title: Characterization of clade 2.3.2.1 H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses isolated from wild birds (mandarin duck and Eurasian eagle owl) in 2010 in Korea.
abstract: Starting in late November 2010, the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus was isolated from many types of wild ducks and raptors and was subsequently isolated from poultry in Korea. We assessed the genetic and pathogenic properties of the HPAI viruses isolated from a fecal sample from a mandarin duck and a dead Eurasian eagle owl, the most affected wild bird species during the 2010/2011 HPAI outbreak in Korea. These viruses have similar genetic backgrounds and exhibited the highest genetic similarity with recent Eurasian clade 2.3.2.1 HPAI viruses. In animal inoculation experiments, regardless of their originating hosts, the two Korean isolates produced highly pathogenic characteristics in chickens, ducks and mice without pre-adaptation. These results raise concerns about veterinary and public health. Surveillance of wild birds could provide a good early warning signal for possible HPAI infection in poultry as well as in humans.
authors.affiliation: Animal, Plant and Fisheries Quarantine and Inspection Agency, 175 Anyangro, Manangu, Anyang, Gyeonggi 430-757, Republic of Korea. happythomas@korea.kr
authors.forename: Jun-Gu
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hyun-Mi
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Woo-Jin
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Kang-Seuk
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Kwang-Il
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Byung Min
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Hee-Soo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jae-Hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Youn-Jeong
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens / Q000821:virology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004372:Ducks / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / Q000235:genetics; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D010802:Phylogeny; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D020305:Strigiformes / Q000821:virology*; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus