Isolation and genetic characterization of avian origin H9N2 influenza viruses from pigs in China

As pigs are susceptible to infection with both avian and human influenza A viruses, they have been proposed to be an intermediate host for the adaptation of avian influenza viruses to humans. In April 2006, a disease caused by highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) occurred in several pig farms and subsequently overwhelmed almost half of China with more than 2,000,000 cases of pig infection. Here we report a case in which four swine H9N2 influenza viruses were isolated from pigs infected by highly pathogenic PRRSVs in Guangxi province in China. All the eight gene segments of the four swine H9N2 viruses are highly homologous to A/Pigeon/Nanchang/2-0461/00 (H9N2) or A/Wild Duck/Nanchang/2-0480/00 (H9N2). Phylogenetic analyses of eight genes show that the swine H9N2 influenza viruses are of avian origin and may be the descendants of A/Duck/Hong Kong/Y280/97-like viruses. Molecular analysis of the HA gene indicates that our H9N2 isolates might have high-affinity binding to the alpha2,6-NeuAcGal receptor found in human cells. In conclusion, our finding provides further evidence about the interspecies transmission of avian influenza viruses to pigs and emphasizes the importance of reinforcing swine influenza virus (SIV) surveillance, especially after the emergence of highly pathogenic PRRSVs in pigs in China.     

Serological and Virological Surveillance of Avian Influenza A Virus H9N2 Subtype in Humans and Poultry in Shanghai,China, Between 2008 and 2010

We report the serological evidence of low‐pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H9N2 infection in an occupational poultry‐exposed population and a general population. A serological survey of an occupational poultry‐exposed population and a general population was conducted using a haemagglutinin‐inhibiting (HI) assay in Shanghai, China, from January 2008 to December 2010. Evidence of higher anti‐H9 antibodies was found in serum samples collected from poultry workers. During this period, 239 H9N2 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) were isolated from 9297 tracheal and cloacal paired specimens collected from the poultry in live poultry markets. In addition, a total of 733 influenza viruses were isolated from 1569 nasal and throat swabs collected from patients with influenza‐like symptoms in a sentinel hospital, which include H3N2, H1N1, pandemic H1N1 and B, but no H9N2 virus was detected. These findings highlight the need for long‐term surveillance of avian influenza viruses in occupational poultry‐exposed workers.     

Serological surveillance reveals widespread influenza A H7 and H9 subtypes among chicken flocks in Egypt

Multiple avian influenza viruses’ subtypes are circulating worldwide possessing serious threat to human populations and considered key contributors to the emergence of human influenza pandemics. This study aimed to identify the potential existence of H7 and H9 avian influenza infections circulating among chicken flocks in Egypt. Serum samples were collected from chicken flocks that experienced respiratory distresses and/or variable mortality rates. H7 and H9 virus infections were screened by haemagglutination inhibition assay using chicken erythrocytes. Serum samples were collected from 9 broiler, 12 breeder and 18 layer flocks. Out of 1,225 examined sera, 417 (34 %) from 14 flocks and 605 (49.4 %) from 21 flocks were found positive for H7 and H9, respectively. Prevalence of both H7 and H9 antibodies were higher in layer followed by breeder then broiler flocks. Special consideration should be paid to control influenza viruses in Egypt, as pandemic influenza strains may develop unnoticed given the presence of subclinical infections, and the possibility of re-assortment with the prevailing endemic H5N1 virus strains in Egypt do exist.     

Serologic surveillance of swine H1 and H3 and avian H5 and H9 influenza A virus infections in swine population in Korea

Influenza A is a respiratory disease common in the swine industry. Three subtypes, H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 influenza A viruses, are currently co-circulating in swine populations in Korea. An outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus occurred in domestic bird farms in Korea during the winter season of 2003. Pigs can serve as hosts for avian influenza viruses, enabling passage of the virus to other mammals and recombination of mammalian and avian influenza viruses, which are more readily transmissible to humans. This study reports the current seroprevalence of swine H1 and H3 influenza in swine populations in Korea by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. We also investigated whether avian H5 and H9 influenza transmission occurred in pigs from Korea using both the HI and neutralization (NT) tests. 51.2% (380/742) of serum samples tested were positive against the swine H1 virus and 43.7% (324/742) were positive against the swine H3 virus by HI assay. The incidence of seropositivity against both the swine H1 virus and the swine H3 virus was 25.3% (188/742). On the other hand, none of the samples tested showed seropositivity against either the avian H5 virus or the avian H9 virus by the HI and NT tests. Therefore, we report the high current seroprevalence and co-infectivity of swine H1 and H3 influenza viruses in swine populations and the lack of seroepidemiological evidence of avian H5 and H9 influenza transmission to Korean pigs.     

