{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: H9N2 Influenza A Viruses Found to be Enzootic in Punjab Pakistan's Bird Markets with Evidence of Human H9N2 Nasal Colonization.
{Author}: Ali S;Robie ER;Saeed U;Jaffar G;Bailey ES;Marushchak LV;Kreditor BE;Pulscher LA;Rubrum AM;Webby RJ;Gray GC;
{Journal}: Int J Infect Dis
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jun 28
{Factor}: 12.074
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107146
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>This study sought to detect and characterize influenza A (IAV) and influenza D (IDV) viruses circulating among commercial birds and shop owners in Pakistan's live bird markets.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Oropharyngeal swabs (n=600; n=300 pools) collected from poultry and nasopharyngeal swabs (n=240) collected from poultry workers were studied for molecular evidence of IAV and IDV using real-time and conventional RT-PCR protocols.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Nineteen (6.3%) poultry pools were positive for IAV and 73.9% of these were positive for H9N2 subtypes. Two (0.83%) poultry workers had evidence of IAV, and both were also H9N2 subtypes. The poultry and human influenza A-positive specimens all clustered phylogenetically by Sanger and next-generation sequencing with previously detected H9N2 poultry isolates. No field specimens were positive for IDV.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>H9N2 IAV is likely enzootic in Punjab Province Pakistan's live bird markets and may be colonizing the noses of workers and market visitors. Regular monitoring for avian influenza-associated human illness in Punjab seems to be a needed public measure.