Feoktistova SG, Ivanova AO, Degtyarev EP, Smirnova. Phylogenetic Insights into H7Nx Influenza Viruses: Uncovering Reassortment Patterns and Geographic Variability. Viruses. 2024 Oct 23;16(11):1656
Influenza A viruses (IAVs), which belong to the Orthomyxoviridae family, are RNA viruses characterized by a segmented genome that allows them to evolve and adapt rapidly. These viruses are mainly transmitted by wild waterfowl. In this study, we investigated the evolutionary processes of H7Nx (H7N1, H7N2, H7N3, H7N4, H7N5, H7N6, H7N7, H7N8, H7N9) viruses, which pose a significant pandemic risk due to the known cases of human infection and their potential for rapid genetic evolution and reassortment. The complete genome sequences of H7Nx influenza viruses (n = 3239) were compared between each other to investigate their phylogenetic relationships and reassortment patterns. For the selected viruses, phylogenetic trees were constructed for eight genome segments (PB2, PB1, PA, HA, NP, NA, M, NS) to assess the genetic diversity and geographic distribution of these viruses. Distinct phylogenetic clades with remarkable geographic patterns were found for the different segments. While the viruses were consistently grouped by subtype based on the NA segment sequences, the phylogeny of the other segment sequences, with the exception of the NS segment, showed distinct grouping patterns based on geographic origin rather than formal subtype assignment. Reassortment events leading to complex phylogenetic relationships were frequently observed. In addition, multiple cases of previously undescribed reassortments between subtypes were detected, emphasizing the fluidity of H7Nx virus populations. These results indicate a high degree of genetic diversity and reassortment within H7Nx influenza viruses. In other words, H7Nx viruses exist as constantly changing combinations of gene pools rather than stable genetic lineages.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- Engineered Bacillus subtilis to deliver dsRNA via extracellular vesicles against the H9N2 avian influenza virus 6 hours ago
- [preprint]Spatiotemporal dynamics and ecological risk factors of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in Canadian wildlife: A One Health surveillance analysis 6 hours ago
- Epidemiological and Virological Characteristics of H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus in Jiangsu Province, China, 2024 17 hours ago
- Innate Pathway Selection Modulates Antibody and T-Cell Responses to Mosaic Influenza Nucleoprotein in Cattle 2 days ago
- Game Over for the Baseline: Influenza Hospitalization Patterns Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic (FluSurv-NET, 2009–2025) 2 days ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]


