title: Characterization of a highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus isolated from ducks in Eastern China in 2011.
abstract: This study describes the characterization of seven H5N1 avian influenza viruses from domestic ducks in Eastern China in 2011. Phylogenetic analysis showed these viruses were closely related to an H5N1 virus circulating in wild birds in Hong Kong. Some characteristics of these viruses were similar to those of an H5N1 strain that circulated in China and Vietnam (2003-2004). The virulence of three isolates was examined in chickens and mice, and they were found to be highly pathogenic in chickens but showed low pathogenicity in mice. These results suggest that continued H5N1 surveillance in poultry should be used as an early warning system for avian influenza outbreaks.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Wu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hai-bo
authors.forename: Guo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chao-tan
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ru-feng
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li-hua
authors.forename: Wo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: En-kang
authors.forename: You
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jin-biao
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yi-ting
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qiao-gang
authors.forename: Wu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nan-ping
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D004372:Ducks / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010802:Phylogeny; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*