Abstract
Background and aim: The influenza viruses pose a threat of emergence of a global pandemic influenza through point mutation or reassortment, leading to a strain that can effectively transmit among humans. In this study, the authors present phylogenetic and genetic evidences for the interlineage reassortment among avian influenza viruses isolated in Kazakhstan in 2006 from a mute swan. Methods: This study demonstrates the dynamic nature of the influenza virus genes pool in Eurasia with continuing gene exchanges between the eastern and western parts of the continent. Results: The findings suggest that the H5N1 - like virus were likely derived directly from viruses resident in migratory birds. Conclusion: The failure to identify the source of all gene segments of A/mute swan/Aktau/1460/06 virus and its variant highlights the need of continued and extensive surveillance in both migratory and domestic populations of birds in large regions. Such surveillance is crucial for efficient pandemic influenza preparedness.
Highlights
In addition to antigenic drift (Alexander, 2007; Cox, 2000; Horimoto, 2005), caused by errors in viral replication and the antigenic pressure applied to the surface hemagglutinin and neuraminidase antigens by the immune response, the evolution of influenza virus is shaped by the reassortment process (Kaverin, 2010; Webster, 2004)
This study demonstrates the dynamic nature of the influenza virus genes pool in Eurasia with continuing gene exchanges between the eastern and western parts of the continent
The 29 previously described and selected by BLAST (>90% amino acid sequence similarity) sequences of influenza viruses were used for comparison with avian influenza strain isolated in Kazakhstan (Table 1)
Summary
In addition to antigenic drift (Alexander, 2007; Cox, 2000; Horimoto, 2005), caused by errors in viral replication and the antigenic pressure applied to the surface hemagglutinin and neuraminidase antigens by the immune response, the evolution of influenza virus is shaped by the reassortment process (Kaverin, 2010; Webster, 2004). Genetic reassortment among influenza viruses occurs naturally and plays the important role in viral epidemiology and pathogenicity (Horimoto, 2001). At least two of the major Influenza pandemics of the 20th century, H2N2 in 1957 and H3N2 in 1968, resulted from reassortments between viruses from two different hosts; avian and human (Forrest, 2010). Subsequent reassortment with H1N1 swine strain resulted in generation of triple reassorted swine A (H1N1) virus that caused the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic (Horimoto, 2001; Forrest, 2010). Study of natural reassortants of Journal of Virology & Microbiology 2 the influenza virus is important for epidemiology, diagnosis and vaccination of this infection. The authors present phylogenetic and genetic evidences for the interlineage reassortment among avian influenza viruses isolated in Kazakhstan in 2006 from a mute swan
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