Microevolution of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses isolated from humans, Egypt, 2007-2011

Emerg Infect Dis. 2013 Jan;19(1):43-50. doi: 10.3201/eid1901.121080.

Abstract

We analyzed highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses isolated from humans infected in Egypt during 2007-2011. All analyzed viruses evolved from the lineage of subtype H5N1 viruses introduced into Egypt in 2006; we found minimal evidence of reassortment and no exotic introductions. The hemagglutinin genes of the viruses from 2011 formed a monophyletic group within clade 2.2.1 that also included human viruses from 2009 and 2010 and contemporary viruses from poultry; this finding is consistent with zoonotic transmission. Although molecular markers suggestive of decreased susceptibility to antiviral drugs were detected sporadically in the neuraminidase and matrix 2 proteins, functional neuraminidase inhibition assays did not identify resistant viruses. No other mutations suggesting a change in the threat to public health were detected in the viral proteomes. However, a comparison of representative subtype H5N1 viruses from 2011 with older subtype H5N1 viruses from Egypt revealed substantial antigenic drift.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology*
  • Chickens / virology*
  • Egypt / epidemiology
  • Enzyme Assays
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Genes, Viral*
  • Genetic Drift
  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / classification
  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / genetics
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / classification
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / genetics*
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / immunology
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / pathogenicity*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human / virology*
  • Neuraminidase / genetics
  • Phylogeny
  • Poultry Diseases / epidemiology
  • Poultry Diseases / virology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus
  • Neuraminidase