Viral factors underlying the pandemic potential of influenza viruses
Gabriele Neumann, Amie J. Eisfeld, Yoshihiro Kawaoka
Abstract
SUMMARYOver the past 25 years, there has been an increasing number of mammalian (including human) infections caused by avian influenza A viruses that resulted in mild to severe illnesses. These viruses typically did not spread between mammals through aerosols in nature or in experimental settings. However, recently, this has changed, with several avian influenza A viruses exhibiting aerosol transmissibility among mammals, indicating that these viruses may pose a greater pandemic risk. In this review, we examine the current situation and discuss the mutations that may be necessary for avian influenza A viruses to efficiently replicate in mammals and transmit among them via aerosols.
Topics & Concepts
BiologyInfluenza A virus subtype H5N1VirologyPandemicInfluenza A virusTransmissibility (structural dynamics)OrthomyxoviridaeVirusH5N1 genetic structureHuman viromeReplicateViral evolutionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)GenomeInfectious disease (medical specialty)GeneGeneticsDiseaseMedicineQuantum mechanicsMathematicsStatisticsVibrationPhysicsPathologyVibration isolationInfluenza Virus Research StudiesViral Infections and VectorsViral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology