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Published in: Virology Journal 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research

Isolation and characterization of novel reassortant H6N1 avian influenza viruses from chickens in Eastern China

Authors: Haibo Wu, Fan Yang, Fumin Liu, Rufeng Lu, Xiuming Peng, Bin Chen, Hangping Yao, Nanping Wu

Published in: Virology Journal | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

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.

Methods

In 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.

Results

In 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.

Conclusions

In 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.
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Metadata
Title
Isolation and characterization of novel reassortant H6N1 avian influenza viruses from chickens in Eastern China
Authors
Haibo Wu
Fan Yang
Fumin Liu
Rufeng Lu
Xiuming Peng
Bin Chen
Hangping Yao
Nanping Wu
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Virology Journal / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1743-422X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-018-1063-y

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