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Veterinary microbiology2010; 144(3-4); 455-460; doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.01.006

Isolation and genetic characterization of H3N8 equine influenza virus from donkeys in China.

Abstract: During the 2007 outbreak of equine influenza (EIV) in China, an influenza virus designated A/donkey/Xinjiang/5/2007 (donkey/Xinjiang/2007) was isolated from a symptomatic donkey in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. To analyze the genetic evolution of the new isolate, the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of donkey/Xinjiang/2007 was amplified and sequenced. Sequence alignment, prediction of glycosylation sites and phylogenetic analysis of the HA1 protein of donkey/Xinjiang/2007 showed most similarity to the Florida sublineage clade 2 of the American lineage of equine influenza viruses. The HA1 sequence of donkey/Xinjiang/2007 had high identity with the Chinese EIV strains isolated in recent years and had low identity with A/swine/Anhui/1/2006, a horse-derived influenza virus isolated from pigs in China. Compared with vaccine strains, the HA1 amino acid sequence of donkey/Xinjiang/2007 varied in the five putative antigenic sites to different degrees and distributed in a different branch of the HA1 phylogenetic tree. Our findings provide further evidence of an American H3N8 equine influenza virus in China in addition to the European H3N8 equine influenza virus. Accordingly, a vaccine against equine influenza in China should contain components of both strains of viruses to prevent widespread infection.
Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2010-01-28 PubMed ID: 20153940DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.01.006Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research is about the isolation and genetic study of the H3N8 equine influenza virus taken from donkeys in China during an outbreak in 2007. The study provides evidence for the existence of an American H3N8 equine influenza virus in China, suggesting the need for vaccines against both European and American influenza strains in the country.

Background of the Research

  • The research is anchored in the context of a 2007 outbreak of equine influenza (EIV), an infection of horse species, which also affected donkeys in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
  • As part of this study, an influenza virus labelled A/donkey/Xinjiang/5/2007 (donkey/Xinjiang/2007) was isolated from a sick donkey and was selected for further analysis.

Research Process and Techniques

  • The hemagglutinin (HA) gene of donkey/Xinjiang/2007 was amplified and sequenced for the analysis of its genetic evolution.
  • Sequence alignment, prediction of glycosylation sites, and phylogenetic analysis of the HA1 protein (protein fragment of the HA gene) of donkey/Xinjiang/2007 were performed.

Findings of the Research

  • The analysis indicated that the HA1 protein of donkey/Xinjiang/2007 demonstrated the most similarity to the Florida sublineage clade 2 of the American lineage of equine influenza viruses.
  • Comparison of the HA1 sequence of donkey/Xinjiang/2007 with the Chinese EIV strains isolated in recent years and A/swine/Anhui/1/2006 (an influenza virus of horse origin from pigs in China) showed that the former had high identity with the Chinese EIV and low identity with A/swine/Anhui/1/2006.
  • When compared with vaccine strains, the HA1 amino acid sequence of donkey/Xinjiang/2007 showed changes in the five supposed antigenic sites and was dispersed in a different branch of the HA1 phylogenetic tree.

Recommendations and Implications of the Findings

  • The findings provide further evidence that suggests that the American H3N8 equine influenza virus exists in China in addition to the European H3N8 equine influenza virus.
  • This discovery implies that an effective vaccine against equine influenza in China should contain components of both strains of viruses to avoid widespread infection.

Cite This Article

APA
Qi T, Guo W, Huang W, Dai L, Zhao L, Li H, Li X, Zhang X, Wang Y, Yan Y, He N, Xiang W. (2010). Isolation and genetic characterization of H3N8 equine influenza virus from donkeys in China. Vet Microbiol, 144(3-4), 455-460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.01.006

Publication

Veterinary microbiology
ISSN: 1873-2542
NlmUniqueID: 7705469
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 144
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 455-460

Researcher Affiliations

Qi, Ting
  • Division of Livestock Infectious Diseases, National Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150001, PR China.
Guo, Wei
    Huang, Wenqiang
      Dai, Lingli
        Zhao, Liping
          Li, Hongmei
            Li, Xuefeng
              Zhang, Xinxin
                Wang, Yingyuan
                  Yan, Yan
                    He, Na
                      Xiang, Wenhua

                        MeSH Terms

                        • Amino Acid Sequence
                        • Animals
                        • China / epidemiology
                        • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
                        • Equidae
                        • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
                        • Hemagglutinins / chemistry
                        • Hemagglutinins / genetics
                        • Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype / genetics
                        • Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype / isolation & purification
                        • Molecular Sequence Data
                        • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / epidemiology
                        • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary
                        • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / virology
                        • Phylogeny

                        Citations

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