Characterization of H5N1 influenza viruses isolated from humans in vitro

Since December 1997, highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1viruses have swept through poultry populations across Asian countries and been transmitted into African and European countries. Here, we characterized 6 avian influenza H5N1 viruses isolated from humans in 2004 in Thailand.

A highly pathogenic (HP) KAN353 strain showed fast replication and higher virulence in embryonated eggs compared to other stains, especially compared to low pathogenic (LP) SP83 strain. HP KAN353 also showed strong cytopathogenicity compared to SP83 in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells.

Interestingly, LP SP83 induced smaller plaques compared to other strains, especially HP KAN353. PB2 amino acid 627E may contribute to low virulence, whereas either PB2 amino acid 627K or the combination of 627E/701N seems to be associated with high virulence.

In vitro assays used in this study may provide the basis for assessing the pathogenesis of influenza H5N1 viruses in vivo.

Author: Yong-Gang LiMalinee ChittaganpitchSunthareeya WaicharoenYuta KanaiGui-Rong BaiMasanori KameokaNaokazu TakedaKazuyoshi IkutaPathom Sawanpanyalert
Credits/Source: Virology Journal 2010, 7:112

Published on: 2010-06-01

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