Xiurong Wang

H7N9 Influenza Viruses Are Transmissible in Ferrets by Respiratory Droplet

H7N9 Adaptation Puzzling and alarming reports of an outbreak in early 2013 of human infections by a low-pathogenicity avian influenza virus has rocked the poultry industry in central eastern China and brought fears of initiating a human pandemic. Over 130 human cases have been reported with 37 deaths until closure of poultry markets accompanied a near-cessation of human case reports. From surveillance sampling of >10,000 isolates obtained during April 2013, Zhang et al. (p. 410, published online 18 July) took 37 isolates of avian origin H7N9 and compared them to human H7N9 isolates. The majority of H7N9 isolates came from live poultry markets, although some originated in pigeons. Sequence analysis indicated that the chicken isolates had retained the avian characteristics at sites on the influenza genes for PB2 and the surface hemagglutinin HA, where adaptive mutations have been observed before. Sequence analysis also showed a higher variability in the internal genes than in HA and neuraminidase NA. By using glycan arrays, it was shown that avian and human isolates bound to human, but also to some extent to avian, receptors. As expected, the virus replicated well in chickens without causing disease, whereas in mice only the human isolates were highly pathogenic. The human virus, but not the avian, transmitted between ferrets through the air. A large survey of H7N9 influenza viruses in China reveals a spectrum of mutation and virulence. A newly emerged H7N9 virus has caused 132 human infections with 37 deaths in China since 18 February 2013. Control measures in H7N9 virus–positive live poultry markets have reduced the number of infections; however, the character of the virus, including its pandemic potential, remains largely unknown. We systematically analyzed H7N9 viruses isolated from birds and humans. The viruses were genetically closely related and bound to human airway receptors; some also maintained the ability to bind to avian airway receptors. The viruses isolated from birds were nonpathogenic in chickens, ducks, and mice; however, the viruses isolated from humans caused up to 30% body weight loss in mice. Most importantly, one virus isolated from humans was highly transmissible in ferrets by respiratory droplet. Our findings indicate nothing to reduce the concern that these viruses can transmit between humans.

Substrate-bound structure of the E. coli multidrug resistance transporter MdfA

Multidrug resistance is a serious threat to public health. Proton motive force-driven antiporters from the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) constitute a major group of multidrug-resistance transporters. Currently, no reports on crystal structures of MFS antiporters in complex with their substrates exist. The E. coli MdfA transporter is a well-studied model system for biochemical analyses of multidrug-resistance MFS antiporters. Here, we report three crystal structures of MdfA-ligand complexes at resolutions up to 2.0 Å, all in the inward-facing conformation. The substrate-binding site sits proximal to the conserved acidic residue, D34. Our mutagenesis studies support the structural observations of the substrate-binding mode and the notion that D34 responds to substrate binding by adjusting its protonation status. Taken together, our data unveil the substrate-binding mode of MFS antiporters and suggest a mechanism of transport via this group of transporters.

H7N9 virulent mutants detected in chickens in China pose an increased threat to humans

Certain low pathogenic avian influenza viruses can mutate to highly pathogenic viruses when they circulate in domestic poultry, at which point they can cause devastating poultry diseases and severe economic damage. The H7N9 influenza viruses that emerged in 2013 in China had caused severe human infections and deaths. However, these viruses were nonlethal in poultry. It is unknown whether the H7N9 viruses can acquire additional mutations during their circulation in nature and become lethal to poultry and more dangerous for humans. Here, we evaluated the evolution of H7N9 viruses isolated from avian species between 2013 and 2017 in China and found 23 different genotypes, 7 of which were detected only in ducks and were genetically distinct from the other 16 genotypes that evolved from the 2013 H7N9 viruses. Importantly, some H7N9 viruses obtained an insertion of four amino acids in their hemagglutinin (HA) cleavage site and were lethal in chickens. The index strain was not lethal in mice or ferrets, but readily obtained the 627K or 701N mutation in its PB2 segment upon replication in ferrets, causing it to become highly lethal in mice and ferrets and to be transmitted efficiently in ferrets by respiratory droplet. H7N9 viruses bearing the HA insertion and PB2 627K mutation have been detected in humans in China. Our study indicates that the new H7N9 mutants are lethal to chickens and pose an increased threat to human health, and thus highlights the need to control and eradicate the H7N9 viruses to prevent a possible pandemic.