天津地区猪流感血清学调查

2002年-2005年期间,采用血凝抑制试验对天津市10个区县44个养猪场进行了猪流感病毒抗体检测,结果75%的被调查猪场抗体检测结果有阳性,检测的648份血清样品中,69.6%为阳性。流感病毒抗体亚型调查结果显示该地区流行的猪流感病毒主要为H1和H3亚型,抗体阳性率分别为55.4%和39.4%。部分猪群中存在抗H9亚型流感病毒抗体,阳性率为5.4%,但未发现H5亚型流感病毒抗体。此外,部分猪群中同时存在2种或3种亚型(H1,H3和H9)流感病毒的抗体,表明这些猪曾经同时被2种或3种不同亚型的流感病毒感染。     

Serological Evidence of Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus Infections in Greek Swine

The introduction of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) influenza virus in pigs changed the epidemiology of influenza A viruses (IAVs) in swine in Europe and the rest of the world. Previously, three IAV subtypes were found in the European pig population: an avian‐like H1N1 and two reassortant H1N2 and H3N2 viruses with human‐origin haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase proteins and internal genes of avian decent. These viruses pose antigenically distinct HAs, which allow the retrospective diagnosis of infection in serological investigations. However, cross‐reactions between the HA of pH1N1 and the HAs of the other circulating H1 IAVs complicate serological diagnosis. The prevalence of IAVs in Greek swine has been poorly investigated. In this study, we examined and compared haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titres against previously established IAVs and pH1N1 in 908 swine sera from 88 herds, collected before and after the 2009 pandemic. While we confirmed the historic presence of the three IAVs established in European swine, we also found that 4% of the pig sera examined after 2009 had HI antibodies only against the pH1N1 virus. Our results indicate that pH1N1 is circulating in Greek pigs and stress out the importance of a vigorous virological surveillance programme.     

Genetic diversity of H9N2 influenza viruses from pigs in China: a potential threat to human health?

Pandemic strains of influenza A virus might arise by genetic reassortment between viruses from different hosts. Pigs are susceptible to both human and avian influenza viruses and have been proposed to be intermediate hosts or mixing vessels, for the generation of pandemic influenza viruses through reassortment or adaptation to the mammalian host. In this study, we summarize and report for the first time the coexistence of 10 (A-J) genotypes in pigs in China by analyzing the eight genes of 28 swine H9N2 viruses isolated in China from 1998 to 2007. Swine H9N2 viruses in genotype A and B were completely derived from Y280-like and Shanghai/F/98-like viruses, respectively, which indicated avian-to-pig interspecies transmission of H9N2 viruses did exist in China. The other eight genotype (C-J) viruses might be double-reassortant viruses, in which six genotype (E-J) viruses possessed 1-4 H5-like gene segments indicating they were reassortants of H9 and H5 viruses. In conclusion, genetic diversity of H9N2 influenza viruses from pigs in China provides further evidence that avian to pig interspecies transmission of H9N2 viruses did occur and might result in the generation of new reassortant viruses by genetic reassortment with swine H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 influenza viruses, therefore, these swine H9N2 influenza viruses might be a potential threat to human health and continuing to carry out swine influenza virus surveillance in China is of great significance.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors for influenza A viruses in pigs in Peninsular Malaysia

