Encinas P, Del Real G, Dutta J, Khan Z, van Bakel. Evolution of influenza A virus in intensive and free-range swine farms in Spain. Virus Evol. 2021 Nov 30;7(2):veab099
Swine harbor genetically diverse influenza A viruses (IAVs) with the capacity to host-switch to humans, causing global pandemics. Spain is the largest swine producer in Europe and has a mixed production system that includes ´white coat´ pigs raised intensively in modern buildings and free-range Iberian pigs that interface differently with humans, wildlife, and other swine. Through active longitudinal IAV surveillance in nine Spanish provinces during 2015-9, we generated forty-seven complete or near-complete genome sequences from IAVs collected from swine in both systems. Genetically diverse IAVs were identified in intensively raised white pigs and free-range Iberian pigs, including new H3N1 reassortants. Both systems are dynamic environments for IAV evolution, but driven by different processes. IAVs in white pigs were genetically related to viruses found in swine raised intensively in other European countries, reflecting high rates of viral introduction following European trade routes. In contrast, IAVs in Iberian pigs have a genetic makeup shaped by frequent introductions of human IAVs, reflecting rearing practices with high rates of human contact. Transmission between white and Iberian pigs also occurred. In conclusion, Iberian swine with high rates of human contact harbor genetically diverse IAVs and potentially serve as intermediary hosts between white pigs and humans, presenting an understudied zoonotic risk that requires further investigation.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- Highly pathogenic avian influenza as a systemic risk - implications for control and preparedness 1 days 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 1 days ago
- [preprint]The mammalian-adaptive PB2-E627K substitution preserves viral fitness of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV in birds 2 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]


