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Rapid Diagnosis of Avian Influenza Virus in Wild Birds: Use of a Portable rRT-PCR and Freeze-dried Reagents in the Field
Published on: August 2, 2011
An avian influenza A virus killing a mammalian species--the mink. Brief report
Archives of Virology
|January 1, 1985
Abstract:
During October of 1984 an influenza epidemic occurred on mink farms in the coastal region of South Sweden. Six strains of an influenza A virus were isolated. All six isolates were of the H 10 subtype in combination with N4. The H 10 subtype in combination with various N subtypes was hitherto only known to occur in avian strains, the prototype being the A/chicken/Germany/N/49 (H 10N7) virus.
Insights
An influenza A virus epidemic in Swedish mink farms revealed novel H10N4 strains. This subtype was previously only observed in avian influenza viruses, indicating a potential host jump.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Influenza A viruses are known to cause epidemics in various animal populations.
- The H10 subtype of influenza A virus, in combination with different neuraminidase (N) subtypes, has historically been documented primarily in avian species.
- The prototype avian strain is A/chicken/Germany/N/49 (H10N7).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an influenza epidemic occurring on mink farms in South Sweden during October 1984.
- To characterize the isolated influenza A virus strains.
- To determine the subtype of the isolated influenza A viruses.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of influenza A virus strains from affected mink farms.
- Subtyping of the isolated influenza A viruses based on hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) antigens.
Main Results:
- Six strains of influenza A virus were successfully isolated during the epidemic.
- All six isolates were identified as belonging to the H10 subtype.
- The neuraminidase subtype for all isolates was determined to be N4.
Conclusions:
- The study identified a novel influenza A virus subtype, H10N4, circulating in a mink population.
- This finding is significant as the H10 subtype with various N subtypes was previously known only in avian influenza strains.
- The presence of H10N4 in mink suggests a potential cross-species transmission event from avian sources to mammals.
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