1. Antigenic and molecular characterization of low pathogenic avian influenza A(H9N2) viruses in sub-Saharan Africa from 2017 through 2019
- Author
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Maxime, Fusade-Boyer, Fidélia, Djegui, Komla, Batawui, Denis K, Byuragaba, Jeremy C, Jones, Fred, Wabwire-Mangeni, Bernard, Erima, Gladys, Atim, Qouilazoni A, Ukuli, Titus, Tugume, Koffi, Dogno, Komlan, Adjabli, Mvibudulu, Nzuzi, Rachidatou, Adjin, Trushar, Jeevan, Adam, Rubrum, Wolali, Go-Maro, Ghazi, Kayali, Pamela, McKenzie, Richard J, Webby, Mariette F, Ducatez, Interactions hôtes-agents pathogènes [Toulouse] (IHAP), Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), Institut National Polytechnique (Toulouse) (Toulouse INP), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Institut National Polytechnique (Toulouse) (Toulouse INP), Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées-Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), Laboratoire de Diagnostic Vétérinaire et de Sérosurveillance (LADISERO), Laboratoire Central Vétérinaire de Lomé, Makerere University [Kampala, Ouganda] (MAK), St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Walter Reed Project, Human Link, University of Texas Health Science Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), and This study was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health (CEIRS HHSN266200700005C and HHSN272201400006C). M.F.B. is supported by a PhD scholarship of the French Ministry of Research and Higher Education. Samples collection and virus isolation of Ugandan isolates received support to DKB from the Department of Defense Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch Global Emerging Infections Surveillance Section [grant number: P0136_19_KY_08].
- Subjects
Virulence ,viruses ,[SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio] ,virus diseases ,Cross Reactions ,Antibodies, Viral ,Virus Replication ,phylogeny ,Antigenic Variation ,Evolution, Molecular ,one health ,Influenza in Birds ,Influenza, Human ,parasitic diseases ,Africa ,Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype ,Animals ,Humans ,Influenza virus ,antigenic cartography ,Chickens ,Africa South of the Sahara ,Poultry Diseases ,Research Article - Abstract
International audience; Sub-Saharan Africa was historically considered an animal influenza cold spot, with only sporadic highly pathogenic H5 outbreaks detected over the last 20 years. However, in 2017, low pathogenic avian influenza A(H9N2) viruses were detected in poultry in Sub-Saharan Africa. Molecular, phylogenetic, and antigenic characterization of isolates from Benin, Togo, and Uganda showed that they belonged to the G1 lineage. Isolates from Benin and Togo clustered with viruses previously described in Western Africa, whereas viruses from Uganda were genetically distant and clustered with viruses from the Middle East. Viruses from Benin exhibited decreased cross-reactivity with those from Togo and Uganda, suggesting antigenic drift associated with reduced replication in Calu-3 cells. The viruses exhibited mammalian adaptation markers similar to those of the human strain A/Senegal/0243/2019 (H9N2). Therefore, viral genetic and antigenic surveillance in Africa is of paramount importance to detect further evolution or emergence of new zoonotic strains.
- Published
- 2021