Researchers from China and Nottingham have identified mutational changes occurring in avian influenza subtypes. virus It is prevalent in poultry farms in China. These changes may increase the likelihood of human infection.
The researchers also said the findings raise concerns about a potential epidemic or pandemic in progress, and that coordinated research is needed to closely monitor these viruses in poultry and humans. There is.
The results announced in cell, report on the characterization of H3N8 avian influenza virus (AIV) human isolates from human patients. Using laboratory mice and ferrets as a model for human infection, the study found that the virus undergoes several adaptive changes that cause severe animal infections, and that it can be transmitted through the airborne route between animals.
H3N8 virus infection in birds has been found to cause acute respiratory distress syndrome and potentially death in humans. This virus is widespread in chicken flocks. However, until now, the characteristics of how it is transmitted from animals to humans have been poorly understood.
“An avian H3N8 virus isolated from a patient with severe pneumonia replicates efficiently in human bronchial and lung epithelial cells, is extremely harmful to laboratory mammalian hosts, and is transmitted via respiratory droplets. We have demonstrated that it is possible,” says Professor Qingzhou Chan. , in University of Nottingham.
“Importantly, we discovered that the virus has acquired human receptor binding preference and amino groups.” acid Replacement PB2-E627K required for airborne infections. Human populations, even when vaccinated against human H3N2 viruses, appear to be immunologically naïve to the emerging mammalian-adapted H3N8 AIV and are susceptible to infection at epidemic or pandemic rates. It can make you vulnerable.
“The acid resistance of influenza viruses is also an important barrier to overcome for avian influenza viruses to gain adaptability and transmissibility to new mammals and humans.The current novel H3N8 virus has not yet acquired acid resistance. Therefore, we need to pay attention to changes in the acid resistance of the new H3N8 virus.”
Reference: “Airborne transmission of human-isolated avian H3N8 influenza virus among ferrets” Honglei Sun, Han Li, Qi Tong, Qiqi Han, Jiyu Liu, Haili Yu, Hao Song, Jianxun Qi, Jiaqi Li, Jizhe Yang, Riguo Lan, Guojideng, Haoyu Chang, Yajin Qu, Juan Pu, Yipeng Sun, Yu Lan, Dayan Wang, Yi Shi, William J. Liu, Jinhua Liu, September 4, 2023; cell.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.08.011