Indonesia - High Pathogenic Human H5N1 strain found in local tree sparrow

[Gert van der Hoek]

Microbiol Immunol. 2011 Jun 24. doi: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2011.00361.x. [Epub ahead of print]

An H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus isolated from a local tree sparrow in Indonesia.

Poetranto ED, Yamaoka M, Nastri AM, Krisna LA, Rahman MH, Wulandari L, Yudhawati R, Ginting TE, Makino A, Shinya K, Kawaoka Y.



Abstract
We report the isolation of an H5N1 influenza A virus from a tree sparrow (Passer montanus) captured in East Java, Indonesia in 2010.

Its hemagglutinin and neuraminidase were genetically similar to that of human isolates from 2006-2007 in Indonesia.

The finding of a tree sparrow H5N1 virus that possesses genetically similar surface molecules to those of human viruses highlights the importance of monitoring resident wild birds as well as migratory birds for pandemic preparedness.

PubMed



See also:

New Genotype of Avian Influenza H5N1 Viruses Isolated from Tree Sparrows in China

Characterization of a highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4 virus isolated from a tree sparrow.

Differential host gene responses in mice infected with two highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of subtype H5N1 isolated from wild birds in Thailand

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Indonesia - High Pathogenic Human H5N1 strain found in local tree sparrow

Bird Flu Information Corner

An H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus isolated from a local tree sparrow in Indonesia


Posted by Ida on September 1, 2011


Tree sparrows, or burung gereja in bahasa Indonesia, is very common in Indonesia. Last year we found sick tree-sparrows in East Java, apparently because of H5N1 infection. This is a report of our finding, and original paper can be acessed in http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1348-0421.2011.00361.x/pdf.

In May 2010, a few tree sparrows were found debilitated in Sidoarjo City in East Java, Indonesia. In this area, there are no commercial chicken farms, but some traditional duck farms existed. Also, it is near the coast, where many waterfowls gather. The sparrows exhibited clinical symptoms, with central nervous signs, depression, and torticollis.

Yamaoka_et_al_Figure_1. H5N1-infected Indonesia sparrows show debility

Hemorrhage in the lung and brain was found at necropsy. A mixture of trachea, lungs, and colon from one of these sparrows was homogenized in 10 times volume of phosphate-buffered saline containing 5000 units/mL of penicillin and 5 mg/mL of streptomycin.

The supernatant of the homogenate was inoculated into 10-day-old embryonated eggs, and after a 2-day incubation at 37°C, chorioallantoic fluid was harvested. The HA subtype was identified by using the hemagglutinin inhibition assay with anti-H5 chicken serum (Pusvetma, Surabaya, Indonesia).

Phylogenetic analysis of the HA gene sequence (accession number AB621352) of the isolated virus, A/tree sparrow/Indonesia/D10013/2010 (H5N1), (Figure 2) revealed that the HA gene of this virus belongs to clade 2.1.3 and that this virus belongs to the same cluster as viruses isolated from poultry in Indonesia from 2009–2010 (Figure 2; underlined) and viruses isolated from humans in 2006-2007 (Figure 2; double underlined).

The HA sequence identity between the sparrow virus and human viruses, such as A/Indonesia/CDC1031/2007(H5N1) and A/Indonesia/CDC1031RE2/2007(H5N1), was 97%. Phylogenic analysis of the NA gene sequence (accession number AB629947) of the sparrow isolate showed that it belongs to the same cluster as the recent Indonesian human isolates that share 97% identity with human isolate A/Indonesia/CDC1032/2007(H5N1).

Because genetic information regarding H5N1 viruses in Indonesia is limited, these findings will promote a better understanding of the current situation in this country.

Figure2a. HA phylogenetic tree

Figure2b. HA phylogenetic tree

Figure2c. NA phylogenetic tree

Figure2d. NA phylogenetic tree