Isolation and mutation trend analysis of influenza A virus subtype H9N2 in Egypt (original) (raw)

Genetic and antigenic evolution of H9N2 avian influenza viruses circulating in Egypt between 2011 and 2013

Archives of virology, 2014

Avian influenza virus subtype H9N2 has been circulating in the Middle East since the 1990s. For uncertain reasons, H9N2 was not detected in Egyptian farms until the end of 2010. Circulation of H9N2 viruses in Egyptian poultry in the presence of the enzootic highly pathogenic H5N1 subtype adds a huge risk factor to the Egyptian poultry industry. In this study, 22 H9N2 viruses collected from 2011 to 2013 in Egypt were isolated and sequenced. The genomic signatures and protein sequences of these isolates were analyzed. Multiple mammalian-host-associated mutations were detected that favor transmission from avian to mammalian hosts. Other mutations related to virulence were also identified. Phylogenetic data showed that Egyptian H9N2 viruses were closely related to viruses isolated from neighboring Middle Eastern countries, and their HA gene resembled those of viruses of the G1-like lineage. No reassortment was detected with H5N1 subtypes. Serological analysis of H9N2 virus revealed anti...

Genetic evolution of low pathogenecity H9N2 Avian influenza viruses in Tunisia: acquisition of new mutations

Virology Journal, 2011

Background Since the end of 2009, H9N2 has emerged in Tunisia causing several epidemics in poultry industry resulting in major economic losses. To monitor variations of Influenza viruses during the outbreaks, Tunisian H9N2 virus isolates were identified and genetically characterized. Methods The genomic RNA segments of Tunisian H9N2 strains were subjected to RT-PCR amplifications followed by sequencing analysis. Results Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that A/Ck/TUN/12/10 and A/Migratory Bird/TUN/51/10 viruses represent multiple reassortant lineages, with genes coming from Middle East strains, and share the common ancestor Qa/HK/G1/97 isolate which has contributed internal genes of H5N1 virus circulating in Asia. Some of the internal genes seemed to have undergone broad reassortments with other influenza subtypes. Deduced amino acid sequences of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene showed the presence of additional glycosylation site and Leu at position 234 indicating to binding preference...

Characterization of avian H9N2 influenza viruses from United Arab Emirates 2000 to 2003

Virology, 2007

Our aim was to establish the phylogenetic relation of H9N2 avian viruses in the Middle East to other Asian H9N2 lineages by characterization of 7 viruses isolated from United Arab Emirates (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003). All these viruses had an additional basic amino acid at the hemagglutinin-connecting peptide; 6 contained a mutation associated with increased affinity toward human-like sialic acid substrates. The viruses' surface glycoproteins and most internal genes were >90% similar to those of A/Quail/Hong Kong/G1/97 (H9N2) lineage. The hemadsorbing site of neuraminidase had up to 4 amino acid substitutions, as do human pandemic viruses. M2 sequence analysis revealed amino acid changes at 2 positions, with increasing resistance to amantadine in cell culture. They replicated efficiently in inoculated chickens and were successfully transmitted to contacts. They continue to maintain H5N1-like genes and may augment the spread of H5N1 viruses through regional cocirculation and inapparent infection. These viruses may present as potential pandemic candidates themselves.

Phylogenetic analysis of hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, and nucleoprotein genes of H9N2 avian influenza viruses isolated in Israel during the 2000–2005 epizootic

Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 2009

The first two isolates of H9N2 influenza virus in Israel were collected from turkey and chicken hosts in May 2000. The actual epizootic of the H9N2 virus started in December 2001, after a 1.5-year period of silence, and still continues. A total of more than 500 isolations from turkeys and chickens were registered during the outbreaks. The present study has revealed some genetic peculiarities among the local isolates, namely: all the isolates belong to the same G1-like phylogenetic lineage, within which they form a single group, which, in turn, is divided into three subgroups in the cases of the HA and NP genes, and two subgroups in the case of the NA gene. The results present a basis for suggesting the existence of two parallel evolutionary trends originating from the same local ''prototype'' isolate. #

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the haemagglutinin genes of H9N2 avian influenza viruses isolated from commercial chickens in Iran

Tropical Animal Health and Production, 2010

To determine the genetic relationship of Iranian viruses, the haemagglutinin (HA) genes from ten isolates of H9N2 viruses isolated from commercial chickens in Iran during 1998-2002 were amplified and sequenced. Sequence analysis and phylogenetic studies were conducted by comparing each isolate with those of the available H9N2 strains at GenBank. All these ten isolates had the same sequence-R-S-S-R/G-L-of proteolytic cleavage site of the HA. Nucleotide sequence comparisons of HA gene from Iranian isolates showed 95.2-99.1% identity within the group. Five isolates had leucine (L) at position 226 instead of glutamine (Q). Phylogenetic analysis showed that all our isolates belonged to the G1-like sublineage. Also these isolates showed some degree of homology with other H9N2 isolates e.g., 94.3-96.9% with qu/HK/G1/97, 96.1-98.6% with pa/Chiba/1/97, 95.6-98.2% with pa/Narita/92A/98, and 94.0-96.3% with HK/1073/99. On the basis of phylogenetic and molecular characterization evidence, we concluded that the H9N2 subtype influenza viruses circulating in chicken flocks in Iran since 1998-2002 had a common origin. The results of this study indicated that all Iranian viruses have the potential to emerge as highly pathogenic influenza virus, and considering the homology of these isolates with human H9N2 strains, it seems that the potential of these avian influenza isolates to infect human should not be overlooked.

