Phylogenetic and Pathogenic Analysis of H5N1 and H5N6 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Isolated from Poultry Farms (Layer and Broiler Chickens) in Japan in the 2023/2024 Season

During the 2023–2024 winter, 11 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks caused by clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 and H5N6 HPAI viruses were confirmed in Japanese domestic poultry among 10 prefectures (<i>n</i> = 10 and 1, respectively). In this study, we aimed to genetically and patholo...

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Main Authors: Hayate Nishiura, Asuka Kumagai, Junki Mine, Yoshihiro Takadate, Saki Sakuma, Ryota Tsunekuni, Yuko Uchida, Kohtaro Miyazawa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Viruses
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/12/1956
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author Hayate Nishiura
Asuka Kumagai
Junki Mine
Yoshihiro Takadate
Saki Sakuma
Ryota Tsunekuni
Yuko Uchida
Kohtaro Miyazawa
author_facet Hayate Nishiura
Asuka Kumagai
Junki Mine
Yoshihiro Takadate
Saki Sakuma
Ryota Tsunekuni
Yuko Uchida
Kohtaro Miyazawa
author_sort Hayate Nishiura
collection DOAJ
description During the 2023–2024 winter, 11 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks caused by clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 and H5N6 HPAI viruses were confirmed in Japanese domestic poultry among 10 prefectures (<i>n</i> = 10 and 1, respectively). In this study, we aimed to genetically and pathologically characterize these viruses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that H5N1 viruses were classified into the G2d-0 genotype, whereas the H5N6 virus was a novel genotype in Japan, designated as G2c-12. The G2c-12 virus shared PB2, PB1, PA, HA, and M genes with previous G2c viruses, but had NP and NS genes originating from avian influenza viruses in wild birds abroad. The N6 NA gene was derived from an H5N6 HPAI virus that was different from the viruses responsible for the outbreaks in Japan in 2016–2017 and 2017–2018. Experimental infections in chickens infected with H5N1(G2d-0) and H5N6(G2c-12) HPAI viruses showed no significant differences in the 50% chicken lethal dose, mean death time, or virus shedding from the trachea and cloaca, or in the histopathological findings. Different genotypes of the viruses worldwide, their introduction into the country, and their stable lethality in chickens may have triggered the four consecutive seasons of HPAI outbreaks in Japan.
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spelling doaj-art-48afd1e0d16647a2923be9d1bf0582bf2025-08-20T02:56:55ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152024-12-011612195610.3390/v16121956Phylogenetic and Pathogenic Analysis of H5N1 and H5N6 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Isolated from Poultry Farms (Layer and Broiler Chickens) in Japan in the 2023/2024 SeasonHayate Nishiura0Asuka Kumagai1Junki Mine2Yoshihiro Takadate3Saki Sakuma4Ryota Tsunekuni5Yuko Uchida6Kohtaro Miyazawa7Emerging Virus Group, Division of Zoonosis Research, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba 3050856, JapanEmerging Virus Group, Division of Zoonosis Research, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba 3050856, JapanEmerging Virus Group, Division of Zoonosis Research, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba 3050856, JapanEmerging Virus Group, Division of Zoonosis Research, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba 3050856, JapanEmerging Virus Group, Division of Zoonosis Research, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba 3050856, JapanEmerging Virus Group, Division of Zoonosis Research, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba 3050856, JapanEmerging Virus Group, Division of Zoonosis Research, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba 3050856, JapanEmerging Virus Group, Division of Zoonosis Research, National Institute of Animal Health, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba 3050856, JapanDuring the 2023–2024 winter, 11 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks caused by clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 and H5N6 HPAI viruses were confirmed in Japanese domestic poultry among 10 prefectures (<i>n</i> = 10 and 1, respectively). In this study, we aimed to genetically and pathologically characterize these viruses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that H5N1 viruses were classified into the G2d-0 genotype, whereas the H5N6 virus was a novel genotype in Japan, designated as G2c-12. The G2c-12 virus shared PB2, PB1, PA, HA, and M genes with previous G2c viruses, but had NP and NS genes originating from avian influenza viruses in wild birds abroad. The N6 NA gene was derived from an H5N6 HPAI virus that was different from the viruses responsible for the outbreaks in Japan in 2016–2017 and 2017–2018. Experimental infections in chickens infected with H5N1(G2d-0) and H5N6(G2c-12) HPAI viruses showed no significant differences in the 50% chicken lethal dose, mean death time, or virus shedding from the trachea and cloaca, or in the histopathological findings. Different genotypes of the viruses worldwide, their introduction into the country, and their stable lethality in chickens may have triggered the four consecutive seasons of HPAI outbreaks in Japan.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/12/1956high pathogenicity avian influenza viruspoultry farmswhole genome sequenceH5N1H5N6Japan
spellingShingle Hayate Nishiura
Asuka Kumagai
Junki Mine
Yoshihiro Takadate
Saki Sakuma
Ryota Tsunekuni
Yuko Uchida
Kohtaro Miyazawa
Phylogenetic and Pathogenic Analysis of H5N1 and H5N6 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Isolated from Poultry Farms (Layer and Broiler Chickens) in Japan in the 2023/2024 Season
Viruses
high pathogenicity avian influenza virus
poultry farms
whole genome sequence
H5N1
H5N6
Japan
title Phylogenetic and Pathogenic Analysis of H5N1 and H5N6 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Isolated from Poultry Farms (Layer and Broiler Chickens) in Japan in the 2023/2024 Season
title_full Phylogenetic and Pathogenic Analysis of H5N1 and H5N6 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Isolated from Poultry Farms (Layer and Broiler Chickens) in Japan in the 2023/2024 Season
title_fullStr Phylogenetic and Pathogenic Analysis of H5N1 and H5N6 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Isolated from Poultry Farms (Layer and Broiler Chickens) in Japan in the 2023/2024 Season
title_full_unstemmed Phylogenetic and Pathogenic Analysis of H5N1 and H5N6 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Isolated from Poultry Farms (Layer and Broiler Chickens) in Japan in the 2023/2024 Season
title_short Phylogenetic and Pathogenic Analysis of H5N1 and H5N6 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Isolated from Poultry Farms (Layer and Broiler Chickens) in Japan in the 2023/2024 Season
title_sort phylogenetic and pathogenic analysis of h5n1 and h5n6 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus isolated from poultry farms layer and broiler chickens in japan in the 2023 2024 season
topic high pathogenicity avian influenza virus
poultry farms
whole genome sequence
H5N1
H5N6
Japan
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/12/1956
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