Development and Application of a Multiplex PCR Method for Rapid Differential Detection of Subgroup A, B, and J Avian Leukosis Viruses

ABSTRACT Avian leukosis virus (ALV) subgroups A, B, and J are very common in poultry flocks and have caused serious economic losses in recent years. A multiplex PCR (mPCR) method for the detection of these three subgroups was developed and optimized in this study. We first designed a common forward primer, PF, and three downstream primers, AR, BR, and JR, which can amplify 715 bp for subgroup A, 515 bp for subgroup B, and 422 bp for subgroup J simultaneously in one reaction. The mPCR method produced neither cross-reactions with other subgroups of ALVs nor nonspecific reactions with other common avian viruses. The detection limit of the mPCR was as low as 1 × 103 viral DNA copies of each of the three subgroups. In animal experiments, the mPCR detected ALVs 2 to 4 days earlier than did virus isolation from whole-blood samples and cloaca swabs. Furthermore, a total of 346 clinical samples (including 127 tissue samples, 86 cloaca swabs, 59 albumen samples, and 74 whole-blood samples) from poultry flocks with suspected ALV infection were examined by mPCR, routine PCR, and virus isolation. The positive sample/total sample ratios for ALV-A, ALV-B, and ALV-J were 48% (166/346) as detected by mPCR and 48% (166/346) as detected by routine PCR. However, the positive sample/total sample ratio detected by virus isolation was 40% (138/346). The results of the mPCR and routine PCR were confirmed by sequencing the specific fragments. These results indicate that the mPCR method is rapid, specific, sensitive, and convenient for use in epidemiological studies of ALV, clinical detection of ALV, and ALV eradication programs.

Characterization of a hypervirulent fowl adenovirus 4 with the novel genotype newly prevalent in China and establishment of reproduction infection model of hydropericardium syndrome in chickens

&NA; Severe hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) has been present in layers in the northeast of China since June 2015, with mortality rates varying from 30 to 90%. Dead layers had severe hydropericardium with pericardial volumes of 5 to 20 mL, as well as inclusion body hepatitis. Laboratory investigations led to the isolation of a fowl adenovirus strain, HLJFAd15, from the liver tissue of dead layers. Natural deletions of ORF19 and ORF27 were found in this clinical strain by complete genome sequencing, which was identified with the novel genotype recently prevalent in China. The pathogenicity characterization was conducted in 35‐day‐old SPF chickens using HLJFAd15 with novel genotype of fowl adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV‐4). The reproduction disease cases of HPS with mortality rates of 76.9% by oral administration and 100% by intramuscular injection were induced successfully by challenging SPF chickens, respectively. Non‐enveloped viral particles with a mean diameter of approximately 80 nm were found in the livers of virus‐infected SPF chickens. Our study revealed that HLJFAd15 was identified with the novel genotype strains recently emerging in China by complete genome sequencing, and the strain was capable of causing HPS by the pathogenicity analysis. However, although there is currently no commercial vaccine against the novel genotype FAdV‐4, the animal infection model established in this study was valuable for vaccine evaluation and development.

Development of a reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for the rapid detection of subtype H7N9 avian influenza virus.

A novel influenza A (H7N9) virus has emerged in China. To rapidly detect this virus from clinical samples, we developed a reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) method for the detection of the H7N9 virus. The minimum detection limit of the RT-LAMP assay was 0.01 PFU H7N9 virus, making this method 100-fold more sensitive to the detection of the H7N9 virus than conventional RT-PCR. The H7N9 virus RT-LAMP assays can efficiently detect different sources of H7N9 influenza virus RNA (from chickens, pigeons, the environment, and humans). No cross-reactive amplification with the RNA of other subtype influenza viruses or of other avian respiratory viruses was observed. The assays can effectively detect H7N9 influenza virus RNA in drinking water, soil, cloacal swab, and tracheal swab samples that were collected from live poultry markets, as well as human H7N9 virus, in less than 30 min. These results suggest that the H7N9 virus RT-LAMP assays were efficient, practical, and rapid diagnostic methods for the epidemiological surveillance and diagnosis of influenza A (H7N9) virus from different resource samples.

Novel influenza A(H7N2) virus in chickens, Jilin province, China, 2014.

