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Microbes Infect. 2017 Sep 7. pii: S1286-4579(17)30121-1. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2017.08.006. [Epub ahead of print]
Genomic signature analysis of the recently emerged highly pathogenic A(H5N8) avian influenza virus: implying an evolutionary trend for bird-to-human transmission.
Xu W1, Dai Y1, Hua C1, Wang Q1, Zou P1, Deng Q2, Jiang S3, Lu L4.
Author information
Abstract
In early 2014, a novel subclade (2.3.4.4) of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N8) virus caused the first outbreak in domestic ducks and migratory birds in South Korea. Since then, it has spread to 44 countries and regions. To date, no human infections with A(H5N8) virus have been reported, but the possibility cannot be excluded. By analyzing the genomic signatures of A(H5N8) strains, we found that among the 47 species-associated signature positions, three positions exhibited human-like signatures (HLS), including PA-404S, PB2-613I and PB2-702R and that mutation trend of host signatures of avian A(H5N8) is different before and after 2014. About 82% of A(H5N8) isolates collected after January of 2014 carried the 3 HLS (PA-404S/PB2-613I/PB2-702R) in combination, while none of isolates collected before 2014 had this combination. Furthermore, the HA protein had S137A and S227R substitutions in the receptor-binding site and A160T in the glycosylation site, potentially increasing viral ability to bind human-type receptors. Based on these findings, the newly emerged HPAI A(H5N8) isolates show an evolutionary trend toward gaining more HLS and, along with it, the potential for bird-to-human transmissibility. Therefore, more extensive surveillance of this rapidly spreading HPAI A(H5N8) and preparedness against its potential pandemic are urgently needed.
Copyright ? 2017. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.
KEYWORDS:
A(H5N8); highly pathogenic avian influenza virus; influenza; influenza A virus
PMID: 28889970 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2017.08.006
Genomic signature analysis of the recently emerged highly pathogenic A(H5N8) avian influenza virus: implying an evolutionary trend for bird-to-human transmission.
Xu W1, Dai Y1, Hua C1, Wang Q1, Zou P1, Deng Q2, Jiang S3, Lu L4.
Author information
Abstract
In early 2014, a novel subclade (2.3.4.4) of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N8) virus caused the first outbreak in domestic ducks and migratory birds in South Korea. Since then, it has spread to 44 countries and regions. To date, no human infections with A(H5N8) virus have been reported, but the possibility cannot be excluded. By analyzing the genomic signatures of A(H5N8) strains, we found that among the 47 species-associated signature positions, three positions exhibited human-like signatures (HLS), including PA-404S, PB2-613I and PB2-702R and that mutation trend of host signatures of avian A(H5N8) is different before and after 2014. About 82% of A(H5N8) isolates collected after January of 2014 carried the 3 HLS (PA-404S/PB2-613I/PB2-702R) in combination, while none of isolates collected before 2014 had this combination. Furthermore, the HA protein had S137A and S227R substitutions in the receptor-binding site and A160T in the glycosylation site, potentially increasing viral ability to bind human-type receptors. Based on these findings, the newly emerged HPAI A(H5N8) isolates show an evolutionary trend toward gaining more HLS and, along with it, the potential for bird-to-human transmissibility. Therefore, more extensive surveillance of this rapidly spreading HPAI A(H5N8) and preparedness against its potential pandemic are urgently needed.
Copyright ? 2017. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.
KEYWORDS:
A(H5N8); highly pathogenic avian influenza virus; influenza; influenza A virus
PMID: 28889970 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2017.08.006