Published online before print February 27, 2012, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1116200109 PNAS February 27, 2012
A distinct lineage of influenza A virus from bats
Suxiang Tonga,1,
Yan Lia,
Pierre Rivaillerb,
Christina Conrardya,
Danilo A. Alvarez Castilloc,
Li-Mei Chenb,
Sergio Recuencod,
James A. Ellisond,
Charles T. Davisb,
Ian A. Yorkb,
Amy S. Turmelled,
David Moranc,
Shannon Rogersa,
Mang Shia,
Ying Taoa,
Michael R. Weile,
Kevin Tangf,
Lori A. Rowef,
Scott Sammonsf,
Xiyan Xub,
Michael Fracef,
Kim A. Lindbladeg,
Nancy J. Coxb,
Larry J. Andersona,
Charles E. Rupprechtd,1, and
Ruben O. Donisb,1
+ Author Affiliations
aDivision of Viral Diseases,
bInfluenza Division,
dDivision of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, and
fDivision of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333;
eEmory University, Atlanta, GA 30322;
cCenter for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, 01015, Guatemala City, Guatemala; and
gInternational Emerging Infections Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Regional Office for Central America and Panama, 01015, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Edited by Robert A. Lamb, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, and approved January 17, 2012 (received for review October 7, 2011)
Abstract
Influenza A virus reservoirs in animals have provided novel genetic elements leading to the emergence of global pandemics in humans. Most influenza A viruses circulate in waterfowl, but those that infect mammalian hosts are thought to pose the greatest risk for zoonotic spread to humans and the generation of pandemic or panzootic viruses. We have identified an influenza A virus from little yellow-shouldered bats captured at two locations in Guatemala. It is significantly divergent from known influenza A viruses. The HA of the bat virus was estimated to have diverged at roughly the same time as the known subtypes of HA and was designated as H17.
The neuraminidase (NA) gene is highly divergent from all known influenza NAs, and the internal genes from the bat virus diverged from those of known influenza A viruses before the estimated divergence of the known influenza A internal gene lineages.
Attempts to propagate this virus in cell cultures and chicken embryos were unsuccessful, suggesting distinct requirements compared with known influenza viruses.
Despite its divergence from known influenza A viruses, the bat virus is compatible for genetic exchange with human influenza viruses in human cells, suggesting the potential capability for reassortment and contributions to new pandemic or panzootic influenza A viruses.
A distinct lineage of influenza A virus from bats
Suxiang Tonga,1,
Yan Lia,
Pierre Rivaillerb,
Christina Conrardya,
Danilo A. Alvarez Castilloc,
Li-Mei Chenb,
Sergio Recuencod,
James A. Ellisond,
Charles T. Davisb,
Ian A. Yorkb,
Amy S. Turmelled,
David Moranc,
Shannon Rogersa,
Mang Shia,
Ying Taoa,
Michael R. Weile,
Kevin Tangf,
Lori A. Rowef,
Scott Sammonsf,
Xiyan Xub,
Michael Fracef,
Kim A. Lindbladeg,
Nancy J. Coxb,
Larry J. Andersona,
Charles E. Rupprechtd,1, and
Ruben O. Donisb,1
+ Author Affiliations
aDivision of Viral Diseases,
bInfluenza Division,
dDivision of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, and
fDivision of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333;
eEmory University, Atlanta, GA 30322;
cCenter for Health Studies, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, 01015, Guatemala City, Guatemala; and
gInternational Emerging Infections Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Regional Office for Central America and Panama, 01015, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Edited by Robert A. Lamb, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, and approved January 17, 2012 (received for review October 7, 2011)
Abstract
Influenza A virus reservoirs in animals have provided novel genetic elements leading to the emergence of global pandemics in humans. Most influenza A viruses circulate in waterfowl, but those that infect mammalian hosts are thought to pose the greatest risk for zoonotic spread to humans and the generation of pandemic or panzootic viruses. We have identified an influenza A virus from little yellow-shouldered bats captured at two locations in Guatemala. It is significantly divergent from known influenza A viruses. The HA of the bat virus was estimated to have diverged at roughly the same time as the known subtypes of HA and was designated as H17.
The neuraminidase (NA) gene is highly divergent from all known influenza NAs, and the internal genes from the bat virus diverged from those of known influenza A viruses before the estimated divergence of the known influenza A internal gene lineages.
Attempts to propagate this virus in cell cultures and chicken embryos were unsuccessful, suggesting distinct requirements compared with known influenza viruses.
Despite its divergence from known influenza A viruses, the bat virus is compatible for genetic exchange with human influenza viruses in human cells, suggesting the potential capability for reassortment and contributions to new pandemic or panzootic influenza A viruses.
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