Neuraminidase Inhibitors Resistance: The
Irrational Use of Oseltamivir Can Lead to Genesis of Mutant Avian
Influenza Viruses in The Field
Rida Iftikhar1*, Kinza Khan2*, Iftikhar Masud3,
Muhammad Furqan Shahid1, 4, Nasim Rafiq5 and
Saba Javed6
1Institute
of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,
Lahore, Pakistan; 2Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan; 3College of Pharmacy,
University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan; 4Veterinary
Research Institute, Lahore, Pakistan; 5Shalamar Institute
of Health and Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan; 6Department of
Life Sciences, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
*Corresponding author:
ridaiftikhar72@gmail.com
(Rida Iftikhar);
kinzakhan@bzu.edu.pk
(Kinza Khan)
Abstract
Avian influenza virus subtype H9N2 has been
circulating and several outbreaks reported in poultry since 1998 in Pakistan.
Drug abuse in poultry is the common practice in low to middle income countries
including Pakistan. Neuraminidase Inhibitors are the drugs that target its
protein neuraminidase. Identification of amino acid substitution in the
neuraminidase of low pathogenic avian Influenza H9N2 viruses is important. In
our study, the susceptibility and resistance patterns H9N2 were analyzed towards
NAIs. Virus was serially passaged in-ovo under increasing concentrations of
Oseltamivir and subjected towards haemagglutination assay, molecular
confirmation and sequencing. At four points E119V, D151E, E276D, R371K,
significant amino acid substitutions due to increase selective drug pressure
were observed. These substitutions are responsible in reducing susceptibility of
virus towards NAIs. The compensatory mutations in HA gene were also checked
associated with NA gene. At position 234 of HA protein, the mutation was heading
from Q towards L from passage 3 and persist till passage 5, that indicates that
the virus is gradually modifying its host specificity range. As the virus having
L at 234 position indicates its zoonotic potential as it has binding affinity
more toward α 2,6 sialic acid receptors. So there is a need of continuous
surveillance and monitoring while using NAI drugs against field viruses.
To Cite This Article:
Iftikhar R, Khan K, Masud I, Shahid MF, Rafiq N,
Javed S.2023. Oseltamivir induced
mutations: The irrational use in poultry could lead to genesis of neuraminidase
inhibitors resistant avian influenza viruses. Pak Vet J, 43(4): 799-803.
http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2023.068