title: Compatibility of H9N2 avian influenza surface genes and 2009 pandemic H1N1 internal genes for transmission in the ferret model.
abstract: In 2009, a novel H1N1 influenza (pH1N1) virus caused the first influenza pandemic in 40 y. The virus was identified as a triple reassortant between avian, swine, and human influenza viruses, highlighting the importance of reassortment in the generation of viruses with pandemic potential. Previously, we showed that a reassortant virus composed of wild-type avian H9N2 surface genes in a seasonal human H3N2 backbone could gain efficient respiratory droplet transmission in the ferret model. Here we determine the ability of the H9N2 surface genes in the context of the internal genes of a pH1N1 virus to efficiently transmit via respiratory droplets in ferrets. We generated reassorted viruses carrying the HA gene alone or in combination with the NA gene of a prototypical H9N2 virus in the background of a pH1N1 virus. Four reassortant viruses were generated, with three of them showing efficient respiratory droplet transmission. Differences in replication efficiency were observed for these viruses; however, the results clearly indicate that H9N2 avian influenza viruses and pH1N1 viruses, both of which have occasionally infected pigs, have the potential to reassort and generate novel viruses with respiratory transmission potential in mammals.
authors: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
authors: J Brian
authors: JB
authors: Kimble
authors: Erin
authors: E
authors: Sorrell
authors: Hongxia
authors: H
authors: Shao
authors: Philip L
authors: PL
authors: Martin
authors: Daniel Roberto
authors: DR
authors: Perez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005289:Ferrets; D006389:Hemagglutinins, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000235:genetics*; D053127:Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype / Q000235:genetics*; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000635:transmission*; D016865:Reassortant Viruses / Q000235:genetics*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006389:Hemagglutinins, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins; C487630:NA protein, influenza A virus; D009439:Neuraminidase