Biological characteristics of influenza virus subtype H6N8 isolated from wild birds in the south of Western Siberia

Aim. The aim is to explore the molecular and biological characteristics of influenza virus subtype H6N8.

Material and Methods. Regular collecting of biological samples from wild birds was carried out in 2016 in the south of Western Siberia. Isolation of avian influenza virus strains from birds’ cloacal swabs was performed using three passages in embryonated chicken eggs. Hemagglutination assay was used to detect viruses in the allantoic fluid. Type and subtype of influenza viruses were identified using reverse transcription PCR (RT‐PCR).

Results. This is the first time the avian influenza virus H6N8 subtype has been isolated in Russia. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) segments of A/gadwall/Chany/97/2016(H6N8) strain genome belonged to the Eurasian lineages of avian influenza viruses. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the HA sequence of the strain was closely related to the strain isolated from a duck in Bangladesh in 2015 (A/duck/Bangladesh/25767/2015(H6N1).

Conclusion. Avian influenza viruses subtype H6N8 have the ability to circulate among wild waterfowl and poultry, increasing the chance of reassortment and transmission of H6 virus strains among birds. For this reason, it is of crucial importance to strengthen surveillance for avian influenza H6 subtype among wild birds in the south of Western Siberia. 

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