,疫情散发风险依然存在。建议进一步加强对H7N9亚型禽流感的免疫监测以及动物检疫监管工作,不断提升公共卫生安全防护水平。

鸽H9N2亚型禽流感病毒的分离鉴定及致病性试验

H9N2亚型禽流感病毒属于A型流感病毒,目前H9N2亚型禽流感病毒不仅可以感染家禽,而且可以感染猪、猫等哺乳动物,甚至出现人类感染现象。因此,H9N2亚型流感病毒不仅影响畜禽的健康养殖,同时也具有一定的公共卫生学意义。近年来鸽群感染流感病毒时有报道,这其中包括H5N1、H7N9以及H9N2亚型禽流感病毒。虽然H9N2亚型禽流感毒株的致病性相对于H5和H7亚型较低,但是该亚型病毒在我国家禽中存在较为普遍,且目前从鸽子已分离到重组的H9N2毒株,该毒株不仅引起鸽子感染而且具有优先与人类呼吸道表面受体结合的能力,因此加强流感病毒在鸽群中流行情况具有重要的现实意义。

Risk assessment on the epidemics of human infection with a novel avian influenza A (H7N9) virus in Jiangsu Province, China

A novel avian influenza A （H7N9） virus was discovered in February 2013 in China and has resulted in more than 100 comfirmed human infections including 26 fatal cases as of May 2, 2013. The situation raises many ur- gent questions and global public health concerns. In this study, epidemiologic characteristics of infected human cases in Jiangsu province were analyzed and risk assessment was undertaken based on the information available. Briefly, it is highly unlikely that a pandemic of human infection with avian influenza A （HTN9） virus will happen in Jiangsu Province in the near future. Iia the end, some measures are recommended to prevent the situation from becoming worse.

Characterization of Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus Prevalence in Humans and Poultry in Huai′an,China：Molecular Epidemiology,Phylogenetic,and Dynamics Analyses

Objective To trace the source of human H7N9 cases in Huai＇an and elucidate the genetic characterization of Huai＇an strains associated with both humans and birds in live poultry market.Methods An enhanced surveillance was implemented when the first human H7N9 case was confirmed in Huai＇an.Clinical specimens,cloacal swabs,and fecal samples were collected and screened by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR） for H7N9 virus.The positive samples were subjected to further RT-PCR and genome sequencing.The phylodynamic patterns of H7N9 virus within and separated from Huai＇an and evolutionary dynamics of the virus were analyzed.Results Six patients with H7N9 infection were previously exposed to live poultry market and presented symptoms such as fever（〉38.0 °C） and headaches.Results of this study support the hypothesis that live poultry markets were the source of human H7N9 exposure.Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all novel H7N9 viruses,including Huai＇an strains,could be classified into two distinct clades,A and B.Additionally,the diversified H7N9 virus circulated in live poultry markets in Huai＇an.Interestingly,the common ancestors of the Huai＇an H7N9 virus existed in January 2012.The mean nucleotide substitution rates for each gene segment of the H7N9 virus were（3.09-7.26）×10-3 substitutions/site per year（95% HPD：1.72×10-3 to 1.16×10-2）.Conclusion Overall,the source of exposure of human H7N9 cases in Huai＇an was live poultry market,and our study highlights the presence of divergent genetic lineage of H7N9 virus in both humans and poultry specimens in Huai＇an.

Long-term Follow-up of 5 Survivors after the First Outbreak of Human Infections with Avian Influenza A（H7N9） Virus in Shanghai, China

At the end of March 2013, the first case of human infection with avian influenza A（H7N9） virus was confirmed in Shanghai. From April to May 2013, 18 patients with avian influenza A（H7N9） virus infection were hospitalized in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, and finally, 12 of them survived. The short-term prognosis of these patients had been described previously, but the long-term prognosis remained unclear.

H7N9亚型禽流感病毒HA基因mRNA的构建

H7N9亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)持续给家禽及人类健康造成威胁。为构建H7N9亚型AIV(简称H7N9 AIV)mRNA疫苗,本研究以AIV分离株A/chicken/Yunnan/SD024/2021(H7N9)(简称CK/YN/SD024/2021)的HA基因为目的基因、选择来自人β-球蛋白和非洲爪蟾β-球蛋白的不同编码基因序列作为HA基因的非翻译区(UTR),构建了中间转录质粒pGEM-YN和pXT7-YN,以2个质粒为模板通过体外转录制备了mRNA mH7-YN-pGEM和mH7-YN-pXT7;将2种mRNA转染HEK293T细胞,western blot鉴定结果显示2种mRNA转染的细胞均可检测到约为70 ku的HA蛋白条带和50 ku的HA1蛋白条带;通过间接免疫荧光试验(IFA)确定最适转染剂量和HEK293T细胞中HA蛋白的动态表达,结果显示,3μg mRNA转染106个细胞并于转染24 h后荧光信号强度均最强;将2种mRNA转染鸡胚成纤维细胞(CEF),均可通过IFA检测到HA蛋白的表达。以上结果表明,本研究正确构建了2种含H7N9 AIV HA基因的mRNA,且其均能够在HEK293T细胞和CEF中正确表达HA蛋白,3μg mRNA转染HEK293T细胞可获得最佳的蛋白表达水平,转染24 h后HA蛋白的表达水平达到最高。本研究基于UTR序列的差异首次正确构建了两种能在哺乳动物细胞和禽类细胞中高效表达H7N9 AIV HA蛋白的mRNA,为禽流感mRNA疫苗的研发和免疫效力评估奠定了良好的物质和技术基础。

