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Researchers' work from Japan, Germany and the United States adds to bird flu body of knowledge
Source: Virus Weekly via NewsRx.com
Indexing Date: 20/10/2006
Harvested Date: Oct 24 2006 10:15AM
2006 OCT 24 - (NewsRx.com) -- Bird flu data are the focus of recent research from Japan, Germany and the United States.
Study 1: The avian influenza virus A/chicken/Yamaguchi/7/04 (H5N1) strain is highly pathogenic to other birds.
According to recently published research from Japan, "Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been occurring in domestic poultry in Asia since 1996. In the beginning of 2004, HPAI outbreaks were caused by H5N1 virus in two farms and a group of pet chickens in different areas of Japan.".
"In the present study," wrote scientists, "the pathogenicity of A/chicken/Yamaguchi/7/04 (H5N1), which had been isolated from a dead chicken during the first outbreak in Japan, was assessed in chickens, quails, budgerigars, ducklings, mice, and miniature pigs by experimental infection.".
"The virus was highly pathogenic to all the birds tested," reported N. Isoda and colleagues at Hokkaido University.
The authors concluded, "Mice were susceptible to infection with a low mortality rate and miniature pigs were resistant to infection with the virus.".
Isoda and colleagues published their study in Archives of Virology (Pathogenicity of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, A/chicken/Yamaguchi/7/04 (H5N1) in different species of birds and mammals. Arch Virol, 2006;151(7):1267-1279).
For more information, contact H. Kida, Hokkaido University, Graduate School Vet. Medical, Dept. of Diseases Control, Microbiology Laboratory, Sapporo, Hokkaido 0600818, Japan.
Study 2: Measures for control and eradication of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Germany and in the European Community are examined in a recent issue of Berliner und Munchener Tierarztliche Wochenschrift.
According to the report from Germany, "The huge potential economic impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) substantiates specific and rigorous legal regulations worldwide. According to the O.I.E. Terrestrial Animal Health Code, fowl plague is a notifiable disease. International trading activities concerning poultry and poultry products originating from countries with active HPAI are rigorously restricted.
"In EU member states directive 92/40/EEC subsumes measures against fowl plague and has been transferred into German legislation by the 'Geflugelpest-Verordnung.' These acts specify that vaccination against HPAI is principally prohibited.".
"The aim of all sanctions is the extinction of disease and the eradication of the causative agent," said O. Werner and T. Harder at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut. "However, HPAI viruses, exclusively belonging to subtypes H5 and H7, can re-emerge de novo from progenitor viruses of low pathogenicity which are perpetuated in the wild bird population. An outbreak of HPAI requires prompt action by a stamping out strategy. Fast and accurate diagnosis, a strict stand-still and the culling of affected flocks are at the basis of success.".
Werner and Harder stated, "In areas with a high density of poultry holdings pre-emptive culling and creation of buffer zones, devoid of susceptible poultry, may be necessary. In these cases emergency vaccinations can be considered as a supportive measure in order to limit mass culling. Vaccinations on merely prophylactic grounds, not being connected to acute outbreaks, should be avoided because of selective pressures on the virus leading to antigenic drift and escape of vaccine-induced immunity. Instead, high standard biosecurity measures, particularly limiting direct and indirect contacts with wild birds, should be maintained.".
Werner and Harder published their report in Berliner und Munchener Tierarztliche Wochenschrift (Measures for control and eradication of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Germany and in the European Community. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 2006;119(3-4):151-159).
For additional information, contact O. Werner, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Bundesforschungsinstitut fur Tiergesundheit, Insel Riems, D-17493 Greifswald, Germany. ortrud.werner@fli.bund.de.
Study 3: Adenovirus-based immunization protected mice and poultry from lethal H5N1 avian influenza virus.
According to recent research published in the Journal of Virology , "The recent emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) strains in poultry and their subsequent transmission to humans in Southeast Asia have raised concerns about the potential pandemic spread of lethal disease. In this paper we describe the development and testing of an adenovirus-based influenza A virus vaccine directed against the hemagglutinin (RA) protein of the A/Vietnam/1203/2004 (H5N1) (VN/1203/04) strain isolated during the lethal human outbreak in Vietnam from 2003 to 2005.".
