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Title: Isolation and genetic characterization of avian influenza viruses from wild birds in the Azov-Black Sea region of Ukraine (2006-2011)

Author
item MUZYKA, DENYS - National Scientific Center
item Pantin Jackwood, Mary
item Spackman, Erica
item STEGNIY, BORIS - National Scientific Center
item RULA, OLEXANDER - National Scientific Center
item STEGNIY, ANTON - National Scientific Center
item GERYLOVICH, ANTON - National Scientific Center

Submitted to: International Symposium on Avian Influenza
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2015
Publication Date: 4/12/2015
Citation: Muzyka, D., Pantin Jackwood, M.J., Spackman, E., Stegniy, B., Rula, O., Stegniy, A., Gerylovich, A. 2015. Isolation and genetic characterization of avian influenza viruses from wild birds in the Azov-Black Sea region of Ukraine (2006-2011) [abstract]. 9th International Symposium on Avian Influenza, Athens, Georgia. p. 59.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Wild bird surveillance for avian influenza virus (AIV) was conducted from 2006 to 2012 in a region of Ukraine known as being intercontinental (North-South and East-West) flyways. A total of 6,281 samples were collected from wild birds representing 27 families and 11 orders. From these samples, 69 AIV’s belonging to 15 of the 16 known hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes and 7 of 9 known neuraminidase (NA) subtypes were isolated. No H14 subtype was identified, nor any N5 or N9 subtypes. In total, 9 H6, 8 H1, 9 H5, 7 H7, 6 H11, 6 H4, 5 H3, 5 H10, 4 H8, 3 H2, 3 H9, 1 H12, 1 H13, 1 H15, and 1 H16 HA subtypes were isolated. As for the N1 subtypes, 12 N2, 9 N6, 8 N8, 7 N7, 6 N3, 4 N4, and one not determined were isolated. There were 27 HA and NA antigen combinations. All viruses were low pathogenic AIV excluding 8 highly pathogenic AIV which were isolated during the H5N1 HPAI outbreaks of 2006-2008. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the HA genes revealed epidemiological connections between the Azov-Black Sea regions and Europe, Russia, Mongolia, and Southeast Asia. H1, H2, H3, H7, H8, H6, H9, and H13 AIV subtypes were closely related to European, Russian, Mongolian, and Georgian viruses. H10, H11, and H12 AIV subtypes were epidemiologically linked to viruses from Europe and Southeast Asia. Our results demonstrate the great genetic diversity of AIV’s in wild birds in the Azov-Black Sea region, as well as the importance of this region for monitoring and studying the ecology of influenza viruses.