Literature detail

Zoonotic infections and genomic evolution of novel reassortant swine influenza A viruses in Spain.

Paloma A Encinas Brady O'Boyle Alexander Maksaiev Martha I Nelson Adolfo García-Sastre Gustavo Del Real
PMID 42244724 2026 bioRxiv eng epublish
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Article

Publication summary

Influenza A virus (IAV) circulates widely in European pig populations and continues to diversify through frequent introductions from humans, followed by reassortment within swine. Spain represents a particularly dynamic ecological setting due to the coexistence of intensive white⍰pig production, extensive Iberian⍰pig systems, and abundant wild boar populations. This study provides an integrated analysis of IAV evolution and genomic diversity in swine in Spain between 2019 and 2022, expanding on previous surveillance from 2016 to 2019. Sampling across 24 provinces yielded 66 new whole⍰genome sequences from Iberian and white pigs. We identified 18 genotypes, including 11 novel reassortants not detected in our previous survey. Several genotypes, such as H1huN2 G21 and G22, H3N2 G23, and the unusual H3N1 G12, were exclusive to the country. Some genotypes were detected across white pigs, Iberian pigs, and wild boar in Toledo and Badajoz, suggesting viral flow among swine populations. Phylogenetic analyses revealed ongoing introductions of H1N1pdm09 from humans into pigs, generating at least five reassortant genotypes (G10, G16-G19). These lineages incorporated pandemic internal cassettes and, in some cases, human⍰seasonal N2 segments, highlighting the continued role of humans as a source of viral incursions. Conversely, four zoonotic infections (H1N1v) detected in Spain between 2022 and 2026 were linked to genotypes circulating in white pigs, underscoring the bidirectional nature of IAV transmission at the human swine interface. Overall, this study demonstrates that Spain provides ecological conditions conducive to IAV diversification, reassortment, and zoonotic risk. The findings reinforce the need for sustained One Health surveillance. Novel swine influenza virus (SIV) genotypes exclusive to SpainPhylogenetic analysis of genomic segments of zoonotic variants of swine origin detected in Spain since 2022Shared circulation of influenza A compatible with interbreed transmission among domestic pigs and wild boar.

Structured evidence records

Evidence records

4 total
2 records
Extraction confidence 0.92
Key finding

Phylogenetic analyses showed introductions of H1N1pdm09 from humans into pigs in Spain, generating multiple reassortant genotypes.

Virus
Location
Supporting text

Phylogenetic analyses revealed ongoing introductions of H1N1pdm09 from humans into pigs, generating at least five reassortant genotypes (G10, G16-G19).

Method
whole genome sequencing | phylogenetic analysis
Sample type
swine samples
Study design
phylogenetic analysis
Transmission direction
human-to-animal
Event type
human-to-swine introduction
Geographic raw
Spain
Country inferred
ESP
Genes or proteins
internal segments | N2 segment
Mechanism types
reassortment
Extraction confidence 0.85
Key finding

Influenza A genotypes were shared across white pigs, Iberian pigs, and wild boar in Spain, suggesting viral flow among swine populations.

Virus
Location
Supporting text

Some genotypes were detected across white pigs, Iberian pigs, and wild boar in Toledo and Badajoz, suggesting viral flow among swine populations.

Method
whole genome sequencing | phylogenetic analysis
Study design
field surveillance
Transmission direction
animal-to-animal
Event type
intra-swine species viral flow
Geographic raw
Spain | Toledo | Badajoz
Country inferred
ESP
1 records
Extraction confidence 0.90
Key finding

Reassortant genotypes in pigs incorporated pandemic internal cassettes and human seasonal N2 segments, indicating cross-origin genome mixing.

Virus
Location
Supporting text

These lineages incorporated pandemic internal cassettes and, in some cases, human seasonal N2 segments, highlighting the continued role of humans as a source of viral incursions.

Method
whole genome sequencing | phylogenetic analysis
Sample type
swine samples
Study design
genomic surveillance
Transmission direction
molecular mechanism only
Event type
genomic reassortment among human and swine influenza strains
Geographic raw
Spain
Country inferred
ESP
Genes or proteins
internal segments | N2 segment
Mechanism types
reassortment
1 records
Extraction confidence 0.95
Key finding

Four zoonotic H1N1v infections in Spain between 2022 and 2026 were linked to genotypes circulating in white pigs.

Virus
Location
Supporting text

Conversely, four zoonotic infections (H1N1v) detected in Spain between 2022 and 2026 were linked to genotypes circulating in white pigs, underscoring the bidirectional nature of IAV transmission at the human swine interface.

Method
phylogenetic analysis | whole genome sequencing
Study design
genomic surveillance
Transmission direction
animal-to-human
Event type
zoonotic infection in humans linked to swine viruses
Geographic raw
Spain
Country inferred
ESP
Mechanism types
reassortment