Antigenic variation among equine H 3 N 8 influenza virus hemagglutinins

To provide information on the antigenic variation of the hemagglutinins (HA) among equine H 3 influenza viruses, 26 strains isolated from horses in different areas in the world during the 1963-1996 period were analyzed using a panel of monoclonal antibodies recognizing at least 7 distinct epitopes on the H 3 HA molecule of the prototype strain A/equine/Miami/1/63 (H 3 N 8). The reactivity patterns of the virus strains with the panel indicate that antigenic drift of the HA has occurred with the year of isolation, but less extensively than that of human H 3 N 2 influenza virus isolates, and different antigenic variants co-circulate. To assess immunogenicity of the viruses, antisera from mice vaccinated with each of the 7 representative inactivated viruses were examined by neutralization and hemagglutination-inhibition tests. These results emphasize the importance of monitoring the antigenic drift in equine influenza virus strains and to introduce current isolates into vaccine. On the basis of the present results, equine influenza vaccine strain A/equine/Tokyo/2/71 (H 3 N 8) was replaced with A/equine/La Plata/1/93 (H 3 N 8) in 1996 in Japan. The present results of the antigenic analysis of the 26 strains supported the results of a phylogenetic analysis, that viruses belonging to each of the Eurasian and American equine influenza lineages have independently evolved. However, the current vaccine in Japan consists of two American H 3 N 8 strains; A/equine/Kentucky/1/81 and A/equine/La Plata/1/93. It is also therefore recommended that a representative Eurasian strain should be included as a replacement of A/equine/Kentucky/1/81.     

1株H3N8亚型马流感病毒的分离鉴定及全基因进化分析

2013年8月某养马厂出现疑似马流感疫情,经分离鉴定为H3N8亚型马流感病毒。为了了解该H3N8马流感分离株(A/equine/Xuzhou/01/2013(H3N8))的基因进化情况,本试验比较了该病毒株,我国已报道的H3N8马流感毒株以及目前全球所使用的疫苗株的病毒基因型,也比较了与抗原性相关的氨基酸的变化情况,为科学防控马流感提供参考依据。采集病死马的内脏样本,进行了A型禽流感病毒通用荧光RT-PCR检测,将荧光RT-PCR检测阳性样品处理后接种鸡胚尿囊腔,检测分离毒尿囊液血凝性及HA效价。参照已发表的扩增H3N8马流感病毒全基因引物,经RT-PCR扩增出该H3N8亚型马流感病毒(A/equine/Xuzhou/01/2013(H3N8))的8个基因片段,对其测序构建基因进化树,并进行分子特征分析。经过比较分析,该病毒株的HA基因在遗传进化上属于佛罗里达Ⅱ型马流感病毒,其余7个片段都属于马流感病毒中的美洲型。在5个公认的抗原位点中,A/equine/Xuzhou/01/2013与我国2007年的分离株(A/donkey/Xinjiang/2007),目前的疫苗株(Miami/63,Kentucky/81,Suffolk/89,Newmarket/2/93和Avesta/93)相比均发生了一些位点的变异。我国H3N8亚型马流感病毒存在抗原变异,需要进一步对其致病性、免疫原性等特性进行研究,同时还需加强马流感病毒分子流行病学监测。     

Isolation and characterisation of equine influenza viruses (H3N8) from Europe and North America from 2008 to 2009