Complete Genome Sequencing and Genetic Variation Analysis of Two H9N2 Subtype Avian Influenza Virus Strains

[Objective] The study aimed to investigate the genetic variation characters of entire sequences between two H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus strains and other reference strains.[Method] The entire sequences of 8 genes were obtained by using RT-PCR,and these sequences were analyzed with that of six H9N2 subtype avian influenza isolates in homology comparison and genetic evolution relation.[Result] The results showed that the nucleotide sequence of entire gene of the strain shared 91.1%-95.4% homology with other seven reference strains,and PG08 shared the highest homology 91.3% with C/BJ/1/94;ZD06 shared the highest homology 92.3% with D/HK/Y280/97.HA cleavage sites of two H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus isolated strains were PARSSR/GLF,typical of mildly pathogenic avian influenza virus.[Conclusion] Phylogenetic tree for entire gene of eight strains showed that the genetic relationship was the closest between ZD06 and C/Pak/2/99 strains,which belonged to the Eurasian lineage;PG08 shared the highest homology 91.3% with ZD06,it may be the product of gene rearrangements of other sub-lines.

Sequence Analysis of HA Genes from Three H9N2 Subtype Avian Influenza Viruses

[ Objective] The study aimed to understand the genetic characters of H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses isolated in Belling area. [ Method] HA genes of three H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses A/Chicken/Beijing/xu/00, A/Chicken/Beijing/bei/00 and A/Chicken/Beijing/ liu/00 were amplified by RT-PCR and then sequenced. [ Result] The results of phylogenetic analysis showed that A/Chicken/Beijing/xu/00, A/ Chicken/Beijing/bei/00 and A/Chicken/Beijing/liu/00 shared the nucleotide homologies of 84.8% （ Dk/HK/Y439/97 ） -98.0% （ Ck/GX17/00 ）, 85.1% （Dk/HK/Y439/97） - 99.1% （ Ck/GXl 7/00）, 90.7% （ Ck/BJ/3/01 ） - 99.1% （Ck/GX17/00） with the isolates from Hongkong and other are- as of Chinese Mainland respectively. At the same time, the analysis of amino acid indicated that the three isolates belonged to low pathogenic H9N2 isolates of avian origin. The 226^th amino acid of them were L （ Leu）, suggesting their high binding affinity to human cells. There were seven glyco- sylation sites in HA protein, five from HA1 and two from HA2. [ Cenclusien] By analysis at molecular level, it could be concluded that A/Chicken/ Beijing/xu/00, A/Chicken/Beijing/bei/00 and A/Chicken/Beijing/liu/00 were low pathogenic H9N2 isolates of avian origin.

稳定表达H7N9亚型禽流感病毒HA蛋白的293T细胞株构建及应用

为获得用于评价H7N9亚型禽流感疫苗诱导的抗体Fc免疫效应的靶细胞,研究采用慢病毒包装与感染技术构建一株稳定表达H7N9亚型禽流感病毒(H7N9 AIV)HA蛋白的细胞株,并以该细胞株为靶细胞建立H7N9亚型禽流感疫苗免疫血清补体介导的细胞毒(ADCML)活性的检测方法。结果显示成功包装了一株重组慢病毒,滴度可达108 FU/mL;构建了稳定表达H7N9 AIV HA蛋白的293T细胞株,HA蛋白主要在细胞膜上表达。基于新城疫病毒(NDV)载体的H7N9亚型禽流感疫苗免疫鸡后,诱导产生的HA结合性IgG抗体滴度为2180。以稳定细胞株为靶细胞,载体疫苗血清诱导的细胞死亡水平显著高于空载体与未免疫鸡血清(P<0.001);补体灭活后,载体疫苗血清诱导的细胞死亡水平显著降低(P<0.001)。研究表明,基于NDV载体的H7N9亚型禽流感疫苗免疫鸡血清具有较强的ADCML活性,稳定表达H7N9 AIV HA蛋白的细胞株可作为评价H7N9亚型禽流感疫苗免疫血清Fc免疫效应的靶细胞。

Sequence Comparison and Analysis of HA Gene of Four H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus Isolates

