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.     

Pathology in dogs with experimental canine H3N2 influenza virus infection

Avian-lineage H3N2 canine influenza virus (CIV)-associated respiratory disease, which can be fatal, emerged in South Korean dogs in 2007. We show here that dogs experimentally infected with CIV only developed respiratory tract diseases, as no extrapulmonary lesions and virus antigens were detected. This differs from the multiorgan diseases that avian influenza H5N1 induces in small experimental animals. However, the CIV-infected dogs developed a distinctively severe, long-persistent bronchointerstitial pneumonia, which differs from the acute but short-term bronchopneumonia that human (H1N1 and H3N2) influenza cause in rodents and ferrets. Histopathology and in situ TUNEL assays revealed that the neutrophils infiltrating the lesions were undergoing apoptosis, which probably reflects the attempts by the body to maintain appropriate numbers of neutrophils for defense against secondary bacterial infections. Our observations suggest that neutrophils along with the related chemoattractant cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-8, etc.) may play a key role in the pathogenesis of H3N2 CIV in dogs.     

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.     

Different infection routes of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in mice

The continuing outbreaks of avian influenza A H5N1 virus infection in Asia and Africa have caused worldwide concern because of the high mortality rates in poultry, suggesting its potential to become a pandemic influenza virus in humans. The transmission route of the virus among either the same species or different species is not yet clear. Broilers and BABL/c mice were inoculated with the H5N1 strain of influenza A virus isolated from birds. The animals were inoculated with 0.1 mL 10^6.83 TCID₅₀ of H5N1 virus oronasally, intraperitoneally and using eye drops. The viruses were examined by virological and pathological assays. In addition, to detect horizontal transmission, in each group, healthy chicks and mice were mixed with those infected. Viruses were detected in homogenates of the heart, liver, spleen, kidney and blood of the infected mice and chickens. Virus antigen was not detected in the spleen, kidney or gastrointestinal tract, but detected by Plaque Forming Unit (PFU) assay in the brain, liver and lung without degenerative change in these organs (in the group inoculated using eye drops. The detection results for mice inoculated using eye drops suggest that this virus might have a different tissue tropism from other influenza viruses mainly restricted to the respiratory tract in mice. All chicken samples tested positive for the virus, regardless of the method of inoculation. Avian influenza A H5N1 viruses are highly pathogenic to chickens, but its virulence in other animals is not yet known. To sum up, the results suggest that the virus replicates not only in different animal species but also through different routes of infection. In addition, the virus was detection not only in the respiratory tract but also in multiple extra‐respiratory tissues. This study demonstrates that H5N1 virus infection in mice can cause systemic disease and spread through potentially novel routes within and between mammalian hosts.     

H3N2犬流感病毒M1蛋白的原核表达及鉴定

为制备犬流感病毒(H3N2) M1蛋白纯品,针对M1基因序列设计引物,用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)扩增目的基因片段,扩增产物克隆至表达载体pET-SUMO中并转化至宿主菌BL21(DE3),诱导表达目的蛋白,探索纯化工艺,制备目的蛋白,并用Western blot检测纯化的M1目的蛋白。通过PCR成功扩增出大小为771 bp的M1基因,成功构建p ET-SUMO-M1表达载体,表达的融合蛋白相对分子量为41 kD,主要以可溶形式表达,纯化后获得蛋白纯品,Western blot检测显示用M1蛋白(28 k D)免疫小鼠制备的多抗能与制备的蛋白纯品发生特异性反应,从而证明蛋白纯品为M1目的蛋白。试验制备出的M1蛋白纯品可为进一步制备通用型抗犬流感病毒抗体提供纯品抗原。     

Experimental infection with H1N1 European swine influenza virus protects pigs from an infection with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 human influenza virus

