tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
PlosOne
Reassortant between Human-Like H3N2 and Avian H5 Subtype Influenza A Viruses in Pigs: A Potential Public Health Risk
Yanlong Cong1#, Guangmei Wang1#, Zhenhong Guan2#, Shuang Chang1, Quanpeng Zhang1, Guilian Yang3, Weili Wang4, Qingfeng Meng4, Weiming Ren3, Chunfeng Wang3*, Zhuang Ding1*
1 College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China, 2 Institute of Zoonoses, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China, 3 College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, China, 4 Jilin Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Changchun, Jilin, China
Background
Human-like H3N2 influenza viruses have repeatedly been transmitted to domestic pigs in different regions of the world, but it is still uncertain whether any of these variants could become established in pig populations. The fact that different subtypes of influenza viruses have been detected in pigs makes them an ideal candidate for the genesis of a possible reassortant virus with both human and avian origins. However, the determination of whether pigs can act as a ?mixing vessel? for a possible future pandemic virus is still pending an answer. This prompted us to gather the epidemiological information and investigate the genetic evolution of swine influenza viruses in Jilin, China.
Methods
Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from pigs with respiratory illness in Jilin province, China from July 2007 to October 2008. All samples were screened for influenza A viruses. Three H3N2 swine influenza virus isolates were analyzed genetically and phylogenetically.
Results
Influenza surveillance of pigs in Jilin province, China revealed that H3N2 influenza viruses were regularly detected from domestic pigs during 2007 to 2008. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that two distinguishable groups of H3N2 influenza viruses were present in pigs: the wholly contemporary human-like H3N2 viruses (represented by the Moscow/10/99-like sublineage) and double-reassortant viruses containing genes from contemporary human H3N2 viruses and avian H5 viruses, both co-circulating in pig populations.
Conclusions
The present study reports for the first time the coexistence of wholly human-like H3N2 viruses and double-reassortant viruses that have emerged in pigs in Jilin, China. It provides updated information on the role of pigs in interspecies transmission and genetic reassortment of influenza viruses.
full article
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0012591
Reassortant between Human-Like H3N2 and Avian H5 Subtype Influenza A Viruses in Pigs: A Potential Public Health Risk
Yanlong Cong1#, Guangmei Wang1#, Zhenhong Guan2#, Shuang Chang1, Quanpeng Zhang1, Guilian Yang3, Weili Wang4, Qingfeng Meng4, Weiming Ren3, Chunfeng Wang3*, Zhuang Ding1*
1 College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China, 2 Institute of Zoonoses, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China, 3 College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin, China, 4 Jilin Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Changchun, Jilin, China
Background
Human-like H3N2 influenza viruses have repeatedly been transmitted to domestic pigs in different regions of the world, but it is still uncertain whether any of these variants could become established in pig populations. The fact that different subtypes of influenza viruses have been detected in pigs makes them an ideal candidate for the genesis of a possible reassortant virus with both human and avian origins. However, the determination of whether pigs can act as a ?mixing vessel? for a possible future pandemic virus is still pending an answer. This prompted us to gather the epidemiological information and investigate the genetic evolution of swine influenza viruses in Jilin, China.
Methods
Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from pigs with respiratory illness in Jilin province, China from July 2007 to October 2008. All samples were screened for influenza A viruses. Three H3N2 swine influenza virus isolates were analyzed genetically and phylogenetically.
Results
Influenza surveillance of pigs in Jilin province, China revealed that H3N2 influenza viruses were regularly detected from domestic pigs during 2007 to 2008. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that two distinguishable groups of H3N2 influenza viruses were present in pigs: the wholly contemporary human-like H3N2 viruses (represented by the Moscow/10/99-like sublineage) and double-reassortant viruses containing genes from contemporary human H3N2 viruses and avian H5 viruses, both co-circulating in pig populations.
Conclusions
The present study reports for the first time the coexistence of wholly human-like H3N2 viruses and double-reassortant viruses that have emerged in pigs in Jilin, China. It provides updated information on the role of pigs in interspecies transmission and genetic reassortment of influenza viruses.
full article
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0012591