Cross-protection and reassortment studies with avian H2 influenza viruses

In order to assess the degree of immune cross-protection among avian H2 influenza virus strains, mice were immunised with beta-propiolactone-inactivated virus preparations and infected intranasally with mouse-adapted variant of A/Black Duck/New Jersey/1580/78 (H2N3) strain. The experiments with 11 avian H2 strains revealed that both Eurasian and American H2 avian influenza viruses exhibit either high or moderate degree of cross-protection. The grouping of the strains in accordance with their cross-protection efficiency does not coincide with H2 phylogenetic branches. Several reassortant clones were obtained with the use of A/Pintail Duck/Primorie/695/76 (H2N3) strain and high-yield X-67 reassortant as parent viruses, among them a high-yield H2N3 reassortant. Taking into account the data on cross-protection among avian H2 strains, the high-yield H2N3 reassortant may be regarded as a prototype strain to be used for the preparation of killed vaccines in the case of a new appearance of avian H2 haemagglutinin in circulation in humans.