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Trends in Microbiology Apr 2014Shorebirds and waterfowls are believed to be the reservoir hosts for influenza viruses, whereas swine putatively act as mixing vessels. The recent identification of two... (Review)
Review
Shorebirds and waterfowls are believed to be the reservoir hosts for influenza viruses, whereas swine putatively act as mixing vessels. The recent identification of two influenza-like virus genomes (designated H17N10 and H18N11) from bats has challenged this notion. A crucial question concerns the role bats might play in influenza virus ecology. Structural and functional studies of the two major surface envelope proteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), demonstrate that neither has canonical HA or NA functions found in influenza viruses. However, putative functional modules and domains in other encoded proteins are conserved, and the N-terminal domain of the H17N10 polymerase subunit PA has a classical structure and function. Therefore, potential genomic reassortments of such influenza-like viruses with canonical influenza viruses cannot be excluded at this point and should be assessed.
Topics: Animals; Chiroptera; Conserved Sequence; Disease Reservoirs; Models, Molecular; Orthomyxoviridae; Phylogeny; Protein Conformation; Recombination, Genetic; Sequence Homology; Viral Proteins
PubMed: 24582528
DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2014.01.010 -
BMC Medicine Sep 2012Influenza has a long history of causing morbidity and mortality in the human population through routine seasonal spread and global pandemics. The high mutation rate of... (Review)
Review
Influenza has a long history of causing morbidity and mortality in the human population through routine seasonal spread and global pandemics. The high mutation rate of the RNA genome of the influenza virus, combined with assortment of its multiple genomic segments, promote antigenic diversity and new subtypes, allowing the virus to evade vaccines and become resistant to antiviral drugs. There is thus a continuing need for new anti-influenza therapy using novel targets and creative strategies. In this review, we summarize prospective future therapeutic regimens based on recent molecular and genomic discoveries.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Humans; Influenza, Human; Models, Biological; Orthomyxoviridae
PubMed: 22973873
DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-10-104 -
Cell Host & Microbe Mar 2015Vaccination is the best method for the prevention and control of influenza. Vaccination can reduce illness and lessen severity of infection. This review focuses on how... (Review)
Review
Vaccination is the best method for the prevention and control of influenza. Vaccination can reduce illness and lessen severity of infection. This review focuses on how currently licensed influenza vaccines are generated in the U.S., why the biology of influenza poses vaccine challenges, and vaccine approaches on the horizon that address these challenges.
Topics: Antigens, Viral; Humans; Influenza Vaccines; Influenza, Human; Mutation; Orthomyxoviridae; Reassortant Viruses; Technology, Pharmaceutical; United States
PubMed: 25766291
DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2015.02.012 -
Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy Oct 2013Influenza viruses cause recurring epidemic outbreaks every year associated with high morbidity and mortality. Despite extensive research and surveillance efforts to... (Review)
Review
Influenza viruses cause recurring epidemic outbreaks every year associated with high morbidity and mortality. Despite extensive research and surveillance efforts to control influenza outbreaks, the primary mitigation treatment for influenza is the development of yearly vaccine mixes targeted for the most prevalent virus strains. Consequently, the focus of many detection technologies has evolved toward accurate identification of subtype and understanding the evolution and molecular determinants of novel and pathogenic forms of influenza. The recent availability of potential antiviral treatments are only effective if rapid and accurate diagnostic tests for influenza epidemic management are available; thus, early detection of influenza infection is still important for prevention, containment, patient management, and infection control. This review discusses the current and emerging technologies for detection and strain identification of influenza virus and their specific gene targets, as well as their implications in patient management.
Topics: Disease Outbreaks; Epidemiological Monitoring; Genes, Viral; Humans; Influenza Vaccines; Influenza, Human; Orthomyxoviridae; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
PubMed: 23686537
DOI: 10.1007/s40291-013-0040-9 -
Virulence Nov 2017In 2011, a new virus was isolated from pigs with influenza-like symptoms and subsequently also from cattle, which are the main reservoir of the virus. It is similar to... (Review)
Review
In 2011, a new virus was isolated from pigs with influenza-like symptoms and subsequently also from cattle, which are the main reservoir of the virus. It is similar to Influenza C virus (ICV), a (predominantly) human pathogen, causing respiratory disease in children. Since the virus is unable to reassort with ICV (and based on several other criteria as discussed in the text) it is now officially named as Influenzavirus D (IDV), a new genus of the Orthomyxoviridae. We summarize the epidemiology, pathology and evolution of IDV and its biological characteristics with emphasis on the only glycoprotein HEF. Based on the limited data available we finally consider whether IDV represent a public health threat.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Evolution, Molecular; Humans; Orthomyxoviridae; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Phylogeny
PubMed: 28812422
DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2017.1365216 -
Virus Genes Apr 2021Influenza virus is a common virus in people's daily lives, and it has certain infectivity in humans and animals. Influenza viruses have the characteristics of a high... (Review)
Review
