Molecular characteristics of H9N2 influenza viruses isolated from farmed raccoon dogs and arctic foxes in China

• Published in: Research in veterinary science Vol. 135; no. C; pp. 542 - 546
• Main Authors: Qian, Zhu, Shou-yu, Guo, Feng-xia, Zhang, Peng, Yuan, Wen-jian, Shi, Jian-liang, Li, Jiang, Shijin, Zhi-jing, Xie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2021; Elsevier Limited; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal euthanasia; Arctic foxes; Disease; Dogs; Foxes; Genes; H9N2; HA receptors; Influenza; Influenza a virus; Investigations; Mutation; Orthomyxoviridae; Pandemics; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; Polar environments; Poultry; Proteins; Raccoon dogs; Veterinary medicine; Viruses; United States > US; China; Raccoon dogs; HA receptors; Influenza a virus; H9N2; Arctic foxes
• ISSN: 0034-5288; 1532-2661
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.11.006

In this study, eight H9N2 IAVs were isolated from infected diseased, farmed raccoon dogs and arctic foxes. Eight genes shared 98.6%–100% identity among the isolates possessing a PSRSSR/GL motif at the HA cleavage site, which is same as the motif of G1 and Y280 lineages of H9N2 IAVs. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the HA genes of the eight isolates clustered with Y280-like viruses, whereas the NA genes belonged to F/98-like sublineage. Interestingly, the NS, NP, PB2 and PA genes of the isolates were closely related to H7N9 IAVs. This is the first evidence for isolation of H9N2 IAVs from raccoon dogs and arctic foxes. Raccoon dogs and arctic foxes potentially serve as an intermediate host for influenza viruses with pandemic potential toward other animals due to co-expression of both SA α-2,6-Gal and SA α-2,3-Gal receptors in a wide range of their tissues. •H9N2 IAVs productively infected caged raccoon dogs and arctic foxes.•The H9N2 isolates are reassortants beween the G1 and Y280 lineages.•Both SA α2,3-Gal and SA α2,6-Gal receptors are present in tissues of raccoon dogs and arctic foxes.