Cross-protection and reassortment studies with avian H2 influenza viruses

• Published in: Archives of virology Vol. 145; no. 6; pp. 1059 - 1066
• Main Authors: Kaverin, N V, Smirnov, Y A, Govorkova, E A, Rudneva, I A, Gitelman, A K, Lipatov, A S, Varich, N L, Yamnikova, S S, Makarova, N V, Webster, R G, Lvov, D K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Austria Springer Nature B.V 01.01.2000
• Subjects: Animals; Avian influenza virus; b-Propiolactone; Chick Embryo; Cross Reactions; Immunization; Influenza A virus - genetics; Influenza A virus - immunology; Influenza A virus - pathogenicity; Influenza Vaccines - immunology; Mice; Orthomyxoviridae Infections - immunology; Orthomyxoviridae Infections - prevention & control; Reassortant Viruses - genetics; Reassortant Viruses - immunology; Vaccines, Attenuated - immunology
• ISSN: 0304-8608; 1432-8798
• DOI: 10.1007/s007050070109

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.