The changing nature of avian influenza A virus (H5N1)

Genome Sequence of a Natural Reassortant H5N2 Avian Influenza Virus from Domestic Mallard Ducks in Eastern China

“…vian influenza virus, a member of the family Orthomyxoviridae, is specified into 16 HA (hemagglutinin) subtypes and 9 NA (neuraminidase) subtypes according to the antigenicity of the two surface glycoproteins HA and NA (7,8). Among these, the H5N1 subtype combination of the Gs/GD lineage is of great concern, as it has caused disastrous damage to the poultry industry and has posed a serious threat to public health (7).…”

Clinical Preparedness for Cytokine Storm Induced By the Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Influenza Virus

“…Nevertheless, the possibility of human-to-human transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses is becoming a fear for human health and society. Because humans lack immunity to influenza viruses possessing an H5NA, the emergence of a transmittable H5-HA-possessing virus would probably cause a pandemic [1,2].…”

“…It has been shown that Glu92 and Ala149 mutations, and carboxyl-terminal ESEV/EPEV motif of NS1 protein have been implicated as determinants of virulence for the A (H5N1) virus [5]. In addition, Lys627 mutation in PB2 protein, polybasic amino acid mutations in the cleavage region of hemagglutinin (HA) polyprotein, and glycosylation and sialylation mutations in HA and NeuraMinidase (NA) proteins were found to enhance the immunemediated pathology of highly virulent strains of the A (H5N1) virus [1,5].…”

Cocirculation of Three Hemagglutinin and Two Neuraminidase Subtypes of Avian Influenza Viruses in Huzhou, China, April 2013: Implication for the Origin of the Novel H7N9 Virus

“…This time, only the novel H7N9 virus acquired the ability to infect humans (16,17). However, we do not exclude the possibility that H7N9-related reassortants (e.g., H9N9 viruses) will evolve the ability to infect humans in the future (18). Therefore, cocirculation of these HA and NA subtypes and the emergence of H7N9-related reassortants pose a potential threat to humans.…”