Characterization of a novel haemagglutinin subtype (H13) of influenza A viruses from gulls.

Influenza A virus strains isolated in the United States of America from ring-billed and Franklin gulls (Larus delawarensis, L. pipixcan) were found to possess a haemagglutinin (HA) antigen distinct from those of the twelve previously designated haemagglutinin subtypes of influenza A virus. Serological assays with antisera to reference strains representing the HA subtypes 1-12 and to a gull isolate, A/gull/Maryland/704/77, showed that the haemagglutinin of the gull virus was not related antigenically to the previously designated subtypes. In addition, comparison of the nucleotide sequences, and deduced amino acid sequences, of the 3' region of the RNA genes coding for haemagglutinin indicated that the gull viruses represent a genetically distinct group. We propose that this new HA antigen, which has so far been detected only in gulls, be designated H13 and that A/gull/Maryland/704/77 (H13N6) be designated the reference strain for this subtype.