Subtype and host diversity of IAV isolates from wild birds in Argentina in 2017-2018.

DECARRE, JULIETA; RIMONDI A.; GONZALEZ-REICHE, ANA S.; PEREDA A.; OLIVERA, VALERIA S.; PEREZ, DANIEL R.

Columbus

Encuentro; CEIRS Surveillance Meeting 2019; 2019

Center of Excellence in Influenza Research and Surveillance

Recently, we have described twenty two influenza A virus (IAV) isolates obtained from ten-year surveillance in Argentina (2006-2016). Independently of viral subtype (Argentinean viruses have glycoproteins from North American and South American lineages), the backbone of all these viruses belonged exclusively to the South American lineage. This result evidenced the circulation of a fixed internal gene constellation in IAV isolated from wild birds in Argentina to date. In order to further explore the particular ecology of Argentinean IAVs, 1391 bird samples from 2017-2018 were screened by RT-qPCR and positive samples were processed for virus isolation in SPF chicken eggs. Here we report the isolationand full genome characterization of twelve new low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses from eight different wild ducks pecies in Argentina: H1N1 (2), H2N1 (3), H4N6 (n=3), H5N3, H6N2 and H9N2 (2). To our knowledge, this is the first isolation and genome characterization of H2N1 Subtype from wild birds in Argentina. In addition, four previously unknown IAV hosts were also identified: Amazonetta brasiliensis (Brazilian teal), Anas bahamensis (white-cheeked pintail), Anas platalea (red shoveler) and Callonetta leucophrys (ringed teal).