Volume 25, Number 10—October 2019
Dispatch
Genetic Characterization and Zoonotic Potential of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus A(H5N6/H5N5), Germany, 2017–2018
Anne Pohlmann1, Donata Hoffmann1, Christian Grund, Susanne Koethe, Daniela Hüssy, Simone M. Meier, Jacqueline King, Jan Schinköthe, Reiner Ulrich, Timm Harder, and Martin Beer
Table
Viral RNA loads in nasal washing samples from ferrets infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N6/H5N5) clade 2.3.4.4b virus isolates from Germany, 2017–2018, and seroconversion in study assessing virus zoonotic risk*
| Group | Day postinfection, viral RNA load, genome copies/µL |
Seroconversion† | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | ||
| Controls |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
| H5N5 |
– | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 100.6 | ND‡ | +/−§ |
| – | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.1 | – | – | + | |
| – | 1.9 | 0.9 | 2.9 | – | – | + | |
| – | 1.2 | – | 0.1 | – | – | + | |
| – |
0.1 |
– |
8.2 |
0.9 |
– |
+ |
|
| H5N6 | – | – | 0.8 | 1.3 | 1.3 | – | + |
| – | 0.2 | 1.9 | 13.8 | 3.2 | – | + | |
| – | 0.2 | – | 0.2 | 0.2 | – | + | |
| – | – | – | – | – | – | + | |
| – | 0 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 4.2 | – | + | |
*ND, not done; –, negative.
†Seroconversion measured with sensitive nucleoprotein ELISA (ID Screen Influenza A Antibody Competition ELISA Kit; ID.Vet, https://www.id-vet.com) with day 14 or 7 serum sample, depending on day of animal sacrifice, and compared with preinoculation serum sample.
‡Sacrificed day 7 because animal displayed neurologic symptoms.
§Reaction interpreted as reactive but not positive.
1These authors contributed equally to this article.
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Page updated: September 17, 2019
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