This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Open AccessCommunication
Molecular Characterization of a Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus from a 2022 Outbreak in Layer Chickens in the Philippines
by
Zyne Baybay
Zyne Baybay 1,
Andrew Montecillo
Andrew Montecillo 1,2,
Airish Pantua
Airish Pantua 1,
Milagros Mananggit
Milagros Mananggit 3,
Generoso Rene Romo, Jr.
Generoso Rene Romo, Jr. 4,
Esmeraldo San Pedro
Esmeraldo San Pedro 4,
Homer Pantua
Homer Pantua 1 and
Christina Lora Leyson
Christina Lora Leyson 1,5,*
1
BioAssets Corporation, Santo Tomas 4234, Batangas, Philippines
2
Institute of Biological Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños 4031, Laguna, Philippines
3
Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office III, San Fernando 2000, Pampanga, Philippines
4
Philippine College of Poultry Practitioners, Tanay 1980, Rizal, Philippines
5
Balik Scientist Program, Department of Science and Technology, Bicutan 1631, Taguig, Philippines
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Pathogens 2024, 13(10), 844; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13100844 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 12 May 2024
/
Revised: 15 September 2024
/
Accepted: 18 September 2024
/
Published: 28 September 2024
Abstract
H5 subtype high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses continue to devastate the poultry industry and threaten food security and public health. The first outbreak of H5 HPAI in the Philippines was reported in 2017. Since then, H5 HPAI outbreaks have been reported in 2020, 2022, and 2023. Here, we report the first publicly available complete whole-genome sequence of an H5N1 high-pathogenicity avian influenza virus from a case in Central Luzon. Samples were collected from a flock of layer chickens exhibiting signs of lethargy, droopy wings, and ecchymotic hemorrhages in trachea with excessive mucus exudates. A high mortality rate of 96–100% was observed within the week. Days prior to the high mortality event, migratory birds were observed around the chicken farm. Lungs, spleen, cloacal swabs, and oropharyngeal–tracheal swabs were taken from two chickens from this flock. These samples were positive in quantitative RT-PCR assays for influenza matrix and H5 hemagglutinin (HA) genes. To further characterize the virus, the same samples were subjected to whole-virus-genome amplification and sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore method with mean coverages of 19,190 and 2984, respectively. A phylogenetic analysis of the HA genes revealed that the H5N1 HPAI virus from Central Luzon belongs to the Goose/Guangdong lineage clade 2.3.4.4b viruses. Other segments also have high sequence identity and the same genetic lineages as other clade 2.3.4.4b viruses from Asia. Collectively, these data indicate that wild migratory birds are the likely source of H5N1 viruses from the 2022 outbreaks in the Philippines. Thus, biosecurity practices and surveillance for HPAI viruses in both domestic and wild birds should be increased to prevent and mitigate HPAI outbreaks.
Share and Cite
MDPI and ACS Style
Baybay, Z.; Montecillo, A.; Pantua, A.; Mananggit, M.; Romo, G.R., Jr.; San Pedro, E.; Pantua, H.; Leyson, C.L.
Molecular Characterization of a Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus from a 2022 Outbreak in Layer Chickens in the Philippines. Pathogens 2024, 13, 844.
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13100844
AMA Style
Baybay Z, Montecillo A, Pantua A, Mananggit M, Romo GR Jr., San Pedro E, Pantua H, Leyson CL.
Molecular Characterization of a Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus from a 2022 Outbreak in Layer Chickens in the Philippines. Pathogens. 2024; 13(10):844.
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13100844
Chicago/Turabian Style
Baybay, Zyne, Andrew Montecillo, Airish Pantua, Milagros Mananggit, Generoso Rene Romo, Jr., Esmeraldo San Pedro, Homer Pantua, and Christina Lora Leyson.
2024. "Molecular Characterization of a Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus from a 2022 Outbreak in Layer Chickens in the Philippines" Pathogens 13, no. 10: 844.
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13100844
Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details
here.
Article Metrics
Article Access Statistics
For more information on the journal statistics, click
here.
Multiple requests from the same IP address are counted as one view.