Following a series of H5N1 cases in chickens and birds in a few states in Malaysia, there was much interest in the influenza A viruses subtypes that circulate among the local pig populations. Pigs may act as a mixing vessel for avian and mammal influenza viruses, resulting in new reassorted viruses. This study investigated the presence of antibodies against influenza H1N1 and H3N2 viruses in pigs from Peninsular Malaysia using Herdcheck Swine Influenza H1N1 and H3N2 Antibody Test Kits. At the same time, the presence of influenza virus was examined from the nasal swabs of seropositive pigs by virus isolation and real time RT-PCR. The list of pig farms was obtained from the headquarters of the Department of Veterinary Services, Malaysia, and pig herds were selected randomly from six of 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 727 serum and nasal swab samples were collected from 4- to 6-month-old pigs between May and August 2005. By ELISA, the seroprevalences of swine influenza H1N1 and H3N2 among pigs were 12.2% and 12.1% respectively. Seropositivity for either of the virus subtypes was detected in less than half of the 41 sampled farms (41.4%). Combination of both subtypes was detected in 4% of all pigs and in 22% of sampled farms. However, no virus or viral nucleic acid was detected from nasal samples. This study identified that the seropositivity of pigs to H1N1 and H3N2 based on ELISA was significantly associated with factors such as size of farm, importation or purchase of pigs, proximity of farm to other pig farms and the presence of mammalian pets within the farm.     

An immunoperoxidase monolayer assay for the detection of antibodies against swine influenza virus.

An immunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA) has been developed to detect antibodies against swine influenza A virus (SIV) in pig sera. The test was evaluated by using sequential sera from pigs experimentally infected with H1N1 subtype of SIV. Two hundred field serum samples that had been examined by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test were also tested. Antibodies specific to SIV were detected as early as 3 days postinoculation (dpi) in the IPMA test as compared with 7 dpi by the HI test. Unlike HI, no serum treatment was required in the IPMA test. Regardless of the virus used in the test, IPMA detected antibodies to both H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes of SIV whereas HI detects antibodies against either H1N1 or H3N2, depending upon the virus used in the test. Results of this study indicate that IPMA is a useful test for screening of pig sera for SIV antibodies.     

Serological evidence for exposure to avian influenza viruses within poultry workers in southern China

The risk of infection with avian influenza viruses for poultry workers is relatively unknown in China, and study results are often biased by the notification of only the severe human cases. Protein microarray was used to detect binding antibodies to 13 different haemagglutinin (HA1‐part) antigens of avian influenza A(H5N1), A(H7N7), A(H7N9) and A(H9N2) viruses, in serum samples from poultry workers and healthy blood donors collected in the course of 3 years in Guangdong Province, China. Significantly higher antibody titre levels were detected in poultry workers when compared to blood donors for the most recent H5 and H9 strains tested. These differences were most pronounced in younger age groups for antigens from older strains, but were observed in all age groups for the recent H5 and H9 antigens. For the H7 strains tested, only poultry workers from two retail live poultry markets had significantly higher antibody titres compared to blood donors.     

Evidence of the concurrent circulation of H1N2, H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses in densely populated pig areas in Spain

This paper reports on a serological and virological survey for swine influenza virus (SIV) in densely populated pig areas in Spain. The survey was undertaken to examine whether the H1N2 SIV subtype circulates in pigs in these areas, as in other European regions. Six hundred sow sera from 100 unvaccinated breeding herds across Northern and Eastern Spain were examined using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests against H1N1, H3N2 and H1N2 SIV subtypes. Additionally, 225 lung samples from pigs with respiratory problems were examined for the presence of SIV by virus isolation in embryonated chicken eggs and by a commercial membrane immunoassay. The virus isolates were further identified by HI and RT-PCR followed by partial cDNA sequencing. The HI test on sera revealed the presence of antibodies against at least one of the SIV subtypes in 83% of the herds and in 76.3% of the animals studied. Of the 600 sow sera tested, 109 (18.2%), 60 (10%) and 41 (6.8%) had SIV antibodies to subtype H1N2 alone, H3N2 alone and H1N1 alone, respectively. Twelve H3N2 viruses, 9 H1N1 viruses and 1 H1N2 virus were isolated from the lungs of pigs with respiratory problems. The analysis of a 436 nucleotide sequence of the neuraminidase gene from the H1N2 strain isolated further confirmed its identity. Demonstrably, swine influenza is still endemic in the studied swine population and a new subtype, the H1N2, may be becoming established and involved in clinical outbreaks of the disease in Spain.     