Like other influenza A viruses, equine influenza virus undergoes antigenic drift. It is therefore essential that surveillance is carried out to ensure that recommended strains for inclusion in vaccines are kept up to date. Here we report antigenic and genetic characterisation carried out on equine influenza virus strains isolated in North America and Europe over a 2-year period from 2008 to 2009. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from equines showing acute clinical signs and submitted to diagnostic laboratories for testing and virus isolation in eggs. The sequence of the HA1 portion of the viral haemagglutinin was determined for each strain. Where possible, sequence was determined directly from swab material as well as from virus isolated in eggs. In Europe, 20 viruses were isolated from 15 sporadic outbreaks and 5 viruses were isolated from North America. All of the European and North American viruses were characterised as members of the Florida sublineage, with similarity to A/eq/Lincolnshire/1/07 (clade 1) or A/eq/Richmond/1/07 (clade 2). Antigenic characterisation by haemagglutination inhibition assay indicated that the two clades could be readily distinguished and there were also at least seven amino acid differences between them. The selection of vaccine strains for 2010 by the expert surveillance panel have taken these differences into account and it is now recommended that representatives of both Florida clade 1 and clade 2 are included in vaccines.     

Diagnosis of equine influenza virus infections in quarantine stations in Australia, 2007

In August 2007, several horses showed pyrexia and respiratory signs while in post-arrival quarantine in Australia. Subsequent investigations diagnosed equine influenza by serology and PCR in two quarantine stations. A common origin in a shipment of horses from Japan was indicated.     

Molecular changes associated with adaptation of equine influenza H3N8 virus in embryonated chicken eggs

Embryonated chicken eggs (ECEs) are routinely used to isolate equine influenza virus. Propagation of the virus in ECEs results in selection of variants. In the present study, we determined nucleotide sequences of entire coding regions of parent A/equine/Tottori/1/07 (H3N8) and its derivatives that have different passage histories in ECE. After 12 passages, nucleotide sequence analysis predicted 3 amino acid substitutions in hemagglutinin (HA; 2 in HA1 and 1 in HA2). The two amino acid substitutions in HA1 were located in the vicinity of the cell receptor-binding site. Three other amino acid substitutions were predicted in internal proteins, 1 in the M1, 1 in the NP and 1 in the PA. This is the first report showing mutations in the internal protein genes of equine influenza virus associated with adaptation to ECE.     

Antigenic and genetic variations in European and North American equine influenza virus strains (H3N8) isolated from 2006 to 2007

Equine influenza virus (EIV) surveillance is important in the management of equine influenza. It provides data on circulating and newly emerging strains for vaccine strain selection. To this end, antigenic characterisation by haemaggluttination inhibition (HI) assay and phylogenetic analysis was carried out on 28 EIV strains isolated in North America and Europe during 2006 and 2007. In the UK, 20 viruses were isolated from 28 nasopharyngeal swabs that tested positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All except two of the UK viruses were characterised as members of the Florida sublineage with similarity to A/eq/Newmarket/5/03 (clade 2). One isolate, A/eq/Cheshire/1/06, was characterised as an American lineage strain similar to viruses isolated up to 10 years earlier. A second isolate, A/eq/Lincolnshire/1/07 was characterised as a member of the Florida sublineage (clade 1) with similarity to A/eq/Wisconsin/03. Furthermore, A/eq/Lincolnshire/1/06 was a member of the Florida sublineage (clade 2) by haemagglutinin (HA) gene sequence, but appeared to be a member of the Eurasian lineage by the non-structural gene (NS) sequence suggesting that reassortment had occurred. A/eq/Switzerland/P112/07 was characterised as a member of the Eurasian lineage, the first time since 2005 that isolation of a virus from this lineage has been reported. Seven viruses from North America were classified as members of the Florida sublineage (clade 1), similar to A/eq/Wisconsin/03. In conclusion, a variety of antigenically distinct EIVs continue to circulate worldwide. Florida sublineage clade 1 viruses appear to predominate in North America, clade 2 viruses in Europe.     

H3N2亚型犬流感病毒的分离鉴定

为了解广州地区犬流感的流行情况,本研究采集107份犬鼻咽拭子样品和58份血清样品,SPF鸡胚分离病毒并进行抗体检测。结果显示:分离获得3株H3N2亚型犬流感病毒。分离株的EID50为10-2.42/0.1 mL～10-3.5/0.1 mL;MDT为177.6 h～192 h;对乙醚、氯仿、酸和温度均敏感;对血凝素为热不稳定型;能够凝集公鸡、豚鼠、猪和牛的红细胞。     

Effect of influenza A/equine/H3N8 virus isolate variation on the measurement of equine antibody responses.

