Genetic characterization of H9N2 avian influenza virus in plateau pikas in the Qinghai Lake region of China

Arch Virol. 2017 Apr;162(4):1025-1029. doi: 10.1007/s00705-016-3176-1. Epub 2016 Dec 18.

Abstract

Qinghai Lake is a major migratory-bird breeding site that has experienced several highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (AIV) epizootics. Plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) have previously been implicated in the ecology of avian influenza virus in this region. We first isolated an H9N2 AIV (A/Pika/Menyuan/01/2008) from plateau pikas between November 2008 and October 2009. Sequence analysis showed that the A/Pika/Menyuan/01/2008 AIV was closely related to the H9N2 AIV strain (A/Turkey/Wisconsin/ 1/1966). Our findings suggested that plateau pikas may contribute to AIV epidemiology in the Qinghai Lake region.

Keywords: Avian influenza virus; H9N2; Plateau pika; Qinghai Lake.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild / virology
  • Bird Diseases / transmission*
  • Bird Diseases / virology
  • Chick Embryo
  • China
  • Disease Reservoirs / veterinary*
  • Disease Reservoirs / virology
  • Disease Vectors
  • Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype / classification
  • Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype / genetics*
  • Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype / isolation & purification*
  • Lagomorpha / virology*
  • Lakes
  • Phylogeny
  • Viral Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Viral Proteins