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Airborne Transmission of Influenza A/H5N1 Virus Between Ferrets
- Source :
- Science, 336(6088), 1534-1541. American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science, Science; Vol 336
- Publication Year :
- 2012
- Publisher :
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2012.
-
Abstract
- Highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus can cause morbidity and mortality in humans but thus far has not acquired the ability to be transmitted by aerosol or respiratory droplet ("airborne transmission") between humans. To address the concern that the virus could acquire this ability under natural conditions, we genetically modified A/H5N1 virus by site-directed mutagenesis and subsequent serial passage in ferrets. The genetically modified A/H5N1 virus acquired mutations during passage in ferrets, ultimately becoming airborne transmissible in ferrets. None of the recipient ferrets died after airborne infection with the mutant A/H5N1 viruses. Four amino acid substitutions in the host receptor-binding protein hemagglutinin, and one in the polymerase complex protein basic polymerase 2, were consistently present in airborne-transmitted viruses. The transmissible viruses were sensitive to the antiviral drug oseltamivir and reacted well with antisera raised against H5 influenza vaccine strains. Thus, avian A/H5N1 influenza viruses can acquire the capacity for airborne transmission between mammals without recombination in an intermediate host and therefore constitute a risk for human pandemic influenza.
- Subjects :
- 0303 health sciences
Multidisciplinary
biology
030306 microbiology
Influenza vaccine
viruses
Influenza A (H5N1) Virus
virus diseases
Hemagglutinin (influenza)
medicine.disease_cause
H5N1 genetic structure
Airborne transmission
Virology
Virus
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1
3. Good health
Microbiology
03 medical and health sciences
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
biology.protein
Influenza A virus
medicine
030304 developmental biology
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 10959203 and 00368075
- Volume :
- 336
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Science
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....f5c137902fb5c346b44e6ed0cd456bb1