Influenza virus is a common virus in people's daily lives, and it has certain infectivity in humans and animals. Influenza viruses have the characteristics of a high mutation rate and wide distribution. Reverse genetic technology is primarily used to modify viruses at the DNA level through targeted modification of the virus cDNA. Genetically modified influenza viruses have a unique advantage when researching the transmission and pathogenicity of influenza. With the continuous development of oncolytic viruses in recent years, studies have found that influenza viruses also have certain oncolytic activity. Influenza viruses can specifically recognize tumor cells; activate cytotoxic T cells, NK cells, dendritic cells, etc.; and stimulate the body to produce an immune response, thereby killing tumor cells. This article will review the development and application of influenza virus reverse genetic technology.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Influenza, Human; Orthomyxoviridae; Reverse Genetics; Viral Proteins
PubMed: 33528730
DOI: 10.1007/s11262-020-01822-9 -
Singapore Medical Journal Jun 2006With the increasing concern of an imminent influenza pandemic, Singapore and many other countries have been developing preparedness plans. Influenza affects an estimated... (Review)
Review
With the increasing concern of an imminent influenza pandemic, Singapore and many other countries have been developing preparedness plans. Influenza affects an estimated 20 percent of the population of Singapore annually, and local outbreaks can last for more than 12 weeks and occur at different periods of the year. The 1968 pandemic in Singapore had a clinical attack rate of about 20 percent and resulted in infections with fever that lasted up to five days. However, absenteeism from work due to seasonal influenza-like illnesses was estimated to be less than one day per person in Singapore. The next pandemic in Singapore is predicted to cause an average of 1,105 deaths and 3,338 hospitalisations, while a severe pandemic will cause more healthcare damage. Preventive strategies include national public health initiatives, vaccination, anti-viral therapy, and hygiene measures. To develop effective preparedness plans, it is important for healthcare workers to understand the disease's epidemiology, outcomes, and treatment and prevention strategies available.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; Cost of Illness; Disease Outbreaks; Health Planning Guidelines; Humans; Infection Control; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; Influenza, Human; Orthomyxoviridae; Singapore; Socioeconomic Factors; United States; Viral Vaccines; World Health Organization
PubMed: 16752013
DOI: No ID Found -
ELife May 2018The IFNλ family of interferons controls the spread of viruses in the upper respiratory tract and transmission between mice.
The IFNλ family of interferons controls the spread of viruses in the upper respiratory tract and transmission between mice.
Topics: Animals; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; Lung; Mice; Orthomyxoviridae Infections
PubMed: 29792400
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.37552 -
MBio May 2014During their nuclear replication stage, influenza viruses hijack the host splicing machinery to process some of their RNA segments, the M and NS segments. In this... (Review)
Review
During their nuclear replication stage, influenza viruses hijack the host splicing machinery to process some of their RNA segments, the M and NS segments. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge gathered on this interplay between influenza viruses and the cellular spliceosome, with a particular focus on influenza A viruses (IAV). These viruses have developed accurate regulation mechanisms to reassign the host spliceosome to alter host cellular expression and enable an optimal expression of specific spliced viral products throughout infection. Moreover, IAV segments undergoing splicing display high levels of similarity with human consensus splice sites and their viral transcripts show noteworthy secondary structures. Sequence alignments and consensus analyses, along with recently published studies, suggest both conservation and evolution of viral splice site sequences and structure for improved adaptation to the host. Altogether, these results emphasize the ability of IAV to be well adapted to the host's splicing machinery, and further investigations may contribute to a better understanding of splicing regulation with regard to viral replication, host range, and pathogenesis.
Topics: Animals; Gene Expression Regulation; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; Humans; Orthomyxoviridae; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; RNA Precursors; RNA Splicing; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Viral; Viral Nonstructural Proteins; Viral Tropism; Virus Replication
PubMed: 24825008
DOI: 10.1128/mBio.00070-14 -
Medicinal Research Reviews Mar 2014Influenza A and B viruses are highly contagious respiratory pathogens with a considerable medical and socioeconomical burden and known pandemic potential. Current... (Review)
Review
Influenza A and B viruses are highly contagious respiratory pathogens with a considerable medical and socioeconomical burden and known pandemic potential. Current influenza vaccines require annual updating and provide only partial protection in some risk groups. Due to the global spread of viruses with resistance to the M2 proton channel inhibitor amantadine or the neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir, novel antiviral agents with an original mode of action are urgently needed. We here focus on emerging options to interfere with the influenza virus entry process, which consists of the following steps: attachment of the viral hemagglutinin to the sialylated host cell receptors, endocytosis, M2-mediated uncoating, low pH-induced membrane fusion, and, finally, import of the viral ribonucleoprotein into the nucleus. We review the current functional and structural insights in the viral and cellular components of this entry process, and the diverse antiviral strategies that are being explored. This encompasses small molecule inhibitors as well as macromolecules such as therapeutic antibodies. There is optimism that at least some of these innovative concepts to block influenza virus entry will proceed from the proof of concept to a more advanced stage. Special attention is therefore given to the challenging issues of influenza virus (sub)type-dependent activity or potential drug resistance.
Topics: Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; Antiviral Agents; Endocytosis; Membrane Fusion; Orthomyxoviridae; Virus Internalization
PubMed: 23801557
DOI: 10.1002/med.21289