Characterization of H5N1 influenza A virus that caused the first highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Saudi Arabia (SA) experienced a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak in domesticated birds in 2007. Methodology: Forty-three hemagglutinin (HA) and 41 neuraminidase (NA) genes of HPAI H5N1 viruses were sequenced and phylogenetic analyses of completely sequenced genes...

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Main Authors: Ahmed Ali Al-Qahtani, Muhammad Mubin, Fahad N. Almajhdi, Saud Alarifi, Damian M. dela Cruz, Muhammad Shah Nawaz ul Rehman, Mahmoud Moussa Ismail, Nisar Ahmed, Mohamed H. Al-Blowi, Hanif Khalak, Mohammed N. Al-Ahdal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2015-11-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/6546
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author Ahmed Ali Al-Qahtani
Muhammad Mubin
Fahad N. Almajhdi
Saud Alarifi
Damian M. dela Cruz
Muhammad Shah Nawaz ul Rehman
Mahmoud Moussa Ismail
Nisar Ahmed
Mohamed H. Al-Blowi
Hanif Khalak
Mohammed N. Al-Ahdal
author_facet Ahmed Ali Al-Qahtani
Muhammad Mubin
Fahad N. Almajhdi
Saud Alarifi
Damian M. dela Cruz
Muhammad Shah Nawaz ul Rehman
Mahmoud Moussa Ismail
Nisar Ahmed
Mohamed H. Al-Blowi
Hanif Khalak
Mohammed N. Al-Ahdal
author_sort Ahmed Ali Al-Qahtani
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Saudi Arabia (SA) experienced a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak in domesticated birds in 2007. Methodology: Forty-three hemagglutinin (HA) and 41 neuraminidase (NA) genes of HPAI H5N1 viruses were sequenced and phylogenetic analyses of completely sequenced genes were performed to compare with other viral HA and NA gene sequences available in the public databases. Results: Molecular characterization of the H5N1 viruses revealed two genetically distinct clades, 2.2.2 and 2.3.1, of H5N1 viruses circulating in the area. Amino acid sequence analysis of the HA gene indicated that the virus from 2.2.2 contained the sequence SPQGERRRK-R/G at the cleavage site, while the virus from 2.3.1 contained the sequence SPQRERRRK-R/G. Additionally, a few mutations with amino acid substitutions such as M226I at N-link glycosylation site were identified in two of these isolates. Amino acid sequence of the NA gene showed a 20-amino-acid deletion in the NA stalk region, required for enhanced virulence of influenza viruses and its adaptation from wild birds to domestic chickens. As close contact between humans and birds is unavoidable, there is a need for a thorough understanding of the virus epidemiology, factors affecting the spread of the virus, and molecular characterization such as phylogeny and substitution rates of H5N1 viruses circulating in the region. Conclusion: Two genetically distinct clades were found to be circulating in the country, which could likely result in recombination and emergence of more virulent viral strains. These findings could be helpful for the authorities devising control measures against these viruses.
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spelling doaj-art-fb5aa2763c5f473482101f5cd47d29012025-08-20T02:57:04ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802015-11-0191110.3855/jidc.6546Characterization of H5N1 influenza A virus that caused the first highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Saudi ArabiaAhmed Ali Al-Qahtani0Muhammad Mubin1Fahad N. Almajhdi2Saud Alarifi3Damian M. dela Cruz4Muhammad Shah Nawaz ul Rehman5Mahmoud Moussa Ismail6Nisar Ahmed7Mohamed H. Al-Blowi8Hanif Khalak9Mohammed N. Al-Ahdal10Research Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCenter of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PakistanCollege of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCollege of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaResearch Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCenter of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PakistanCollege of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaCenter of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PakistanAnimal Resources Administration, Ministry of Agriculture, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaAdvanced Computing, Weill-Cornell Medical College, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, QatarResearch Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaIntroduction: Saudi Arabia (SA) experienced a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak in domesticated birds in 2007. Methodology: Forty-three hemagglutinin (HA) and 41 neuraminidase (NA) genes of HPAI H5N1 viruses were sequenced and phylogenetic analyses of completely sequenced genes were performed to compare with other viral HA and NA gene sequences available in the public databases. Results: Molecular characterization of the H5N1 viruses revealed two genetically distinct clades, 2.2.2 and 2.3.1, of H5N1 viruses circulating in the area. Amino acid sequence analysis of the HA gene indicated that the virus from 2.2.2 contained the sequence SPQGERRRK-R/G at the cleavage site, while the virus from 2.3.1 contained the sequence SPQRERRRK-R/G. Additionally, a few mutations with amino acid substitutions such as M226I at N-link glycosylation site were identified in two of these isolates. Amino acid sequence of the NA gene showed a 20-amino-acid deletion in the NA stalk region, required for enhanced virulence of influenza viruses and its adaptation from wild birds to domestic chickens. As close contact between humans and birds is unavoidable, there is a need for a thorough understanding of the virus epidemiology, factors affecting the spread of the virus, and molecular characterization such as phylogeny and substitution rates of H5N1 viruses circulating in the region. Conclusion: Two genetically distinct clades were found to be circulating in the country, which could likely result in recombination and emergence of more virulent viral strains. These findings could be helpful for the authorities devising control measures against these viruses. https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/6546influenza virushemagglutininneuraminidasephylogenetic analysisgenetic cladesSaudi Arabia
spellingShingle Ahmed Ali Al-Qahtani
Muhammad Mubin
Fahad N. Almajhdi
Saud Alarifi
Damian M. dela Cruz
Muhammad Shah Nawaz ul Rehman
Mahmoud Moussa Ismail
Nisar Ahmed
Mohamed H. Al-Blowi
Hanif Khalak
Mohammed N. Al-Ahdal
Characterization of H5N1 influenza A virus that caused the first highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Saudi Arabia
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
influenza virus
hemagglutinin
neuraminidase
phylogenetic analysis
genetic clades
Saudi Arabia
title Characterization of H5N1 influenza A virus that caused the first highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Saudi Arabia
title_full Characterization of H5N1 influenza A virus that caused the first highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Saudi Arabia
title_fullStr Characterization of H5N1 influenza A virus that caused the first highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Saudi Arabia
title_full_unstemmed Characterization of H5N1 influenza A virus that caused the first highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Saudi Arabia
title_short Characterization of H5N1 influenza A virus that caused the first highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Saudi Arabia
title_sort characterization of h5n1 influenza a virus that caused the first highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in saudi arabia
topic influenza virus
hemagglutinin
neuraminidase
phylogenetic analysis
genetic clades
Saudi Arabia
url https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/6546
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