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Commentary
Fujian
/ Qinghai H5N1 Recombinants In Egypt
Recombinomics
Commentary 19:41
May 7, 2010
The movement of Fujian clade 2.3.2 sequences into Egypt was not a surprise. In early 2008, clade 2.3.2 was in wild birds in Japan and eastern Russia, followed by wild birds at Uvs Lake in 2009. Birds from Uvs Lake migrate through Egypt, leading to dual infections and acquisitions via recombination.
Other sequences from Harbin also had regions of identity (see list). These were Egyptian clade 2.2.1 Qinghai sequences which had Fujian sequences appended onto the clade 2.2.1 background. These isolates confirm that homologous recombination is common, although under-represented in the H5N1 sequence database, where most recombinant sequences are deposited from labs in northern China, including Harbin.
It is unclear why there are not more examples in the Middle East. However, the recent report of wild bird H5N1 sequences in Emus at an Israeli petting zoo suggests Fujian H5N1 clase 2.3,2 may have been recently detected.
Release of those sequences, as well as additional examples in Egypt would be useful.
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