The recent pandemic caused by human influenza virus A(H1N1) 2009 contains ancestral gene segments from North American and Eurasian swine lineages as well as from avian and human influenza lineages. The emergence of this A(H1N1) 2009 poses a potential global threat for human health and the fact that it can infect other species, like pigs, favours a possible encounter with other influenza viruses circulating in swine herds. In Europe, H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 subtypes of swine influenza virus currently have a high prevalence in commercial farms. To better assess the risk posed by the A(H1N1) 2009 in the actual situation of swine farms, we sought to analyze whether a previous infection with a circulating European avian-like swine A/Swine/Spain/53207/2004 (H1N1) influenza virus (hereafter referred to as SwH1N1) generated or not cross-protective immunity against a subsequent infection with the new human pandemic A/Catalonia/63/2009 (H1N1) influenza virus (hereafter referred to as pH1N1) 21 days apart. Pigs infected only with pH1N1 had mild to moderate pathological findings, consisting on broncho-interstitial pneumonia. However, pigs inoculated with SwH1N1 virus and subsequently infected with pH1N1 had very mild lung lesions, apparently attributed to the remaining lesions caused by SwH1N1 infection. These later pigs also exhibited boosted levels of specific antibodies. Finally, animals firstly infected with SwH1N1 virus and latter infected with pH1N1 exhibited undetectable viral RNA load in nasal swabs and lungs after challenge with pH1N1, indicating a cross-protective effect between both strains.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors for canine H3N8 influenza virus exposure in household dogs in Colorado

Background: Since 2004, canine influenza virus (CIV) has spread throughout the United States. While studies suggest that CIV is commonly detected in shelter dogs, little is known about its prevalence in household dogs. Objectives: To evaluate the seroprevalence of CIV in pet dogs presented for care in a veterinary hospital in Colorado and to investigate risk factors that might predispose these dogs to CIV infection. Animals: One hundred and forty dogs presenting to the Community Practice service, 110 dogs seen at other clinical services at Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 2009, and samples from 75 dogs seen before 2004. Methods: In this prospective study, samples were tested with hemagglutination inhibition assays, using 3 CIV isolates. To identify risk factors for CIV infection, 140 owners completed questionnaires at time of sampling. Results: CIV seroprevalence was 2.9% (4/140) for dogs seen by the Community Practice service and 4.5% (5/110) for dogs seen by other hospital services (P= .48). All sera collected before 2004 tested negative for CIV. No differences were seen in antibody titers to the 3 CIV isolates tested. Data from the questionnaires indicated an association between CIV seropositivity and canine daycare visits (P < .001). Conclusion and Clinical Importance: CIV seropositivity in household dogs in Colorado is low, although it has increased since 2004. Antibody titers to the 3 CIV isolates were comparable, suggesting that measurable antigenic drift has not yet occurred. Finally, dogs boarded in kennels or attending daycare might be at an increased risk of CIV infection.     

H10亚型和N8亚型禽流感病毒三重RT-PCR检测方法的建立

根据基因库中H10亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)HA基因、N8亚型AIV NA基因和所有亚型AIV M基因序列,分别设计筛选出3对特异性引物,优化引物之间的浓度,建立了H10亚型和N8亚型AIV三重RT-PCR检测方法。该法对含有H10和N8亚型AIV的模板可特异性扩增出267 bp(H10亚型AIV)、464 bp(N8亚型AIV)和693 bp(AIV)目的条带,对H10亚型AIV扩增出267、693 bp目的条带,对N8亚型AIV扩增出464、693 bp目的条带,对其他亚型AIV仅扩增出693 bp目的条带,对常见禽病病原体均未扩增出任何条带。该法对H10亚型和N8亚型AIV检测下限为10~3拷贝/μL。120份临床样品检测结果与病毒分离鉴定一致。研究建立的H10亚型和N8亚型AIV三重RT-PCR检测方法特异性强、灵敏度高,为同时快速鉴别检测H10亚型和N8亚型AIV提供一种简便、快速和有效的方法。     

