The Evolutionary Genetics and Emergence of Avian Influenza Viruses in Wild Birds

Vivien G. Dugan(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases), Rubing Chen(Pennsylvania State University), David Spiro(J. Craig Venter Institute), Naomi Sengamalay(J. Craig Venter Institute), Jennifer Zaborsky(J. Craig Venter Institute), Elodie Ghedin(University of Pittsburgh), Jacqueline M. Nolting(The Ohio State University), David E. Swayne(Agricultural Research Service), Jonathan A. Runstadler(University of Alaska Fairbanks), George M. Happ(University of Alaska Fairbanks), Dennis A. Senne(Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service), Ruixue Wang(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases), Richard D. Slemons(The Ohio State University), Edward C. Holmes(National Institutes of Health), Jeffery K. Taubenberger(National Institutes of Health)
PLoS Pathogens
May 29, 2008
10.1371/journal.ppat.1000076
Cited by 402Open Access
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Abstract

We surveyed the genetic diversity among avian influenza virus (AIV) in wild birds, comprising 167 complete viral genomes from 14 bird species sampled in four locations across the United States. These isolates represented 29 type A influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) subtype combinations, with up to 26% of isolates showing evidence of mixed subtype infection. Through a phylogenetic analysis of the largest data set of AIV genomes compiled to date, we were able to document a remarkably high rate of genome reassortment, with no clear pattern of gene segment association and occasional inter-hemisphere gene segment migration and reassortment. From this, we propose that AIV in wild birds forms transient "genome constellations," continually reshuffled by reassortment, in contrast to the spread of a limited number of stable genome constellations that characterizes the evolution of mammalian-adapted influenza A viruses.

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