Virulence determinants of pandemic influenza viruses
Donna M. Tscherne, Adolfo García-Sastre
Donna M. Tscherne, Adolfo García-Sastre
Published January 4, 2011
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2011;121(1):6-13. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI44947.
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Category: Science in Medicine

Virulence determinants of pandemic influenza viruses

Abstract

Influenza A viruses cause recurrent, seasonal epidemics and occasional global pandemics with devastating levels of morbidity and mortality. The ability of influenza A viruses to adapt to various hosts and undergo reassortment events ensures constant generation of new strains with unpredictable degrees of pathogenicity, transmissibility, and pandemic potential. Currently, the combination of factors that drives the emergence of pandemic influenza is unclear, making it impossible to foresee the details of a future outbreak. Identification and characterization of influenza A virus virulence determinants may provide insight into genotypic signatures of pathogenicity as well as a more thorough understanding of the factors that give rise to pandemics.

Authors

Donna M. Tscherne, Adolfo García-Sastre

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Figure 2

Origin of 2009 S-OIV.

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Origin of 2009 S-OIV. Reassortment of North American swine H3N2 and H1N2...
Reassortment of North American swine H3N2 and H1N2 triple-reassortant viruses (of North American avian, human [H3N2], and classical swine [H1N1] origin) with Eurasian avian-like swine viruses (H1N1) resulted in the 2009 S-OIV pandemic virus. Each gene segment of avian, human, or swine origin corresponds to a characteristic feature on the surface of the schematic viral particle.