Virulence and transmission characteristic of H3N8 avian influenza virus circulating in chickens in China.

ABSTRACT: Influenza H3N8 viruses have been frequently isolated from chicken farms. However, comprehensive characterization of their virological properties, molecular evolution, virulence, and risk of spillover into mammals remains limited. In particular, little attention has been given to the transmission efficiency of H3N8 avian influenza viruses among chickens and their spillover risk. Here, we systematically characterized H3N8 isolates obtained from asymptomatic chickens through multidisciplinary approaches, including genomic surveillance, receptor binding profiling, and in vivo pathogenicity and transmission assays. All strains showed >98% nucleotide homology with human-infecting strains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that their internal genes were derived from H9N2, while HA and PB2 genes shar

SUBMITTER: Mei M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12802998 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature