OmniVira

Characterization of the haemagglutinin properties of the H5N1 avian influenza virus that caused human infections in Cambodia.

Pengxiang Chang1 Jiayun Yang1 Thusitha K Karunarathna1,2 Mehnaz Qureshi1,3 Jean-Remy Sadeyen1 Munir Iqbal1
Affiliations 3 institutions
  1. The Pirbright Institute, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK.
  2. Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane North Mymms, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK.
  3. Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 3RF, UK.
PMID37526446 DOI10.1080/22221751.2023.2244091 Year2023 Journal Emerging microbes & infections Emerg Microbes Infect Languageeng Statusppublish

Abstract

High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 is a subtype of the influenza A virus primarily found in birds. The subtype emerged in China in 1996 and has spread globally, causing significant morbidity and mortality in birds and humans. In Cambodia, a lethal case was reported in February 2023 involving an 11-year-old girl, marking the first human HPAI H5N1 infection in the country since 2014. This research examined the zoonotic potential of the human H5N1 isolate, A/Cambodia/NPH230032/2023 (KHM/23), by assessing its receptor binding, fusion pH, HA thermal stability, and antigenicity. Results showed that KHM/23 exhibits similar receptor binding and antigenicity as the early clade 2.3.2.1c HPAI H5N1 strain, and it does not bind to human-like receptors. Despite showing limited zoonotic risk, the increased thermal stability and reduced pH of fusion in KHM/23 indicate a potential threat to poultry, emphasizing the need for vigilant monitoring.

Supporting text Virus Host Location
antigenicity 10 Cambodia 12 fusion pH 1 haemagglutinin thermal stability 1 High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 1 poultry 130 receptor binding 30 zoonotic fatal Infections 1 Influenza A virus 186 Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype 300 Influenza in Birds 341 Influenza, Human 286 Animals 1948 Cambodia 12 Child 42 Female 289 Hemagglutinins 24 Humans 1440

Evidence records

2 total
Functional Mechanism
2 records · 1 evidence types
Evidence type Receptor Usage
2 records
OVE7228 Receptor Usage
Key finding

A fatal case of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 occurred in Cambodia in February 2023, indicating an animal-to-human spillover.

Virus
Influenza A virus H5N1
Host
birds Aves Natural host human Homo sapiens Natural host
Location
Cambodia
Supporting text

In Cambodia, a lethal case was reported in February 2023 involving an 11-year-old girl, marking the first human HPAI H5N1 infection in the country since 2014.

Method
virus isolation | genomic characterization | receptor binding assays
Receptors
human-like receptors
OVE7229 Receptor Usage
Key finding

The H5N1 isolate A/Cambodia/NPH230032/2023 (KHM/23) does not bind to human-like receptors but shows receptor binding similar to early clade 2.3.2.1c H5N1.

Virus
Influenza A virus H5N1
Host
human Homo sapiens Experimental system
Location
Not specified
Supporting text

Results showed that KHM/23 exhibits similar receptor binding and antigenicity as the early clade 2.3.2.1c HPAI H5N1 strain, and it does not bind to human-like receptors.

Method
receptor binding assay
Receptors
human-like receptors