"We expressed different portions of RA from a recombinant replication-incompetent adenoviral vector, achieving vaccine production within 36 days of acquiring the virus sequence," said Wentao Gao at the University of Pittsburgh and collaborators in the U.S. "BALB/c mice were immunized with a prime-boost vaccine and exposed to a lethal intranasal dose of VN/1203/04 H5N1 virus 70 days later. Vaccination induced both HA-specific antibodies and cellular immunity likely to provide heterotypic immunity. Mice vaccinated with full-length RA were fully protected from challenge with VN/1203/04.".
"We next evaluated the efficacy of adenovirus-based vaccination in domestic chickens, given the critical role of fowl species in the spread of HPAI worldwide," reported Gao and associates. "A single subcutaneous immunization completely protected chickens from an intranasal challenge 21 days later with VN/1203/04, which proved lethal to all control-vaccinated chickens within two days.".
The researchers concluded, "These data indicate that the rapid production and subsequent administration of recombinant adenovirus-based vaccines to both birds and high-risk individuals in the face of an outbreak may serve to control the pandemic spread of lethal avian influenza.".
Gao and coauthors published their study in the Journal of Virology (Protection of mice and poultry from lethal H5N1 avian influenza virus through adenovirus-based immunization. J Virol, 2006;80(4):1959-1964).
For additional information, contact Andrea Gambotto, Department of Surgery and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Molecular Medicine Institute, Suite 412, 300 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA. agamb@pitt.edu.
Keywords: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, Avian Influenza Vaccine, Vaccine Development, Vaccine Efficacy, Adenoviral Vector, Adenovirus, Immunology, Immunotherapy, Vectors and Zoonoses, Outbreaks, Pandemics, Emerging Pathogens, Virology, Proteomics.
This article was prepared by Virus Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Virus Weekly via NewsRx.com.
Researchers' work from Japan, Germany and the United States adds to bird flu body of knowledge
Source: Virus Weekly via NewsRx.com
Indexing Date: 20/10/2006
Harvested Date: Oct 24 2006 10:15AM
2006 OCT 24 - (NewsRx.com) -- Bird flu data are the focus of recent research from Japan, Germany and the United States.
Study 1: The avian influenza virus A/chicken/Yamaguchi/7/04 (H5N1) strain is highly pathogenic to other birds.
According to recently published research from Japan, "Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been occurring in domestic poultry in Asia since 1996. In the beginning of 2004, HPAI outbreaks were caused by H5N1 virus in two farms and a group of pet chickens in different areas of Japan.".
"In the present study," wrote scientists, "the pathogenicity of A/chicken/Yamaguchi/7/04 (H5N1), which had been isolated from a dead chicken during the first outbreak in Japan, was assessed in chickens, quails, budgerigars, ducklings, mice, and miniature pigs by experimental infection.".
"The virus was highly pathogenic to all the birds tested," reported N. Isoda and colleagues at Hokkaido University.
The authors concluded, "Mice were susceptible to infection with a low mortality rate and miniature pigs were resistant to infection with the virus.".
Isoda and colleagues published their study in Archives of Virology (Pathogenicity of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, A/chicken/Yamaguchi/7/04 (H5N1) in different species of birds and mammals. Arch Virol, 2006;151(7):1267-1279).
For more information, contact H. Kida, Hokkaido University, Graduate School Vet. Medical, Dept. of Diseases Control, Microbiology Laboratory, Sapporo, Hokkaido 0600818, Japan.
Study 2: Measures for control and eradication of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Germany and in the European Community are examined in a recent issue of Berliner und Munchener Tierarztliche Wochenschrift.
According to the report from Germany, "The huge potential economic impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) substantiates specific and rigorous legal regulations worldwide. According to the O.I.E. Terrestrial Animal Health Code, fowl plague is a notifiable disease. International trading activities concerning poultry and poultry products originating from countries with active HPAI are rigorously restricted.