Serological Surveillance of Influenza A Virus Infection in Swine Populations in Fujian Province,China: No Evidence of Naturally Occurring H5N1 Infection in Pigs

Several highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses were isolated from swine populations in Fujian Province, China, since 2001. Because it is thought that H5N1 infection in pigs might result in virus adaptation to humans, we surveyed swine populations in Fujian Province in 2004 and 2007 for serological evidence of the infection. Twenty‐five pig farms covering all nine administrative districts of Fujian Province were sampled and a total of 1407 serum specimens were collected. The haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests revealed no evidence of H5 infection and only a few cases of H9 infection. The negative results for H5 infection were further verified by micro‐neutralization tests. By contrast, H1 influenza virus infections were prevalent in swine in both surveys according to the results of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The H3 infection rate was reduced dramatically in 2007 compared with 2004, when examined by HI and ELISA. In summary, the results imply that the swine populations in Fujian Province had not been affected greatly by the H5N1 avian influenza virus, given that there is no serological evidence that H5N1 influenza virus has infected the pig populations. The reported isolates represent only sporadic cases.     

Genetic characterization of H7N2 influenza virus isolated from pigs

Because pigs have respiratory epitheliums which express both α2-3 and α2-6 linked sialic acid as receptors to influenza A viruses, they are regarded as mixing vessel for the generation of pandemic influenza viruses through genetic reassortment. A H7N2 influenza virus (A/swine/KU/16/2001) was isolated from pig lungs collected from the slaughterhouse. All eight genes of the influenza virus were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis indicated that A/swine/KU/16/2001 originated in Hong Kong and genetic reassortment had occurred between the avian H7N2 and H5N3 influenza viruses. The first isolation of H7 influenza virus in pigs provides the opportunity for genetic reassortment of influenza viruses with pandemic potential and emphasizes the importance of surveillance for atypical swine influenza viruses.     

Evaluation of Nobuto filter paper strips for the detection of avian influenza virus antibody in waterfowl

The utility of using Nobuto paper strips for the detection of avian influenza antibodies was examined in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) experimentally infected with low pathogenic avian influenza viruses. Blood was collected 2 wk after infection and was preserved either as serum or whole blood absorbed onto Nobuto strips. Analysis of samples using a commercially available blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed comparable results (> or = 96% sensitivity for all methods) between sera stored at -30 C and the Nobuto strip preservation method even when the Nobuto strips were stored up to 3 mo at room temperature (RT). Significant differences were detected in the ratio of sample absorbance to negative control absorbance for Nobuto strips stored at RT compared with sera stored at -30 C, although these differences did not affect the ability of the test to reliably detect positive and negative samples. Nobuto strips are a convenient and sensitive alternative to the collection of serum samples when maintaining appropriate storage temperatures is difficult.     

Serological evidence of avian influenza virus and canine influenza virus infections among stray cats in live poultry markets,China

From January 2010 to January 2012, we collected sera samples from 700 stray cats living in close proximity to poultry farms or poultry markets in 4 provinces in China. A number of cats had evidence of avian and canine influenza virus infection: avian H9N2 [24 by HI ≥1:20 and 16 by microneutralization (MN) assay ≥1:80]; avian H5N1 (9 by HI ≥1:20 and 3 by MN assay ≥1:80) and canine H3N2 (32 by HI ≥1:20 and 18 by MN ≥1:80). Bivariate analyses revealed that cats sampled near live poultry markets and cats with influenza-like-illness were at increased risk of having elevated antibody titers by HI against avian H9N2, avian H5N1, or canine H3N2 viruses. Hence, cats may play a very important role in the ecology of novel influenza viruses and periodic epidemiological surveillance for novel influenza infections among stray cats could serve as an early warning system for human threats.     

