Bearing the brunt: Mongolian khulan (Equus hemionus hemionus) are exposed to multiple influenza A strains.

This research article revolves around a study conducted to assess the exposure of the Mongolian khulan (Asiatic wild ass) to various strains of the influenza A virus. Interestingly, the animals showed antibodies against six specific strains of the virus, leading to the conclusion that the khulan might be an unidentified influenza A virus reservoir.

Research Context

• The majority of Influenza A virus strains are found in avian species particularly in Anseriformes and Charadriformes orders.
• Only a minority of these strains have managed to cross species boundaries to infect non-avian hosts such as horses, donkeys, and mules. These instances represent successful adaptation events of avian influenza virus infiltrating mammal hosts.
• Mongolia has more than 3 million domestic horses and is also home to two wild equids, namely the Asiatic wild ass (khulan) and Przewalski’s horse.

Research Methodology

• Epidemic outbreaks of influenza A virus are often recorded among domestic horses in Mongolia. However, its relation to wild equids remains unknown.
• The researchers evaluated serum samples of Asiatic wild asses in Mongolia for antibodies against influenza A viruses. They utilized a modified protein microarray technique for this purpose.
• Through this method, they were able to detect antibodies against six specific hemagglutinin (H) strains of influenza A viruses namely, H1, H3, H5, H7, H8, and H10. Hemagglutinin is a substance that causes red blood cells to clump together and is one of the several proteins on the surface of influenza viruses.

Research Findings

• The study showed that the Asiatic wild asses have been exposed to multiple strains of the influenza A virus, as indicated by the presence of antibodies against six specific strains.
• This suggests that Asiatic wild asses could potentially be an unidentified reservoir of the influenza A virus. A reservoir is a host from which the virus typically originates.
• Further, as the Asiatic wild ass shares an ecosystem with domestic horse populations where influenza strains roam, there is a higher chance of cross-infection and adaptation.

Significance of the Research

• This study provides important insights into the potential viral reservoirs for influenza A. Viral reservoirs can help identify potential sources of new epidemics or pandemics.
• The study also underlines the importance of considering all animal species in an ecosystem when studying the dynamics of diseases, particularly when the disease has the capability to cross species boundaries, like influenza A virus.