http://hdl.handle.net/1903/1605 2013-05-25T12:18:35Z 2013-05-25T12:18:35Z Kimble, Brian Ramirez Nieto, Gloria Perez, Daniel R http://hdl.handle.net/1903/13362 2013-01-11T03:37:51Z 2010-12-09T00:00:00Z

Title: Characterization of influenza virus sialic acid receptors in minor poultry species Authors: Kimble, Brian; Ramirez Nieto, Gloria; Perez, Daniel R Abstract: It is commonly accepted that avian influenza viruses (AIVs) bind to terminal a2,3 sialic acid (SA) residues whereas human influenza viruses bind to a2,6 SA residues. By a series of amino acid changes on the HA surface protein, AIVs can switch receptor specificity and recognize a2,6 SA positive cells, including human respiratory epithelial cells. Animal species, like pigs and Japanese quail, that contain both a2,3 and a2,6 SA become ideal environments for receptor switching. Here, we describe the SA patterns and distributions in 6 common minor domestic poultry species: Peking duck, Toulouse geese, Chinese ring-neck pheasant, white midget turkey, bobwhite quail, and pearl guinea fowl. Lectins specific to a2,3 and a2,6 SA (Maakia amurensis agglutinin and Sambuca nigra agglutinin, respectively) were used to detect SA by an alkaline phosphotase-based method and a fluorescent-based method. Differences in SA moieties and their ability to bind influenza viruses were visualized by fluorescent labeling of 4 different H3N2 influenza viruses known to be specific for one receptor or the other. The geese and ducks showed a2,3 SA throughout the respiratory tract and marginal a2,6 SA only in the colon. The four other avian species showed both a2,3 and a2,6 SA in the respiratory tract and the intestines. Furthermore, the turkey respiratory tract showed a positive correlation between age and a2,6 SA levels. The fact that these birds have both avian and human flu receptors, combined with their common presence in backyard farms and live bird markets worldwide, mark them as potential mixing bowl species and necessitates improved surveillance and additional research about the role of these birds in influenza host switching.

2010-12-09T00:00:00Z Cai, Yibin Song, Haichen Ye, Jianqiang Shao, Hongxia Padmanabhan, Rangarajan Sutton, Troy C Perez, Daniel R http://hdl.handle.net/1903/13360 2013-01-11T03:37:21Z 2011-01-21T00:00:00Z

Title: Improved hatchability and efficient protection after in ovo vaccination with live-attenuated H7N2 and H9N2 avian influenza viruses Authors: Cai, Yibin; Song, Haichen; Ye, Jianqiang; Shao, Hongxia; Padmanabhan, Rangarajan; Sutton, Troy C; Perez, Daniel R Abstract: Mass in ovo vaccination with live attenuated viruses is widely used in the poultry industry to protect against various infectious diseases. The worldwide outbreaks of low pathogenic and highly pathogenic avian influenza highlight the pressing need for the development of similar mass vaccination strategies against avian influenza viruses. We have previously shown that a genetically modified live attenuated avian influenza virus (LAIV) was amenable for in ovo vaccination and provided optimal protection against H5 HPAI viruses. However, in ovo vaccination against other subtypes resulted in poor hatchability and, therefore, seemed impractical. In this study, we modified the H7 and H9 hemagglutinin (HA) proteins by substituting the amino acids at the cleavage site for those found in the H6 HA subtype. We found that with this modification, a single dose in ovo vaccination of 18- day old eggs provided complete protection against homologous challenge with low pathogenic virus in ≥70% of chickens at 2 or 6 weeks post-hatching. Further, inoculation of 19-day old egg embryos with 10 6 EID50 of LAIVs improved hatchability to ≥90% (equivalent to unvaccinated controls) with similar levels of protection. Our findings indicate that the strategy of modifying the HA cleavage site combined with the LAIV backbone could be used for in ovo vaccination against avian influenza. Importantly, with protection conferred as early as 2 weeks post-hatching, with this strategy birds would be protected prior to or at the time of delivery to a farm or commercial operation.

2011-01-21T00:00:00Z Mohamed, Mahmoud HA Kumar, Sachin Paldurai, Anandan Samal, Siba K http://hdl.handle.net/1903/13355 2013-01-11T03:36:20Z 2011-05-18T00:00:00Z

Title: Sequence analysis of fusion protein gene of Newcastle disease virus isolated from outbreaks in Egypt during 2006 Authors: Mohamed, Mahmoud HA; Kumar, Sachin; Paldurai, Anandan; Samal, Siba K Abstract: Background: Newcastle disease virus represents APMV-1 and is the most characterized among all APMV types. The F protein cleavage site sequence is a well-characterized determinant of NDV pathogenicity in chickens. In this study, the sequences of fusion protein (F) gene of three Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains isolated from outbreak in chickens in the Al-Sharkia province of Egypt in 2006 were determined. Findings: The viral genomic RNAs were extracted from the infective allantoic fluid and F gene is amplified using primer sets designed from the available sequences of NDV strains from GenBank. The pathogenicity of NDV strains was determined by three internationally recognized tests mean death time, intracerebral pathogenicity index, and intravenous pathogenicity index. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the Egypt isolates are closely related with the genotype II of class II NDV strains. Conclusions: The sequences of the F genes of the 2006 Egypt isolates are closely related to that of the 2005 Egypt isolate from the same province suggesting that these strains are probably circulating in the vaccinated bird population in Egypt until development of an outbreak.

2011-05-18T00:00:00Z