Temporal dynamics in the divergence and adaptive fixation of H5 AIV HA genes in different host-specific lineages. Credit: Science Advances (2025). doi:10.1126/sciadv.ado9140
A team of virologists, infectious disease experts, and pathobiologists from several institutions in China and the United Kingdom has found possible evidence that avian influenza vaccination is accelerating the evolution of the virus. In their study published in the journal Science Advances, the group conducted genetic analysis of hemagglutinin sequences from bird samples collected from 1996 to 2023.
Previous research has shown that developing a vaccine against a virus is not always the end of the story. In this new study, researchers wondered if that might be the case with the H5 subtype of avian influenza viruses. Both types currently infect birds around the world.
They noted that while some countries, such as China, are aggressively pursuing agricultural vaccination to slow or stop outbreaks, poultry vaccination rates are low. These different approaches provide an opportunity to test whether vaccination efforts are causing the virus to evolve in new ways.
To find out, the team conducted a genetic study of hemagglutinin collected from birds around the world from 1996 to 2023. Hemagglutinin is a receptor binding and membrane fusion glycoprotein. It is produced by viruses and can bind to receptors. host.
Researchers found that, unsurprisingly, infections occurred more frequently in unvaccinated birds, showing that they work. They also found that countries with widespread vaccination had higher rates of virus evolution compared to rates of evolution in countries with lower vaccination rates.
Researchers note that viral evolution of hemagglutinin can lead to resistance to vaccines and sometimes allow the virus to jump to other species more easily. They also caution that their findings are not causal. Instead, they are simply correlated. Further research is needed to determine whether vaccines actually cause evolutionary changes.
Details: Binging Li et al, Interspecies transmission and molecular evolution of H5 subtype avian influenza viruses, Science Advances (2025) and their association with poultry vaccination. doi:10.1126/sciadv.ado9140
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Citation: Possible evidence for avian influenza vaccination Virus evolution (January 23, 2025) January 23, 2025 https://phys.org/news/2025-01-evidence-bird-flu-vaccinations- Retrieved from virus.html
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