Genome Sequences of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Serotype A and O Strains Obtained from Subclinically Infected Asian Buffalo in Pakistan.

We report the nearly full genome sequences of 14 isolates of serotype A foot-and-mouth disease virus and 5 isolates of serotype O, which were obtained from subclinically infected Asian buffalo in Pakistan in 2011 to 2012. Sequences from subclinically infected animals are rare and complement the more commonly available sequences from clinical cases.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Serotypes O and A from Outbreaks in Pakistan 2011-2012.

We report the near full genome sequences of 18 isolates of foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype O and 6 isolates of serotype A obtained from outbreaks in Pakistan between 2011 and 2012. The scarcity of full-length FMDV sequences from this region enhances the importance of these genomes for understanding regional molecular epidemiology.

Multiple Genomes of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Serotype Asia-1 Obtained from Subclinically Infected Asian Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Pakistan.

We report the near-full-genome sequences of 49 isolates of serotype Asia-1 foot-and-mouth disease virus obtained from subclinically infected Asian buffalo in Islamabad Capital Region, Pakistan, in 2011 to 2012. Sequences from subclinically infected animals are exceedingly rare and complement the more commonly available sequences acquired from clinical cases.

Multiple Genome Sequences of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Asia-1 Lineage Sindh-08 from Outbreaks in Pakistan, 2011 to 2012.

We report the near-full-length genome sequences of 22 isolates of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype Asia-1, lineage Sindh-08, obtained from foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Pakistan between 2011 and 2012. The scarcity of full-length FMDV sequences from this region enhances the importance of these new genomes for understanding the regional molecular epidemiology.

Characterization of naturally occurring, new and persistent subclinical foot-and-mouth disease virus infection in vaccinated Asian buffalo in Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan.

The convalescent subclinical carrier state of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection has been thoroughly investigated; contrastingly, the subclinical form of new infections of vaccinated and naïve hosts is recognized, but poorly understood. To investigate the natural dynamics of subclinical FMDV infections, a prospective, 12-month, longitudinal study was conducted in vaccinated Asian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) under natural conditions in Pakistan, where FMDV is hyperendemic. Oropharyngeal fluid (OPF) samples were obtained quarterly from 300 buffalo on 30 farms which reported no clinical FMD during the 12-month study period.

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of virulent Newcastle disease virus isolates from Pakistan during 2009-2013 reveals circulation of new sub genotype.

Despite observing the standard bio-security measures at commercial poultry farms and extensive use of Newcastle disease vaccines, a new genotype VII-f of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) got introduced in Pakistan during 2011. In this regard 300 ND outbreaks recorded so far have resulted into huge losses of approximately USD 200 million during 2011-2013. A total of 33 NDV isolates recovered during 2009-2013 throughout Pakistan were characterized biologically and phylogenetically.

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses isolated during 2006-2008 outbreaks in Pakistan reveals genetic diversity.

Background: Since the first outbreak recorded in northern areas of Pakistan in early 2006, highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses were isolated from commercial poultry and wild/domestic birds from different areas of Pakistan up to July 2008. Different isolates of H5N1 were sequenced to explore the genetic diversity of these viruses.

Results: Phylogenetic analysis revealed close clustering and highest sequence identity in all 8 genes to HPAI H5N1 isolates belonging to unified H5 clade 2.

H7 avian influenza virus vaccines protect chickens against challenge with antigenically diverse isolates.

Vaccination has been a critical tool in the control of some avian influenza viruses (AIV) and has been used routinely in Pakistan to help control sporadic outbreaks of highly pathogenic (HP) H7 AIV since 1995. During that time, several AIV isolates were utilized as inactivated vaccines with varying degrees of success. In order to evaluate which H7 AIV strains may serve as optimal vaccines for diverse H7 AIVs from Pakistan we conducted vaccination-challenge studies with five H7 vaccines against challenge with two HPAIVs: A/chicken/Murree/NARC-1/1995 H7N3 and A/chicken/Karachi/SPVC-4/2004 H7N3.

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of H7N3 avian influenza viruses isolated from poultry in Pakistan 1995-2004.

Background: Avian influenza virus (AIV) infections have caused heavy economic losses to the poultry industry in Pakistan as well as numerous other regions worldwide. The first introduction of H7N3 AIV to Pakistan occurred during 1995, since then H7N3, H9N2 and H5N1 AIVs have each been sporadically isolated. This report evaluates the genetic origin of the H7N3 viruses from Pakistan collected 1995-2004 and how they disseminated within the country.

Zoonotic potential of highly pathogenic avian H7N3 influenza viruses from Pakistan.

H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses can become highly pathogenic in chickens after interspecies transmission. These viruses have transmitted directly to humans from birds in Eurasia and Africa (H5N1), the Netherlands (H7N7), and Canada (H7N3). Here we report antigenic, sequence, and phylogenetic analyses of H7N3 viruses isolated from chickens in Pakistan from 1995 to 2002.

Passive immunization against highly pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) strain H7N3 with antiserum generated from viral polypeptides protect poultry birds from lethal viral infection.

Our studies were aimed at developing a vaccination strategy that could provide protection against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (AIV), H7N3 or its variants outbreaks. A purified viral stock of highly pathogenic H7N3 isolate was lysed to isolate viral proteins by electrophresing on 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), followed by their elution from gel through trituration in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Overall, five isolated viral polypeptides/proteins upon characterization were used to prepare hyperimmune monovalent serum against respective polypeptides independently and a mixture of all five in poultry birds, and specificity confirmation of each antiserum through dot blot and Western blotting.