Antigenic Relationships in Avian Influenza A Viruses: Identification of Two Viruses Isolated from Turkeys in Great Britain during 1969-1970

The neuraminidase (E.C. 3.2.1.18[EC] ) of A/TURKEY/ENGLAND/69 is related antigenically to the neuraminidases of A/TURKEY/MASSACHUSETTS/65 and A/TURKEY/ENGLAND/66 avian influenza viruses, and to an A 2/1957 human influenza virus.

The neuraminidase of A/TURKEY/SCOTLAND/70 is related antigenically to the neuraminidases of A/DUTCH and virus N (isolated before 1930 and in 1949 respectively), thus demonstrating the recurrence of a neuraminidase antigen in avian influenza A viruses over a period of at least 40 years.

The haemagglutinins of A/TURKEY/ENGLAND/69 and A/TURKEY/SCOTLAND/70 did not cross-react specifically with each other, or with viruses representing four known avian influenza A haemagglutinin prototypes.

^* Present address: School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, U.S.A.

^† Present address: Institute of Virology, University of Glasgow, Scotland.