1. Serological and Antigenic Surveillance of Avian Influenza Viruses for Mammalian Transmission in Korea
Chung-Young Lee1, Yun-Gyeong Cho2, Baek-Jun Kim3, Ilhwan Kim4, Eunkyoung Lee2, Jong-Hun Kim2, Jae-Hong Kim1, Hyuk-Joon Kwon5*
1 Laboratory of Avian Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea 2 Foreign animal disease team, Gyeonggi Province Veterinary Service Centre, Suwon, 16381, Republic of Korea 3 National Institute of Ecology, 1210 Geumgang-ro, Maseo-myeon, Seocheon-gun, Choongcheongnam-do, 33657, Republic of Korea 4 Division of Antimicrobial Resistance, Center for Infectious Diseases, Korea National Research Institute of Health, KCDC, Cheongju, Republic of Korea 5 Laboratory of Poultry Production Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
Purpose
Material & Methods
Mammalian transmission of avian influenza A viruses (AIVs) have been steadily occurring over the last 100 years. In Korea, new subtypes of the highly pathogenic influenza viruses (HPAIs) have been occurred during and caused severe damages on poultry industries. However, surveillance of the potential mammalian transmission of AIVs has rarely been conducted in Korea. Therefore, we aimed at serological and antigenic surveillance of AIVs in wild mice and humans with high risks of AIVs infections.
In this study, we captured wild rodents (striped field mice, house mice, Eurasian harvest mice, and lesser shrews) twice in the spring of 2013 and 2014 at Gyeonggi province using Sherman traps. The traps were installed within a 100-meter radius of poultry farms (Hwaseong, Anseong, Paju, Yeoncheon, and Pyeongtaek) and migratory bird habitats (Sihwa Lake).
To monitor direct human transmission of AIVs, we collected vaccine histories and serum samples from live bird market traders, poultry processing workers, and quarantine officers during
Serological testing was performed by using NP-based ELISA and HI tests for H5, H7 and H9. The antigen detection was examined by inoculating samples to 10-day-old SPF embryonated chicken eggs (ECEs).
Results
Table 1. Serological and antigenic surveillance of IAV in wild rodents.
Sampling
period
regiona
No. of samples from wild rodents (%)
Total no. of
samplesb
Positive rate (%)
Striped field mouse
(Apodemus agrarius)
House mouse
(Mus musculus)
Eurasian harvest mouse
(Micromys minutus)
Lesser shrew
(Crocidura suaveolens)
Norway rat
(Rattus norvegicus)
ELISA
Antigen
2013.4
Hwaseong
18 (94.7)
1 (5.3)
19 (12)
Anseong
Sihwa Lake
16 (94.1)
1 (5.9)
17 (14)
Paju
42 (87.5)
6 (12.5)
48 (30)
Yeoncheon
18 (85.7)
3 (14.3)
21 (18)
2014.4
11 (68.8)
4 (25.0)
1 (6.3)
16 (12)
Pyeongtaek
24 (100)
24 (19)
25 (100)
25 (20)
Total
172 (91.0)
5 (2.6)
4 (2.1)
7 (3.7)
1 (0.5)
189 (137)
a Except for Sihwa Lake, a wild bird habitat, all other sampling regions were near poultry farms.
b No. of tissue (serum) samples.
- None of the rodents captured in had AIVs (0/191) or common antibodies against the NP of IAVs (0/138) (Table 1).
Table 2. Serological survey of AIVs in humans engaged in poultry industries.
Years
Job N
Positive HI test rate (%)
Positive ELISA rate (%)
Seasonal flu vaccination last year (%) H5 H7 H9
Yes No
No answer
2013
Quarantine officer 75
Nta
98.7
40.0
42.7
17.3
Poultry processing worker
191 Nt
100
19.9
24.0
56.0
2014
Live bird market trader 33
91.0
42.4
57.6 25
96.0
68.0
32.0
2015 30
90.0
50.0 16
68.8
62.5
6.3
31.3 50
46.0
54.0
Total
420
97.6
35.0
35.2
29.8
a Not tested
- Although % of the testees reported having received a seasonal vaccination in the previous year, % carried anti-NP antibodies. However, they were all negative to anti-H5, H7 and H9 antibodies
Conclusion
References
Although we could not find any evidence of AIV infection in wild mice or humans in Korea in , the continuing active surveillance of mammalian transmission will play an important role in preparedness for the next pandemic outbreaks.
1 Youn-Jeong, L. et al. Novel Reassortant Influenza A(H5N8) Viruses, South Korea, Emerging Infectious Disease journal 20, 1086, doi: /eid (2014).
2 Lee, E. K. et al. Multiple novel H5N6 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, South Korea, Infect Genet Evol 51, 21-23, doi: /j.meegid (2017).
3 Lee, E. K. et al. Surveillance of avian influenza viruses in South Korea between 2012 and Virol J 14, 54, doi: /s y (2017).