一株H5N3亚型禽流感病毒全基因组序列分析及其对小鼠的感染性研究

为了解H5N3亚型流感病毒的生物学特性,本研究对2017年浙江省分离到的一株H5N3亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)[DK/ZJ/S1368/2017(H5N3)]进行了遗传演化分析及小鼠感染性实验。遗传演化分析结果显示,该株病毒的HA蛋白裂解位点处仅含一个碱性氨基酸,属于低致病性AIV。同时,该病毒的血凝素(HA)基因与H5N7亚型流感病毒亲缘关系较近;聚合酶碱性蛋白2(PB2)基因和核蛋白(NP)基因与H10N7亚型流感病毒亲缘关系较近;碱性聚合酶蛋白1(PB1)基因与H1N1亚型流感病毒亲缘关系较近;酸性聚合酶蛋白(PA)基因与H6N2亚型流感病毒亲缘关系较近;神经氨酸酶(NA)基因与H10N3亚型流感病毒亲缘关系较近;基质蛋白(M)基因与H3N8亚型流感病毒亲缘关系较近;非结构蛋白(NS)基因与H1N1亚型流感病毒亲缘关系较近。表明其基因来源复杂。小鼠感染实验结果显示,该分离株无需提前适应即可以在小鼠肺脏和鼻甲中复制,小鼠感染病毒后无明显临床症状,与对照组相比其体质量变化不明显,表明该病毒对小鼠呈低致病性。本研究通过对该H5N3亚型AIV的生物学特性的分析,发现该病毒基因来源复杂,无需提前适应就可以在小鼠体内复制,具有感染哺乳动物的潜在威胁,提示应当持续加强对H5N3亚型AIV的监测和相关生物学特性的研究工作。     

H3N8亚型马流感病毒RT-LAMP检测方法的建立

为了建立检测H3N8亚型马流感病毒的RT-LAMP方法,根据H3N8亚型马流感病毒HA基因序列,设计了2对LAMP引物,经过优化反应条件,建立了RT-LAMP检测H3N8亚型马流感病毒方法。结果表明,RT-LAMP方法能够在63℃恒温条件下、75min内实现目的基因片段的大量特异性扩增,通过荧光显色就可直接用肉眼判断结果。对H7N7亚型马流感病毒、马动脉炎病毒、马鼻肺炎病毒的核酸无交叉反应,具有较好的特异性;方法的灵敏度比常规RT-PCR的高10倍;该方法操作简便快速、省时省力,而且灵敏度高、特异性强,对H3N8亚型马流感病毒的检测具有实际的应用价值。     

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。     

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.     

一株鸭源H8N4亚型禽流感病毒分离株的全基因组序列分析及致病性的研究

本研究对2012年从湖南活禽市场中分离到的一株鸭源H8N4亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)A/duck/HuN/S3160/2012(H8N4)进行全基因组序列和进化分析,并对其进行SPF鸡、SPF鸭和BALB/c小鼠的致病性试验.序列分析显示:HA裂解位点序列为339pSIEPK ↓ GLF347,为典型的低致病性AIV特征.内部基因来源较复杂,HuN/160/12的PB1、NS基因分别与A/spot-billed duck/Xianghai/427/2011 (H5N2)和A/wild bird/Korea/A81/2009(H5N2)的同源性最高,其余内部基因同源性最高的病毒株来自H2、H3、H4、H7、H10等亚型分离株,呈现明显的异源性.感染性试验结果显示,病毒在SPF鸭体内可以通过呼吸道和消化道向外排毒,并且能够在气管、肾脏、盲肠扁桃体及法氏囊检测到病毒,而不能在鸡体内有效复制及排毒.对小鼠的感染性试验结果显示,仅在鼻甲和肺检测到病毒存在,其他脏器病毒滴定结果为阴性,体重呈一过性下降,表明该病毒为低致病性AIV.     

