Characterization of avian H9N2 influenza viruses from United Arab Emirates 2000 to 2003.
Our aim was to establish the phylogenetic relation of H9N2 avian viruses in the Middle East to other Asian H9N2 lineages by characterization of 7 viruses isolated from United Arab Emirates (2000-2003). All these viruses had an additional basic amino acid at the hemagglutinin-connecting peptide; 6 contained a mutation associated with increased affinity toward human-like sialic acid substrates. The viruses' surface glycoproteins and most internal genes were >90% similar to those of A/Quail/Hong Kong/G1/97 (H9N2) lineage. The hemadsorbing site of neuraminidase had up to 4 amino acid substitutions, as do human pandemic viruses. M2 sequence analysis revealed amino acid changes at 2 positions, with increasing resistance to amantadine in cell culture. They replicated efficiently in inoculated chickens and were successfully transmitted to contacts. They continue to maintain H5N1-like genes and may augment the spread of H5N1 viruses through regional co-circulation and inapparent infection. These viruses may present as potential pandemic candidates themselves.
Aamir
U B
UB
Division of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale Street, Memphis, TN 38105-2794, USA. uzma.bashir@stjude.org
Wernery
Ulrich
U
Ilyushina
N
N
Webster
R G
RG
D000547:Amantadine / Q000494:pharmacology; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002645:Chickens; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000235:genetics; D006382:Hemadsorption; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / Q000235:genetics; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000235:genetics; D053127:Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D009154:Mutation; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010802:Phylogeny; D011784:Quail; D017385:Sequence Homology; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D013045:Species Specificity; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D014774:Virulence; D000086082:Viroporin Proteins
D000547:Amantadine; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015686:Gene Products, env; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus; D009439:Neuraminidase; D012794:Sialic Acids; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; C488937:M2 protein, Influenza A virus; D000086082:Viroporin Proteins; C109963:hemagglutinin, avian influenza A virus