Analysis of the Monophyletic Lineage of Avian Influenza H5N1 Which Circulated in Venezuelan Birds During the 2022–2023 Outbreak

Avian influenza subtype H5N1 has caused outbreaks worldwide since 1996, with the emergence of the Guandong lineage in China. The current clade 2.3.4.4b has evolved from this lineage, with increased virulence and mass mortality events in birds and mammals. The objective of this study was the analysis...

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Main Authors: Carmen Luisa Loureiro, Valeria Bonetti, Rossana C. Jaspe, Yoneira Sulbaran, Wilmer Alcazar, Carlos Hernández, Nardraka Rodríguez, Hector R. Rangel, Jose Luis Zambrano, Flor H. Pujol
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/12/2519
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author Carmen Luisa Loureiro
Valeria Bonetti
Rossana C. Jaspe
Yoneira Sulbaran
Wilmer Alcazar
Carlos Hernández
Nardraka Rodríguez
Hector R. Rangel
Jose Luis Zambrano
Flor H. Pujol
author_facet Carmen Luisa Loureiro
Valeria Bonetti
Rossana C. Jaspe
Yoneira Sulbaran
Wilmer Alcazar
Carlos Hernández
Nardraka Rodríguez
Hector R. Rangel
Jose Luis Zambrano
Flor H. Pujol
author_sort Carmen Luisa Loureiro
collection DOAJ
description Avian influenza subtype H5N1 has caused outbreaks worldwide since 1996, with the emergence of the Guandong lineage in China. The current clade 2.3.4.4b has evolved from this lineage, with increased virulence and mass mortality events in birds and mammals. The objective of this study was the analysis of 17 viral genomes of H5N1 avian influenza isolated in Venezuela during the 2022–2023 outbreak. The eight viral genomic segments were amplified using universal primers and sequenced via next-generation sequencing. The sequences were analyzed to confirm the H5 hemagglutinin clade, identify possible genetic reassortments, and perform a phylogenetic and docking analysis of the viral isolates. The viruses found in Venezuela belonged, as expected, to clade 2.3.4.4b and formed a monophyletic clade with North American influenza viruses, with no evidence of further reassortment. The introduction of the virus in South America is associated with bird migration through the Atlantic (Venezuela), Atlantic/Mississippi (Choco, Colombia), and Pacific migratory flyways, with the emergence of several viral lineages. Several mutations were found in all segments of the genome, although none of the key mutations was involved in mammalian adaptation. Moreover, in silico structural analysis suggests, as expected, that the viral hemagglutinin maintained a predilection for avian α2,3-linked sialic acid. The unprecedented pathogenic outbreak of avian influenza disease in South America was associated with the circulation of three different lineages, which maintain a lower affinity for the mammalian receptor.
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spelling doaj-art-1d777d4e36954d1586e386ea53ba73b82025-08-20T02:43:43ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072024-12-011212251910.3390/microorganisms12122519Analysis of the Monophyletic Lineage of Avian Influenza H5N1 Which Circulated in Venezuelan Birds During the 2022–2023 OutbreakCarmen Luisa Loureiro0Valeria Bonetti1Rossana C. Jaspe2Yoneira Sulbaran3Wilmer Alcazar4Carlos Hernández5Nardraka Rodríguez6Hector R. Rangel7Jose Luis Zambrano8Flor H. Pujol9Laboratorio de Virologia Molecular, Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular (CMBC), Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas 1020, VenezuelaLaboratorio de Virologia Molecular, Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular (CMBC), Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas 1020, VenezuelaLaboratorio de Virologia Molecular, Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular (CMBC), Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas 1020, VenezuelaLaboratorio de Virologia Molecular, Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular (CMBC), Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas 1020, VenezuelaInstituto Nacional de Salud Agricola Integral (INSAI), Maracay 2101, VenezuelaInstituto Nacional de Salud Agricola Integral (INSAI), Maracay 2101, VenezuelaInstituto Nacional de Salud Agricola Integral (INSAI), Maracay 2101, VenezuelaLaboratorio de Virologia Molecular, Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular (CMBC), Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas 1020, VenezuelaLaboratorio de Virologia Celular, Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular (CMBC), Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas 1020, VenezuelaLaboratorio de Virologia Molecular, Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular (CMBC), Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas 1020, VenezuelaAvian influenza subtype H5N1 has caused outbreaks worldwide since 1996, with the emergence of the Guandong lineage in China. The current clade 2.3.4.4b has evolved from this lineage, with increased virulence and mass mortality events in birds and mammals. The objective of this study was the analysis of 17 viral genomes of H5N1 avian influenza isolated in Venezuela during the 2022–2023 outbreak. The eight viral genomic segments were amplified using universal primers and sequenced via next-generation sequencing. The sequences were analyzed to confirm the H5 hemagglutinin clade, identify possible genetic reassortments, and perform a phylogenetic and docking analysis of the viral isolates. The viruses found in Venezuela belonged, as expected, to clade 2.3.4.4b and formed a monophyletic clade with North American influenza viruses, with no evidence of further reassortment. The introduction of the virus in South America is associated with bird migration through the Atlantic (Venezuela), Atlantic/Mississippi (Choco, Colombia), and Pacific migratory flyways, with the emergence of several viral lineages. Several mutations were found in all segments of the genome, although none of the key mutations was involved in mammalian adaptation. Moreover, in silico structural analysis suggests, as expected, that the viral hemagglutinin maintained a predilection for avian α2,3-linked sialic acid. The unprecedented pathogenic outbreak of avian influenza disease in South America was associated with the circulation of three different lineages, which maintain a lower affinity for the mammalian receptor.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/12/2519avian influenzaSouth Americaclade 2.3.4.4bmortalityavian receptor
spellingShingle Carmen Luisa Loureiro
Valeria Bonetti
Rossana C. Jaspe
Yoneira Sulbaran
Wilmer Alcazar
Carlos Hernández
Nardraka Rodríguez
Hector R. Rangel
Jose Luis Zambrano
Flor H. Pujol
Analysis of the Monophyletic Lineage of Avian Influenza H5N1 Which Circulated in Venezuelan Birds During the 2022–2023 Outbreak
Microorganisms
avian influenza
South America
clade 2.3.4.4b
mortality
avian receptor
title Analysis of the Monophyletic Lineage of Avian Influenza H5N1 Which Circulated in Venezuelan Birds During the 2022–2023 Outbreak
title_full Analysis of the Monophyletic Lineage of Avian Influenza H5N1 Which Circulated in Venezuelan Birds During the 2022–2023 Outbreak
title_fullStr Analysis of the Monophyletic Lineage of Avian Influenza H5N1 Which Circulated in Venezuelan Birds During the 2022–2023 Outbreak
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of the Monophyletic Lineage of Avian Influenza H5N1 Which Circulated in Venezuelan Birds During the 2022–2023 Outbreak
title_short Analysis of the Monophyletic Lineage of Avian Influenza H5N1 Which Circulated in Venezuelan Birds During the 2022–2023 Outbreak
title_sort analysis of the monophyletic lineage of avian influenza h5n1 which circulated in venezuelan birds during the 2022 2023 outbreak
topic avian influenza
South America
clade 2.3.4.4b
mortality
avian receptor
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/12/2519
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