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

Abstract

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.

Evolution and pathogenicity of H6 avian influenza viruses isolated from Southern China during 2011 to 2017 in mice and chickens

“…The pathological changes observed in the early cases were primarily associated with mild respiratory infections, but yolk peritonitis had become the main feature of all the subsequent cases through 2001 and 2002 13 . In 2009, H6N1 AIV was isolated once again from turkey exhibiting typical signs associated with AIV infection in Israel 14 .…”