Characterization of a Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (H6N1) Isolated from Turkeys

• Published in: Influenza Research and Treatment Vol. 2011; no. 2011; pp. 31 - 37
• Main Authors: Lapin, E., Perk, S., Shkoda, I., Davidson, I., Inbar, A., Geva, Z., Rosenbluth, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Limiteds 2011; Hindawi Puplishing Corporation; Hindawi Publishing Corporation
• ISSN: 2090-1380; 2090-1399; 2090-1399
• DOI: 10.1155/2011/285218

An avian influenza virus (AIV), A/turkey/Israel/09 subtype H6N1, was isolated from turkey poults exhibiting typical pathology associated with AIV infection. The virus was characterized by RT-PCR using AIV subtype-specific primers and by the haemagglutination inhibition test using AIV subtype-specific antisera. The virus has an intravenous pathogenicity index of 0 and possessed a nucleotide sequence at the cleavage site of the hemagglutinin gene, PQIETR*GLF, associated with avian influenza viruses of low pathogenicity. Unlike the two previous H6N2 isolates originating from domestic ducks and mallard, the A/turkey/Israel/09 (H6N1) was isolated from turkeys. The gene sequences of the A/turkey/Israel/09 (H6N1) virus show divergence from the former Israeli H6 isolates.