title: H9N2 low pathogenic avian influenza in Pakistan (2012-2015).
abstract: Significant economic losses from deaths and decreased egg production have resulted from H9N2 low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) infections in poultry across North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The H9N2 LPAIVs have been endemic in Pakistani poultry since 1996, but no new viruses have been reported since 2010. Because novel genotypes of Pakistani H9N2 contain mammalian host-specific markers, recent surveillance is essential to better understand any continuing public health risk. Here the authors report on four new H9N2 LPAIVs, three from 2015 and one from 2012. All of the viruses tested in this study belonged to Middle East B genetic group of G1 lineage and had PAKSSR/G motif at the haemagglutinin cleavage site. The mammalian host-specific markers at position 226 in the haemagglutinin receptor-binding site and internal genes suggest that Pakistan H9N2 viruses are still potentially infectious for mammals. Continued active surveillance in poultry and mammals is needed to monitor the spread and understand the potential for zoonotic infection by these H9N2 LPAIVs.
authors.affiliation: Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Athens , Georgia , USA.
authors.forename: Dong-Hun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Athens , Georgia , USA.
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Swayne
authors.affiliation: Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Athens , Georgia , USA.
authors.forename: Poonam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Quality Operations Laboratory (QOL) , University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences , Lahore , Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shafqat Fatima
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Rehmani
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (IBBt), University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences , Lahore , Pakistan.
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wajid
authors.affiliation: Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Athens , Georgia , USA.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Suarez
authors.affiliation: Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Athens , Georgia , USA.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Afonso
keywords: H9N2; Pakistan; avian influenza