In February 2014, while investigating the source of a human infection with influenza A(H7N9) virus in northern China, we isolated subtypes H7N2 and H9N2 viruses from chickens on the patient’s farm. Sequence analysis revealed that the H7N2 virus is a novel reassortant of H7N9 and H9N2 viruses. Continued surveillance is needed.

Simultaneous detection of novel H7N9 and other influenza A viruses in poultry by multiplex real-time RT-PCR

BackgroundA novel reassortant H7N9 influenza A virus has crossed the species barrier from poultry to cause human infections in China in 2013 and 2014. Rapid detection of the novel H7N9 virus is important to detect this virus in poultry and reduce the risk of an epidemic in birds or humans.FindingsIn this study, a multiplex real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) assay for rapid detection of H7N9 and other influenza A viruses was developed. To evaluate the assay, various influenza A viruses, other avian respiratory viruses, and 1,070 samples from poultry were tested. Fluorescence signals corresponding to H7 and N9 subtypes were detected only when H7 and N9 subtypes were present, while the fluorescence signal for the influenza A M gene was detected in all specimens with influenza A strains. The fluorescent signal can be detected in dilutions as low as 56 copies per reaction for the H7, N9 and M genes. Intra- and inter-assay variability tests showed a reliable assay. In poultry samples, a comparison of rRT-PCR with virus isolation showed a high level of agreement.ConclusionsThe multiplex rRT-PCR assay in this study has good specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility, and will be useful for laboratory surveillance and rapid diagnosis of H7N9 and other influenza A viruses.

Identification of a novel linear epitope on the NS1 protein of avian influenza virus.

BackgroundThe NS1 protein of avian influenza virus (AIV) is an important virulent factor of AIV. It has been shown to counteract host type I interferon response, to mediate host cell apoptosis, and to regulate the process of protein synthesis. The identification of AIV epitopes on NS1 protein is important for understanding influenza virus pathogenesis.ResultsIn this paper, we describe the generation, identification, and epitope mapping of a NS1 protein-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) D9. First, to induce the production of MAbs, BALB/c mice were immunized with a purified recombinant NS1 expressed in E. coli. The spleen cells from the immunized mice were fused with myeloma cells SP2/0, and through screening via indirect ELISAs, a MAb, named D9, was identified. Western blot assay results showed that MAb D9 reacted strongly with the recombinant NS1. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that this MAb also reacts with NS1 expressed in 293T cells that had been transfected with eukaryotic recombinant plasmids. Results from screening a phage display random 7-mer peptide library with MAb D9 demonstrated that it recognizes phages displaying peptides with the consensus peptide WNLNTV--VS, which closely matches the 182WNDNTVRVS190 of AIV NS1. Further identification of the displayed epitope was performed with a set of truncated polypeptides expressed as glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins, and the motif 182WNDNT186 was defined as the minimal unit of the linear B cell epitope recognized by MAb D9 in western blot assays. Moreover, homology analysis showed that this epitope is a conserved motif among AIV.ConclusionsWe identified a conserved linear epitope, WNDNT, on the AIV NS1 protein that is recognized by MAb D9. This MAb and its epitope may facilitate future studies on NS1 function and aid the development of new diagnostic methods for AIV detection.

Rapid Evolution of H7N9 Highly Pathogenic Viruses that Emerged in China in 2017

H7N9 low pathogenic influenza viruses emerged in China in 2013 and mutated to highly pathogenic strains in 2017, resulting in human infections and disease in chickens. To control spread, a bivalent H5/H7 inactivated vaccine was introduced in poultry in September 2017. To monitor virus evolution and vaccine efficacy, we collected 53,884 poultry samples across China from February 2017 to January 2018. We isolated 252 H7N9 low pathogenic viruses, 69 H7N9 highly pathogenic viruses, and one H7N2 highly pathogenic virus, of which two low pathogenic and 14 highly pathogenic strains were collected after vaccine introduction. Genetic analysis of highly pathogenic strains revealed nine genotypes, one of which is predominant and widespread and contains strains exhibiting high virulence in mice. Additionally, some H7N9 and H7N2 viruses carrying duck virus genes are lethal in ducks. Thus, although vaccination reduced H7N9 infections, the increased virulence and expanded host range to ducks pose new challenges.