This study has tested the effect of using homologous or heterologous equine influenza A virus isolates to evaluate serum antibody levels to influenza A virus in vaccinated and naturally-infected horses. In addition, the potential effect of antigenic selection of virus variants in egg versus tissue culture propagation systems was studied. Serum antibody levels in samples from horses recently infected with a local influenza A virus isolate (A/equine 2/Saskatoon/1/90) or recently vaccinated with a prototype isolate (A/equine 2/Miami/1/63) were assessed by hemagglutination inhibition and by single radial hemolysis using cell or egg-propagated A/equine 2/Saskatoon/1/90, A/equine 2/Miami/1/63 or A/equine 2/Fontainebleau/1/79. There were no significant differences in hemagglutination inhibition or single radial hemolysis antibody levels obtained with homologous or heterologous isolates or between viruses propagated in either eggs or cell culture. However there was a trend to higher titers in the hemagglutination inhibition assay when cell-propagated virus was used. These results suggest that antigenic variation in equine influenza A virus isolates and host-cell selection of antigenic variants during virus propagation may not be of sufficient magnitude to influence serological evaluation of antibody responses by hemagglutination inhibition or single radial hemolysis.     

H3N8亚型马流感病毒间接ELISA抗体检测方法建立及应用

为建立马流感血清学ELISA诊断方法,本研究以马流感病毒中国分离株A/马/新疆/07(H3N8)通过SPF鸡胚培养和增殖,收取含病毒尿囊液经蔗糖密度梯度离心纯化后作为ELISA包被抗原,首次在我国建立了检测H3N8亚型马流感抗体的间接ELISA诊断方法。试验的最佳反应条件为:最佳抗原稀释度7μg/mL,封闭液5%脱脂乳,血清稀释度1∶100,二抗稀释度1∶10000,稀释液PBS(pH7.4),血清反应时间1.5h,二抗反应时间1h。通过本方法对555份临床样品进行检测并与血凝抑制(HI)试验检测结果比较,证明本方法特异、敏感,具有良好的稳定性和可重复性,适于马流感的流行病学调查和监测工作。     

广东1株H3N2亚型犬流感病毒的分离与鉴定

本试验采集一只具有流感临床症状的病犬鼻咽拭子经常规处理后接种SPF鸡胚,分离到一株流感病毒,并对其进行鉴定及生物学特性研究。结果表明,该毒株对1%鸡红细胞的血凝价为26,能被H3亚型流感病毒阳性血清中和,与H1、H5、H7、H9亚型阳性血清和阴性血清无交叉反应。序列分析显示,该毒株的HA和NA基因核苷酸序列分别与犬流感病毒(CIV)H3和N2亚型的病毒株同源性最高。确定该毒株为H3N2亚型CIV,并将其命名为A/canine/Guangdong/01/2011。     

Pathological changes in horses dying with equine influenza in Australia, 2007

Analysis of pathology results from the 2007 equine influenza (EI) outbreak in Australia indicate that young foals in na?ve horse populations are prone to developing broncho-interstitial pneumonia, and that this can be a rare manifestation of EI virus infection in mature horses. All horses may develop secondary bacterial bronchopneumonia, with mature horses more likely to die. EI outbreaks among heavily pregnant mares can result in increased neonatal losses because of premature placental separation and dystocia causing fetal hypoxia.     

