The pandemic potential of H9N2 avian influenza viruses

August 13, 2008

EUREKALERT

Since their introduction into land-based birds in 1988, H9N2 avian

influenza A viruses have caused multiple human infections and become

endemic in domestic poultry in Eurasia. This particular influenza

subtype has been evolving and acquiring characteristics that raise

concerns that it may become more transmissible among humans.

Mechanisms that allow infection and subsequent human-to-human

transmission of avian influenza viruses are not well understood.

In a new study published August 13 in the journal PLoS ONE,

(of the University of land) and colleagues used ferrets to

characterize the mechanism of replication and transmission of recent

avian H9N2 viruses. The researchers show that some currently

circulating avian H9N2 viruses can transmit to nave ferrets placed in

direct contact with infected ferrets. However, aerosol transmission

was not observed, a key factor in potentially pandemic strains.

More importantly, and colleagues show that a single amino acid

residue (Leu226) at the receptor-binding site (RBS) of the

hemagglutinin (HA) surface protein plays a major role in the ability

of these viruses to transmit. They also found that an avian-human H9N2

reassortant virus increases virulence, pathology and replication in

ferrets. These results suggest that the establishment and prevalence

of H9N2 viruses in poultry could pose a significant threat for humans.

Contact: Beth Cavanaugh, University of land Press Office

, University of land

Citation: Wan H, Sorrell EM, Song H, Hossain MJ, -Nieto G, et

al. (2008) Replication and Transmission of H9N2 Influenza Viruses in

Ferrets: Evaluation of Pandemic Potential. PLoS ONE 3(8): e2923.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0002923

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