Novel reassortant of H9N2 avian influenza viruses isolated from chickens and quails in Egypt

Veterinary World, 2021

Background and Aim: Poultry infections with H9N2 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are endemic in Egypt. This study determined the genetic changes in the sequences of H9N2 AIVs isolated from chicken and quails in Egypt, including determining genetic reassortment and detecting the main genetic changes in hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes. Materials and Methods: Swab samples were collected from chicken and quails, examined through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and AIVs from positive samples were isolated in embryonated chicken eggs. Complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were conducted for two H9N2 AIV isolates, and sequences of HA and NA gene segments were analyzed in another two isolates. Results: A novel reassortant virus was identified from a commercial chicken flock (A/chicken/Egypt/374V/2016) and quails from a live bird market (A/quail/Egypt/1253V/2016). The reassortant viruses acquired four genome segments from the classic Egyptian H9N2 viruses (HA, NA, NP, and M) and four segments from Eurasian AIVs (PB2, PB1, PA, and NS). Many genetic changes have been demonstrated in HA and NA genes. The isolated novel reassortant H9N2 virus from quails showed amino acid mutations in the antigenic sites on the globular head of the mature HA monomer matched with the parent Egyptian H9N2 virus. Conclusion: This work described the genetic characterization of a novel reassortment of the H9N2 virus in Egypt. The emergence of new reassorted AIV viruses and genome variability raises the concern of an influenza pandemic with zoonotic potentials.

Genetic characterization of the H9N2 influenza viruses circulated in the poultry population in Israel

Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases, 2006

The partial nucleotide sequences of the hemagglutinin (HA) genes of 72 H9N2 influenza viruses isolated from chickens and turkeys in Israel during the period 2000-2005 were genetically analyzed. The isolates possessed the three types of amino acid motif -R-S-S-R/G-L-, -R-S-N-R/G-L-, and -R-S-K-R/G-L- at the cleavage site of HA. Phylogenetic analyses showed that all Israeli isolates belonged to the same group which further divided into three closely related sub-groups. The HA genes of these isolates were related to the HA gene of A/chicken/Germany/R45/98 isolated from chicken in Germany in 1998.

First outbreaks and phylogenetic analyses of avian influenza H9N2 viruses isolated from poultry flocks in Morocco

Virology Journal, 2016

Background: H9N2 avian influenza viruses continue to spread in poultry and wild birds worldwide. Morocco just faced its first H9N2 influenza virus outbreaks early 2016 affecting different types of poultry production. After its introduction, the virus spread very rapidly throughout the country. Methods: Samples were collected from 11 chicken flocks with high morbidity and mortality rates. Four viruses were successfully isolated from broiler chickens and one from broiler breeders and fully sequenced. Results: Phylogenetic and molecular markers analyses showed the Moroccan viruses belonged to the G1 lineage and likely originated from the Middle East. As known for H9N2 viruses, the Moroccanisolates possess several genetic markers that enhance virulence in poultry and transmission to humans. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that under field conditions H9N2 could have a devastating effect on egg production and mortalities and highlighted a lack of surveillance data on the pathogen in the region.

Novel Gene Mutations in Tunisian Isolate of Avian H9N2 Influenza Virus

Journal of Veterinary Science & Technology, 2016

A new strain of H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) was isolated from suspected broiler flocks and characterized using RT-PCR and sequencing techniques which have shown new interesting mutations as compared to previously characterized Tunisian strains of major clinical importance. Reverse transcription-PCR, nucleotide sequencing, and GenBank BLAST database analyses of external and internal genes of the virus demonstrated that the new isolate, designated A/CK/TUN/145/12, has the 333 PSRSSR*GLF 341 motif at the cleavage site of its hemagglutinin (HA), different from that described in the older Tunisian strains, which possess the motif 333 PARSSR*GLF 34 , and others reported strains in the world. The presence of Leu at position 234 in the amino acid sequence of HA indicated the virus binding preference to the human cellular receptor α-2,6 sialic acid. Besides, such HA amino acid sequence showed two new mutations D280N and Y144S. The hemadsorption (HB) site of its neuraminidase (NA) did show three new mutations H441N, N342D and S331N in comparison to older Tunisian strains. Such mutations were reported for the highly pathogenic H5N2 subtype in Nigeria. Phylogenetic data allowed classification of the new Tunisian isolate in a new genetic group including the old Tunisian isolates.

Mutation signature in neuraminidase gene of avian influenza H9N2/G1 in Egypt

Virusdisease, 2017

The low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H9N2 subtype has become the most prevalent and widespread in many Asian and Middle Eastern countries. It causes an enzootic situation in commercial poultry and known as a potential facilitator virus that can be transmitted to human from birds. The neuraminidase (NA) gene plays an important role the release and spread of the virus from infected cells and throughout the bird. The complete nucleotide sequences of the NA gene of seven H9N2 viruses collected from apparent healthy chicken and quail flocks in Egypt during 2014-2015, were amplified and sequenced. The phylogenetic relationships were investigated and all viruses were belonging to the A/Q/HK/G1/97 strain (G1-like). There were no insertions or deletions or shortening in NA stalk regions when compared to Y280-lineage and the human H9N2 isolates. No obvious changes NA interactions with antiviral drugs. We found that the Egyptian H9N2 viruses have seven glycosylation sites like the most re...