Hong Kong Med J 2010;16(Suppl 4):S27-8
Genetic characterisation of H5N1 viruses isolated from different regions of southern China
Y Guan
State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
1. H5N1 viruses in different types of poultry in southern China and Southeast Asia have spread throughout South East Asia, Europe and Africa.
2. Multiple sublineages of H5N1 viruses were established in different regions. These sublineages were genetically and antigenically distinct, for which reason and based on our study, the World Health Organization selected different pandemic vaccine candidates.
3. Based on the recognition of multiple regional sublineages, a prediction of H5N1 spread to Europe was proposed.
4. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Gs/Gd-like H5N1 was most likely derived from a low pathogenic H5 virus strain from migratory birds.
5. Some H5N1 novel reassortants contain internal genes that are only closely related to viruses isolated during 1970s, which suggests an unnatural evolutionary pathway.
2. Multiple sublineages of H5N1 viruses were established in different regions. These sublineages were genetically and antigenically distinct, for which reason and based on our study, the World Health Organization selected different pandemic vaccine candidates.
3. Based on the recognition of multiple regional sublineages, a prediction of H5N1 spread to Europe was proposed.
4. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Gs/Gd-like H5N1 was most likely derived from a low pathogenic H5 virus strain from migratory birds.
5. Some H5N1 novel reassortants contain internal genes that are only closely related to viruses isolated during 1970s, which suggests an unnatural evolutionary pathway.