Abattoirs ; manpower ; Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; immunology ; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype ; immunology ; Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype ; immunology ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; immunology ; Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype ; immunology ; Influenza A virus ; classification ; immunology ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Middle Aged ; Population Surveillance ; methods ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo conduct a full genome sequence analysis for genetic characterization of an H3N8 influenza virus isolated from drinking water of a domestic duck farm in Poyang Lake area in 2011.

METHODSThe virus was cultivated by specific pathogen free (SPF) chicken embryo eggs and was subtyped into hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) by real-time PCR method. Eight gene segments were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was conducted.

RESULTSThe NA gene of this virus belongs to North American lineage; other seven genes belong to Eurasian lineage. Compared with the viruses containing NA gene, the PB2 and PB1 gene came from different clades. And this indicates that the virus was a novel reassortant genotype. The HA receptor binding preference was avian-like and the cleavage site sequence showed a low pathogenic feature. There was no drug resistance mutation of M2 protein. The mutations of Asn30Asp, and Thr215Ala of the M1 protein implied the potential of pathogenicity increase in mice.

CONCLUSIONThe finding of novel genotype of H3N8 virus in drinking water in this duck farm near Poyang Lake highlighted the importance of strengthening the surveillance of avian influenza in this region, which could contribute to pinpointing the influenza ecological relations among avian, swine, and human.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animal Husbandry ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; China ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Drinking Water ; Ducks ; Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Lakes ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Water Microbiology ; Water Pollutants ; isolation & purification