Gharieb R, Mohamed M, Khalil A, Ali A. Influenza A viruses in birds and humans: Prevalence, molecular characterization, zoonotic significance and risk factors´ assessment in poultry farms. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2019 Apr;63:51-
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of influenza A viruses in birds and humans residing in the same localities of Sharkia Province, Egypt and the risk factors´ assessment in poultry farms. A total of 100 birds comprised of 50 chickens, 25 ducks and 25 wild egrets were sampled. Swab samples were collected from 65 people (50 poultry farm workers and 15 hospitalized patients). All samples were screened for the presence of influenza A viruses using isolation and molecular assays. Avian influenza viruses were only detected in chicken samples (18%) and molecularly confirmed as subtype H5. The infection rate was higher in broilers (40%) than layers (8.6%). Influenza A (H1) pdm09 virus was detected in a single human case (1.54%). All the isolated AI H5 viruses were clustered into clade (2.2.1.2) and shared a high similarity rate at nucleotides and amino acid levels. In addition, they had a multi-basic amino acid motif (???PQGEKRRKKR/GLF???) at the H5 gene cleavage site that exhibited point mutations. Chicken breed, movement of workers from one flock to another, lack of utensils´ disinfection and the introduction of new birds to the farm were significant risk factors associated with highly pathogenic AI H5 virus infection in poultry farms (p?≤?0.05). Other factors showed no significant association. The HPAI H5 viruses are still endemic in Egypt with continuous mutation. Co-circulation of these viruses in birds and pdm09 viruses in humans raises alarm for the emergence of reassortant viruses that are capable of potentiating pandemics.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- Highly pathogenic avian influenza as a systemic risk - implications for control and preparedness 21 hours ago
- Multiple introductions and spread of novel reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses via wild birds, South Korea, 2024-2025 21 hours ago
- [preprint]The mammalian-adaptive PB2-E627K substitution preserves viral fitness of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV in birds 1 days ago
- Mallard super-shedders of avian influenza exhibit distinct cloacal microbial abundance profiles 2 days ago
- A digitally immune-optimized influenza vaccine broadly neutralizes swine and human H1N1 influenza viruses and protects from heterologous challenge 2 days ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]


