Gene homology and antigenic specificity of envelope proteins of avian influenza virus strains possessing haemagglutinin Havl.

Comparison of some avian influenza virus strains possessing haemagglutinin Havl revealed the greatest differences in strains A/FPV/Weybridge and A/FPV/Rostock/34. These strains differed in the degree of homology of eight genome fragments, electrophoretic mobility of the majority of proteins, size of plaques and rct42 marker and displayed significant differences in antigenic specificity of haemagglutinin. Strains A/FPV/Weybridge and A/FPV/Dobson proved to be more close in the degree of genome homology but differed in three genes, electrophoretic mobility of some proteins, size of plaques, rct42 marker and antigenic specificity of haemagglutinin. The data obtained indicate that avian influenza virus strains of the Havl subtype may differ from each other in the degree of gene homology and some other properties including antigenic specificity of haemagglutinin like influenza viruses with other haemagglutinin subtypes.