New subtype of influenza A virus from bats and new tasks for ecologo-virological monitoring
Molecular-virological analysis of data upon new variant of influenza A virus discovered in bats Sturnira lilium on the territory of Central America (2009-2010) [Tong S., et al. PNAS (2012), 109:4269-4274] is presented. It is demonstrated that distances between HA and NA proteins and all known analogues allow to introduce new types Н17 and N10, respectively. Functionally significant sites (HA proteolysis, HA receptor-binding site, NA ligand-binding site) of new subtype H17N10 differ greatly from another subtypes. Hypothesis about the role of bats as additional natural reservoir for some influenza A variants is formulated.