Abstract
BackgroundThe H6N1 subtype of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) can infect people with an influenza-like illness; the H6N1 viruses possess the ability for zoonotic transmission from avians into mammals, and possibly pose a threat to human health.MethodsIn 2017, live poultry markets (LPMs) in Zhejiang Province were surveyed for AIVs. To better understand the genetic relationships between these strains from Eastern China and other AIVs, all gene segments of these strains were sequenced and compared with sequences available in GenBank. In this study, we analyzed the receptor-binding specificity, antigenic characteristics, and pathogenicity of these two H6N1 viruses.ResultsIn 2017, two H6N1 AIVs were isolated from chickens during surveillance for AIVs in LPMs in Eastern China. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these strains shared genetic characteristics from H6, H10, H1, and H4 AIVs found in ducks and wild birds in East Asia. These AIV strains were able to replicate in mice without prior adaptation.ConclusionsIn this study, we report the discovery of new strains of H6N1 viruses from chickens with novel gene reassortments. Our results suggest that these chickens play an important role generating novel reassortments in AIVs, and emphasize the need for continued surveillance of AIV strains circulating in poultry.
Highlights
The H6N1 subtype of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) can infect people with an influenza-like illness; the H6N1 viruses possess the ability for zoonotic transmission from avians into mammals, and possibly pose a threat to human health
Virus isolation Three strains of AIVs were isolated from 72 cloacal swab samples collected from chickens in a live poultry markets (LPMs) in the Yuhang district of Hangzhou City, the capital of Zhejiang Province, including one H9N2 and two H6N1 strains, ZJ-1664 and ZJ-1667
Phylogenetic analysis of the ZJ-1664 and ZJ-1667 H6N1 strains Phylogenetic analysis of all eight viral segments, Polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2), Polymerase basic protein 1 (PB1), Polymerase acidic protein (PA), HA, nucleocapsid protein (NP), NA, M, and nonstructural protein (NS), showed that the ZJ-1664 and ZJ-1667 strains clustered in the AIV Eurasian lineage, Fig. 1
Summary
The H6N1 subtype of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) can infect people with an influenza-like illness; the H6N1 viruses possess the ability for zoonotic transmission from avians into mammals, and possibly pose a threat to human health. Aquatic birds are considered a natural reservoir for avian influenza virus (AIV) [3]. In China, serological evidence has demonstrated human infection with H6 AIVs, as well as infection in other mammals [20]. Previous studies in Taiwan showed that the H6N1 subtype of low pathogenic AIVs can infect humans with an influenza-like illness [21, 22]. The human-infecting H6N1 virus possesses the ability to cross the species barrier to infect other mammals [23, 24], these results indicated that
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