野鸟源H5N8禽流感病毒遗传变异分析与致病性评估

本试验在野鸟禽流感病毒紧急疫情检测过程中鉴定并分离到1株H5N8高致病性禽流感病毒,利用病毒全基因组测序、系统发育及关键氨基酸位点分析解析了该野鸟源H5N8禽流感病毒分离株遗传进化情况,通过体外复制动力学试验及小鼠感染试验,评价了该野鸟源H5N8禽流感病毒分离株对哺乳动物致病性。进化分析显示,该病毒株属于Clade 2.3.4.4,可以不经适应直接感染小鼠并在呼吸系统内复制,表现出有限的组织嗜性,对小鼠呈低致病性。其在体内外复制能力较低。结果表明,本试验加深了对野生鸟携带H5N8禽流感病毒的认识和理解、对野鸟源H5N8禽流感病毒生物学特性的评价,为预测野鸟源H5N8禽流感病毒遗传进化趋势及其生物安全风险评估提供借鉴和参考。     

Isolation of avian influenza virus (H9N2) from emu in China

This is the first reported isolation of avian influenza virus (AIV) from emu in China. An outbreak of AIV infection occurred at an emu farm that housed 40 four-month-old birds. Various degrees of haemorrhage were discovered in the tissues of affected emus. Cell degeneration and necrosis were observed microscopically. Electron microscopy revealed round or oval virions with a diameter of 80 nm to 120 nm, surrounded by an envelope with spikes. The virus was classified as low pathogenic AIV (LPAIV), according to OIE standards. It was named A/Emu/HeNen/14/2004(H9N2)(Emu/HN/2004). The HA gene (1683bp) was amplified by RT-PCR and it was compared with other animal H9N2 AIV sequences in GenBank, the US National Institutes of Health genetic sequence database. The results suggested that Emu/HN/2004 may have come from an avian influenza virus (H9N2) from Southern China.     

Seroprevalence of canine influenza virus (H3N8) in Iditarod racing sled dogs

We conducted a cross-sectional convenience sampling study of dogs racing in the 2010 Iditarod to determine the seroprevalence of canine influenza virus (CIV) in the sled dog population. Questionnaires were completed detailing medical and CIV vaccination history, kennel size and location, travel history, and social interactions for each team. A total of 399 dogs were tested for CIV antibodies by hemagglutination inhibition assay. None of these, including 39 samples from dogs reported as CIV vaccinated, were seropositive for CIV antibodies. All of the vaccinated dogs were also negative on virus microneutralization assay. Risk factors for CIV seropositivity could not be determined due to a lack of positive samples. This is the first published study investigating the prevalence of CIV in sled dogs and additional studies are warranted to assess CIV infection among racing sled dogs and to evaluate the ecology of CIV and the vaccine efficacy in this population of dogs.     

Pathogenicity of H5N8 virus in chickens from Korea in 2014

In 2014, two genetically distinct H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses were isolated from poultry and wild birds in Korea. The intravenous pathogenicity indices for the two representative viruses were both 3.0. Mortality of chickens intranasally inoculated with the two H5N8 viruses was 100% with a mean death times of 2.5 and 4.5 days. Mortality rates of the contact groups for the two H5N8 viruses were 33.3% and 66.6%. Our study showed that transmissibility of the novel H5N8 viruses was different from that of previously identified H5N1 HPAI viruses, possibly due to genetic changes.     

Evolution of highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza viruses in Mexico

Highly pathogenic H7N3 influenza A viruses have persisted in poultry in Mexico since 2012, diversifying into multiple lineages that have spread to three Mexican states, as of 2016. The H7N3 viruses segregate into three distinct clades that are geographically structured. All 2016 viruses are resistant to adamantane antiviral drugs and have an extended 24‐nucleotide insertion at the HA cleavage site that was acquired from host 28S ribosomal RNA.     

H9N2亚型禽流感病毒人工感染蛋鸡的组织病理学研究

本研究用H9N2亚型禽流感病毒人工感染蛋鸡,对感染蛋鸡的组织病理学进行了观察,结果发现接毒后第3d,主要病理变化为全身各组织的广泛性充血、出血以及肝脏、肾脏的变性、坏死;肝、肾组织的Mann亚甲蓝伊红染色发现肝细胞、肾小管上皮细胞胞浆内有嗜酸性包涵体;红细胞凝集抑制试验(HI试验)检查结果表明鸡接毒3 d后,HI抗体开始呈上升趋势.