In Silico Immune escape and ACE2 receptor binding scores (relative to BA.2)*
Data is intended to prioritize select lineages to generate rapid laboratory experiments to gauge immune escape and ACE2 binding affinity.
[Credits in the legend]
* Only Spike RBD mutations considered
#SARSCoV2 lineages DS.1^^ (BN.1.3.1.1), XBB.1.5*, XBF, BN.1*, DN.1.1^^, XBB.6.1^^, XBB.1.9.1^^, CJ.1^^, CP.1.3^^, XBL^^, XBK^^ are in the zone of concern (red box) - Predicted to have high immune escape and tight ACE2 binding affinity!
A total of 1886 sequences were submitted with specimen collection dates on or after 04/04/2024 (of which 373 (~19.8%) were collected via airport surveillance)
2/n
Predicted #ImmuneEscape vs ACE2 Binding Scores (Relative to BA.2)
Common theme among H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b infected Cats:
- Present multiple symptoms almost immediately
- Neurologic, Respiratory, rapid decline leading to death
(or compassionate euthanasia)
- Pick PB2 mammalian adaptations
1/n
French Cat (2022)
Phylogenetic analysis linked the infection closely to virus circulating in the neighboring duck farm, with minor genetic differences.
Key mutations: PB2 E627K & NS: E26G
Again, rapid selection of mammalian adaptation mutation
2/n
Polish Cats (2023)
First widespread H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b infection across a wide geographic area within a country