ANTIGENIC CHARACTERIZATION OF INFLUENZA-A VIRUSES ISOLATED FROM AVIAN SPECIES IN ONTARIO, QUEBEC AND MARITIMES DURING THE 1977 SEASON

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 39  (2) , 107-114
Abstract
Influenza A viruses, (145) were isolated from ducks, geese and passerine birds in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes in July-Aug. 1977. Antigenic characterization of these isolates included 5 hemagglutinin (Hsw1, Hav4, Hav5, Hav6, Hav7) and 5 neuraminidase subtypes (N1, N2, Neq1, Neq2, Nav1) in 9 different combinations; 1 combination, Hav7 Neq1, was not previously reported. The majority of these viruses were Hsw1 N1, antigenically related to influenza viruses in pigs and humans. This large reservoir of influenza A viruses circulating in ducks may be involved in the appearance of new viruses in other species, including humans.