title: Characterization of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Viruses Isolated from Domestic Poultry in China.
abstract: The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus has caused several outbreaks in domestic poultry. Despite great efforts to control the spread of this virus, it continues to evolve and poses a substantial threat to public health because of a high mortality rate. In this study, we sequenced whole genomes of eight H5N1 avian influenza viruses isolated from domestic poultry in eastern China and compared them with those of typical influenza virus strains. Phylogenetic analyses showed that all eight genomes belonged to clade 2.3.2.1 and clade 7.2, the two main circulating clades in China. Viruses that clustered in clade 2.3.2.1 shared a high degree of homology with H5N1 isolates located in eastern Asian. Isolates that clustered in clade 7.2 were found to circulate throughout China, with an east-to-west density gradient. Pathogenicity studies in mice showed that these isolates replicate in the lungs, and clade 2.3.2.1 viruses exhibit a notably higher degree of virulence compared to clade 7.2 viruses. Our results contribute to the elucidation of the biological characterization and pathogenicity of HPAI H5N1 viruses.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China.
authors.forename: Cheng Cai
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China.
authors.forename: Ke Yu
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Geriatric Hospital, Beijing 100095, China.
authors.forename: Ai Jun
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China.
authors.forename: Hong Jing
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266001, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Yan Bo
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266001, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Dong Dong
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266001, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Lin Lin
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China.
authors.forename: Yi Gang
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Geriatric Hospital, Beijing 100095, China.
authors.forename: Zong Juan
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China; Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing 100039, China.
authors.forename: Peng Hui
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China.
authors.forename: Xi Liang
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000821:virology*; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010802:Phylogeny; D011200:Poultry