[ Objective] To determine the HA gene sequences of four H9N2 Avian influenza virus （AIV） strains and carry out comparative analysis so as to understand the difference and variation pattern of each strain from the angle of molecular biology and to know the distribution and epidemic law of H9N2 AIV. [Method] One pair of primers was designed referring to HA gene sequences of H9N2 AIV. The HA genes of A/Chicken/Hebei/WD/98 （H9N2; WD98 for short）, A/Chicken/Hebei/ZD/04 （H9N2; ZD04 for short））, A/Chicken/Beijing/MY/06 （H9N2; MY06 for short） ）, and A/Chicken/Beijing/PG/08 （H9N2; PG08 for short）） were amplified, cloned and sequenced. Then the HA gene sequences of these strains were compared with that of 10 H9N2 AIV stains in GenBank. [Result] The ORF of HA genes of the four strains was 1 683 bp in size, encoding 516 amino acids. The HA gene sequences of the four strains, WD98, MY06, PG08, and ZD04, were 82.6% -95.1%, 83.0% -99.0%, 82.7% -95.5%, and 81.3% -95.7% homologous to that of the 10 H9N2 AIV stains, respectively. And the homology of amino acid was respectively 86.6% -96.3%, 86.6% -97.9%, 87.0% -97.1%, and 86.9% -97.3%. [ Conclusion] The HA gene has greatly high homology among different strains.

Multiple RT-PCR Detection of H5,H7,and H9 Subtype Avian Influenza Viruses and Newcastle Disease Virus

Objective:This paper focuses on the multiple detection RT-PCR technology of H5,H7,AND H9 subtype avian influenza viruses and Newcastle disease virus,and points out the specific detection methods and detection procedures of avian influenza and Newcastle disease virus.Methods:The genes of Newcastle disease virus carrying out the HA gene sequence of H5,H7 and H9 subtype AIV in GenBank were used to establish a strategy for simultaneous detection of three subtypes of avian influenza virus and Newcastle disease virus.Results:The results showed that the program can detect and distinguish H5,H7 and H9 subtype avian influenza viruses and Newcastle disease virus at one time.Conclusion:Multiple RT-PCR detection method has high detection sensitivity and can detect and determine different subtypes of avian influenza virus and Newcastle disease virus quickly and accurately,therefore,it has a crucial role in the detection and control of avian influenza H5,H7 and H9 subtypes and Newcastle disease.

鸡鸭H7N9禽流感和新城疫抗体水平检测结果分析

为掌握衢州市衢江区鸡鸭H7N9禽流感和新城疫的免疫效果,笔者从2019至2021年连续3年对辖区内的规模养殖场及散养户鸡和鸭开展免疫抗体水平检测。检测结果表明,鸡H7N9禽流感、鸡新城疫及鸭H7N9禽流感的抗体合格率分别为93.91%、79.75%及90.96%,均达到国家规定合格率,其中鸡H7N9禽流感的抗体合格率显著高于鸡新城疫的抗体合格率(P=0.014);规模场的新城疫抗体合格率为88.37%显著高于散养户的抗体合格率61.15%(P=0.012);H7N9禽流感抗体合格率与新城疫抗体合格率在上半年和下半年间没有显著差异,说明季节对抗体合格率的影响较小。

Study on Piezoelectric Immunosensor for the Detection of H9-subtype Avian Influenza Virus

[Objective] The aim is to develop the piezoelectric immunosensor to detect H9-subtype avian influenza virus（AIV）.[Method] The immunosensor chip was constructed by self-assembling mercaptopmpionic acid（MPA） to be monolayer on the silver-coated electrode of quartz crystal and coupling the monoclonal antibody to H9 subtype AIV with N-ethy-N＇-（3-dimethyl aminopropyl）carbodiimide hydrochloride（EDC） and N-hydroxysuccinimide（NHS）.The immunosensor to detect H9 subtype AIV was established.[Result] The results showed that the immunosensor displayed better specificity to H9 AIV and had no response to H5AIV and NDV when it was used for detection.The sensitivity test indicated the detection sensitivity for the H9 subtype AIV could reach 20-100 EID50.[Conclusion] The research provided a foundation for further research on the immunosensor for detecting AIV and it could be a new approach to detect other related viruses.

Ventilator management for acute respiratory distress syndrome associated with avian infl uenza A(H7N9) virus infection: A case series

BACKGROUND: Data on the mechanical ventilation(MV) characteristics and radiologic features for the cases with H7 N9-induced ARDS were still lacking.METHODS: We describe the MV characteristics and radiologic features of adult patients with ARDS due to microbiologically confirmed H7 N9 admitted to our ICU over a 3-month period.RESULTS: Eight patients(mean age 57.38±16.75; 5 male) were diagnosed with H7 N9 in the first quarter of 2014. All developed respiratory failure complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS), which required MV in ICU. The baseline APACHE II and SOFA score was 11.77±6.32 and 7.71±3.12. The overall CT scores of the patients was 247.68±34.28 and the range of CT scores was 196.3–294.7. The average MV days was 14.63±6.14, and 4 patients required additional rescue therapies for refractory hypoxemia. Despite these measures, 3 patients died.CONCLUSION: In H7 N9-infected patients with ARDS, low tidal volume strategy was the conventional mode. RM as one of rescue therapies to refractory hypoxemia in these patients with serious architectural distortion and high CT scores, which could cause further lung damage, may induce bad outcomes and requires serious consideration. Prone ventilation may improve mortality, and should be performed at the early stage of the disease, not as a rescue therapy.