Efficacy of a recombinant equine influenza vaccine against challenge with an American lineage H3N8 influenza virus responsible for the 2003 outbreak in the United Kingdom

Fifteen influenza-naive Welsh mountain ponies were randomly assigned to three groups of five. A single dose of a recombinant ALVAC vaccine was administered intramuscularly to five of the ponies, two doses, administered five weeks apart, were administered to five, and the other five served as unvaccinated, challenge controls. Two weeks after the completion of the vaccination programme, the ponies were all challenged by exposure to an aerosol of influenza virus A/eq/Newmarket/5/03. Their clinical signs were scored daily for 14 days according to a standardised scoring protocol, and nasal swabs were taken daily for 10 days to monitor the excretion of virus. The challenge produced severe clinical signs of influenza (fever, coughing, nasal discharge and dyspnoea) in all five control ponies, but the vaccinated ponies developed only mild disease, consisting of a serous nasal discharge lasting for only one day. The excretion of virus was almost completely suppressed in the vaccinated ponies, but the control ponies shed the virus for up to seven days after the challenge.     

新疆地区一株马流感病毒的分离及鉴定

2007年10月,我国新疆维吾尔自治区阿勒泰地区富蕴县发现马匹出现呼吸道疾病,发病马表现出典型的流行性感冒症状。经过临床诊断、病原分离、电镜观察以及病毒基因序列分析,确定病原为马流行性感冒病毒,属于H3N8亚型,该株病毒与近年来马流行性感冒病毒北美洲流行株的同源性较高,命名为A／equine／xinjiangFuyun／3／2007（H3N8）。     

Significant features of the epidemiology of equine influenza in Queensland, Australia, 2007

An outbreak of equine influenza (EI) caused by influenza A H3N8 subtype virus occurred in the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales in August 2007. Infection in the Australian horse population was associated with the introduction of infection by horses from overseas. The first case of EI in Queensland was detected on 25 August 2007 at an equestrian sporting event. Infection subsequently spread locally and to other clusters through horse movements prior to the implementation of an official standstill. There were five main clusters of infected properties during this outbreak and several outliers, which were investigated to find the potential mechanism of disease spread. To contain the outbreak, Queensland was divided into infection status zones, with different movement controls applied to each zone. Vaccination was implemented strategically in infected areas and within horse subpopulations. Control and eventual eradication of EI from Queensland was achieved through a combination of quarantine, biosecurity measures, movement control, rapid diagnostic testing and vaccination.     

Interspecies transmission of equine influenza virus (H3N8) to dogs by close contact with experimentally infected horses

In horse populations, influenza A virus subtype H3N8 (equine influenza virus, EIV) is a very important pathogen that leads to acute respiratory disease. Recently, EIV has emerged in dogs, and has become widespread among the canine population in the United States. The interspecies transmission route had thus far remained unclear. Here, we tested whether the interspecies transmission of EIV to dogs could occur as a result of close contact with experimentally EIV-infected horses. Three pairs consisting of an EIV-infected horse and a healthy dog were kept together in individual stalls for 15 consecutive days. A subsequent hemagglutination inhibition test revealed that all three dogs exhibited seroconversion. Moreover, two of the three dogs exhibited virus shedding. However, the dogs exhibited no clinical signs throughout the course of the study. These data suggest that the interspecies transmission of EIV to dogs could occur as a result of close contact with EIV-infected horses without clinical symptoms. Although the interspecies transmission of EIV is unlikely to become an immediate threat to canine hygiene, close contact between EIV-infected horses and dogs should be avoided during an EI epidemic.     

2007年华北地区H3N8亚型马流感病毒的分离与鉴定

2007年10月,华北地区某赛马场的马同时发生了以发烧、流水样鼻汁或脓性分泌物、咳嗽等临床症状为主的疾病,疑似马流行性感冒。采集患病赛马的鼻腔分泌物,发病期和发病后14d血清,经鸡胚接种法分离病毒,并用鸡红细胞血凝抑制试验(HI)、神经氨酸酶抑制试验(NI)、病毒回归试验、血清学检测和基因序列分析对分离的病毒进行了系统鉴定。结果表明分离的毒株(A/equine/Huabei/1/2007(H3N8)为马源H3N8亚型马流感病毒,基因型属于美洲分支。我们通过动物回归感染试验建立起分离毒株的实验感染模型。