Genetic characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N8) virus isolated from domestic geese in Iraq, 2018.

BACKGROUND: Influenza viruses are a continuous threat to avian and mammalian species, causing epidemics and pandemics. After the circulation of H5N1 in 2006, 2015, and 2016 in Iraq, an H5N8 influenza virus emerged in domestic geese in Sulaymaniyah Province, Iraq. This study analyzed the genetic characteristics of the Iraqi H5N8 viruses. RESULTS: An HPAI virus subtype H5N8 was identified from domestic backyard geese in the Kurdistan Region, north Iraq. Phylogenic analyses of the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes indicated that Iraq H5N8 viruses belonged to clade 2.3.4.4 group B and clustered with isolates from Iran, Israel, and Belgium. Genetic analysis of the HA gene indicated molecular markers for avian-type receptors. Characterization of the NA gene showed that the virus had sensitive molecular markers for antiviral drugs. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study ever on H5N8 in Iraq, and it is crucial to understand the epidemiology of the viruses in Iraq and the Middle East. The results suggest a possible role of migratory birds in the introduction of HPAI subtype H5N8 into Iraq.

Genetic characterization of hepatitis B virus genotypes among patients with chronic infection in Sulaimaniyah city, Iraq.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes are distributed unevenly throughout the world's regions. The researchers' goal in this study was to find out which HBV genotypes are now prevalent in the blood of chronic HBV patients in Iraq's Kurdistan Region's Sulaimaniyah governorate. Methods: Genotyping was carried out utilizing Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) type-specified primers. Thirty-three chronic HBV patients were included in the HBV genotyping assay. Phylogenic trees of Pre-S1/Pre S2/S genes' nucleotide sequences were constructed using 36 HBV isolates. Results: All the patients had HBV genotype D. Additionally, two samples were further analyzed by sequencing and deposited in GenBank as HBV/Sul-1/2021 accession numbers MZ077051 and HBV/Sul-2/2021 accession numbers MZ077052. Phylogenic analysis indicated that the HBV isolates belong to sub-genotype D1/serotype ayw2. The HBV/Sul-2/2021 had two sequence deletion mutations from G61del-T87del, which accounted for 27 amino acid deletions, and ten other mutations were identified in the carboxylic terminus of the pre-S1 from Q104del-R113del. Accordingly, 37 amino acids were deleted in the S promoter region. Several other substitution mutations were recorded in both HBV isolates. Conclusion: Patients with chronic HBV were found to have the HBV sub-genotype D1/subtype ayw2 with no mixed genotypes. HBV/Sul-1/2022, a new strain with a 37-amino acid mutation, was found to be distinct from any previously known HBV isolates.