"In EU member states directive 92/40/EEC subsumes measures against fowl plague and has been transferred into German legislation by the 'Geflugelpest-Verordnung.' These acts specify that vaccination against HPAI is principally prohibited.".
"The aim of all sanctions is the extinction of disease and the eradication of the causative agent," said O. Werner and T. Harder at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut. "However, HPAI viruses, exclusively belonging to subtypes H5 and H7, can re-emerge de novo from progenitor viruses of low pathogenicity which are perpetuated in the wild bird population. An outbreak of HPAI requires prompt action by a stamping out strategy. Fast and accurate diagnosis, a strict stand-still and the culling of affected flocks are at the basis of success.".
Werner and Harder stated, "In areas with a high density of poultry holdings pre-emptive culling and creation of buffer zones, devoid of susceptible poultry, may be necessary. In these cases emergency vaccinations can be considered as a supportive measure in order to limit mass culling. Vaccinations on merely prophylactic grounds, not being connected to acute outbreaks, should be avoided because of selective pressures on the virus leading to antigenic drift and escape of vaccine-induced immunity. Instead, high standard biosecurity measures, particularly limiting direct and indirect contacts with wild birds, should be maintained.".
Werner and Harder published their report in Berliner und Munchener Tierarztliche Wochenschrift (Measures for control and eradication of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Germany and in the European Community. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr, 2006;119(3-4):151-159).
For additional information, contact O. Werner, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Bundesforschungsinstitut fur Tiergesundheit, Insel Riems, D-17493 Greifswald, Germany. ortrud.werner@fli.bund.de.
Study 3: Adenovirus-based immunization protected mice and poultry from lethal H5N1 avian influenza virus.
According to recent research published in the Journal of Virology , "The recent emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) strains in poultry and their subsequent transmission to humans in Southeast Asia have raised concerns about the potential pandemic spread of lethal disease. In this paper we describe the development and testing of an adenovirus-based influenza A virus vaccine directed against the hemagglutinin (RA) protein of the A/Vietnam/1203/2004 (H5N1) (VN/1203/04) strain isolated during the lethal human outbreak in Vietnam from 2003 to 2005.".
"We expressed different portions of RA from a recombinant replication-incompetent adenoviral vector, achieving vaccine production within 36 days of acquiring the virus sequence," said Wentao Gao at the University of Pittsburgh and collaborators in the U.S. "BALB/c mice were immunized with a prime-boost vaccine and exposed to a lethal intranasal dose of VN/1203/04 H5N1 virus 70 days later. Vaccination induced both HA-specific antibodies and cellular immunity likely to provide heterotypic immunity. Mice vaccinated with full-length RA were fully protected from challenge with VN/1203/04.".
"We next evaluated the efficacy of adenovirus-based vaccination in domestic chickens, given the critical role of fowl species in the spread of HPAI worldwide," reported Gao and associates. "A single subcutaneous immunization completely protected chickens from an intranasal challenge 21 days later with VN/1203/04, which proved lethal to all control-vaccinated chickens within two days.".
The researchers concluded, "These data indicate that the rapid production and subsequent administration of recombinant adenovirus-based vaccines to both birds and high-risk individuals in the face of an outbreak may serve to control the pandemic spread of lethal avian influenza.".
Gao and coauthors published their study in the Journal of Virology (Protection of mice and poultry from lethal H5N1 avian influenza virus through adenovirus-based immunization. J Virol, 2006;80(4):1959-1964).
For additional information, contact Andrea Gambotto, Department of Surgery and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Molecular Medicine Institute, Suite 412, 300 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA. agamb@pitt.edu.
Keywords: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, Avian Influenza Vaccine, Vaccine Development, Vaccine Efficacy, Adenoviral Vector, Adenovirus, Immunology, Immunotherapy, Vectors and Zoonoses, Outbreaks, Pandemics, Emerging Pathogens, Virology, Proteomics.
This article was prepared by Virus Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Virus Weekly via NewsRx.com.