H5、H7和H9亚型禽流感病毒四重荧光RT-PCR检测方法的建立与应用

旨在提高对禽流感病毒（avian influenza virus，AIV）检测效率，及时发现疫病。本研究通过分析M基因以及H5、H7和H9亚型的HA基因序列保守区域，设计并合成了相关探针和引物，建立了禽流感病毒（AIV）四重荧光RT-PCR检测方法，该方法可在检测禽流感病毒（AIV）的同时，确定病原是否为H5、H7和H9亚型。结果显示，该检测方法耗时短、特异性好、检测下限达到10^-5 ng·μL^-1。采用该方法检测临床采集的13个活禽交易市场的384份禽咽喉和泄殖腔双拭子样品，经检测，其中有60份样品为流感病毒阳性，且全部是H9亚型，该结果与行业标准方法（NY/T 772—2013）检测结果一致，κ值为1（P<0.001）。本方法能实现对禽流感病毒及H5、H7和H9亚型的高通量快速检测，将在AIV快速检测中发挥重要作用。     

Serological and virological surveillance of swine H1N1 and H3N2 influenza virus infection in two farms located in Hubei province, central China

Swine influenza viruses H1N1 and H3N2 have been reported in the swine population worldwide. From June 2008 to June 2009, we carried out serological and virological surveillance of swine influenza in the Hubei province in central China. The serological results indicated that antibodies to H1N1 swine influenza virus in the swine population were high with a 42.5% (204/480) positive rate, whereas antibodies to H3N2 swine influenza virus were low with a 7.9% (38/480) positive rate. Virological surveillance showed that only one sample from weanling pigs was positive by RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes revealed that the A/Sw/HB/S1/2009 isolate was closely related to avian-like H1N1 viruses and seemed to be derived from the European swine H1N1 viruses. In conclusion, H1N1 influenza viruses were more dominant in the pig population than H3N2 influenza viruses in central China, and infection with avian-like H1N1 viruses persistently emerged in the swine population in the area.     

H5N1和H9N2亚型禽流感病毒型特异性抗原捕捉ELISA检测方法的建立

采用禽流感病毒多克隆抗体及型特异性单克隆抗体，研究建立了型特异性抗原捕捉ELISA检测方法，用于检测H5N1和H9N2亚型禽流感病毒。优化了反应条件，确定了包被抗体、检测抗体及酶结合物的最佳工作浓度，对该方法的敏感性、特异性、重复性及稳定性进行了分析，并与病毒分离鉴定的结果进行了比较。结果表明，该方法敏感、特异，具有良好的重复性和稳定性，可用于临床样品及鸡胚、细胞培养物中禽流感病毒的检测。     

The prevalence of antibodies to influenza virus and respiratory coronavirus in fattening pigs in Spain

The presence of antibodies to two influenza viruses of the type A (H1N1 and H3N2) and to a porcine respiratory coronavirus was investigated in a study lasting a year. 735 blood serum samples were collected from 79 closed pig fattening farms in the province Segovia (Spain). Hemagglutination inhibition was used with influenza viruses. The percentage of positive results was 78.5% and 62.5% respectively for the serotypes H1N1 and H3N2. A clear reduction in the spread of antibodies was observed in the autumn. The ELISA technique was used with the porcine respiratory coronavirus. As antigen we used the antigenically related transmissible porcine gastroenteritis virus. Using this technique 87% of the sera were positive. Some of these sera with representative ELISA values were confirmed by means of serum neutralisation and radioimmune precipitation of the viral proteins. The incidence of these antibodies remained unchanged over the whole year of the investigation.     

Detection of antibodies in serum and egg yolk following infection of chickens with an H6N2 avian influenza virus.

Active serologic surveillance programs to detect avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in table egg-laying chickens have been initiated by several states as a response to the economic threat posed by these viruses. Most outbreaks of avian influenza in domestic poultry are caused by mildly pathogenic AIVs. In the study reported here, infection by an H6N2 AIV was used as a model of mildly pathogenic AIV infections in egg-type chickens. The total number of eggs laid by 5 control hens was 619 or 0.904 eggs/day/hen, whereas the total number laid by 10 infected hens was 1,018 or 0.743 eggs/day/hen. The difference in egg production between the 2 groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.38). Anti-influenza antibodies were monitored by use of an agar gel immunodiffusion test and an ELISA for a period of 20 weeks after inoculation. Antibodies in serum developed sooner, peaked at higher levels, and remained at higher levels than did antibodies found in egg yolk, as indicated by ELISA results. For infected chickens, the correlation between serum and egg yolk ratios was 0.66. Serum samples would appear to be preferable to egg yolk samples for surveillance programs intended to identify chicken flocks that may have been infected by an AIV weeks or months before samples are collected.