Influenza A virus
Influenza A virus (IAV) is a pathogen with strains that infect birds and some mammals, as well as causing seasonal flu in humans.[1] Mammals in which different strains of IAV circulate with sustained transmission are bats, pigs, horses and dogs; other mammals can occasionally become infected.[2][3]
IAV is an enveloped negative-sense RNA virus, with a segmented genome.[3] Through a combination of mutation and genetic reassortment the virus can evolve to acquire new characteristics, enabling it to evade host immunity and occasionally to jump from one species of host to another.[4][5]
Subtypes of IAV are defined by the combination of the antigenic H and N proteins in the viral envelope; for example, "H1N1" designates an IAV subtype that has a type-1 hemagglutinin (H) protein and a type-1 neuraminidase (N) protein.[6] Almost all possible combinations of H (1 thru 16) and N (1 thru 11) have been isolated from wild birds.[7] Further variations exist within the subtypes and can lead to very significant differences in the virus's ability to infect and cause disease, as well as to the severity of symptoms.[8][9]
Symptoms of human seasonal flu usually include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, conjunctivitis and, in severe cases, breathing problems and pneumonia that may be fatal.[10][1] Humans can rarely become infected with strains of avian or swine influenza, usually as a result of close contact with infected animals; symptoms range from mild to severe including death.[11][12] Bird-adapted strains of the virus can be asymptomatic in some aquatic birds but lethal if they spread to other species, such as chickens.[13]
IAV disease in poultry can be can be prevented by vaccination, however biosecurity control measures are preferred.[14][15] In humans, seasonal influenza can be treated in its early stages with antiviral medicines.[16] A global network, the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) monitors the spread of influenza with the aim to inform development of both seasonal and pandemic vaccines.[17] Several millions of specimens are tested by the GISRS network annually through a network of laboratories in 127 countries. As well as human viruses, GISRS monitors avian, swine, and other potentially zoonotic influenza viruses. IAV vaccines need to be reformulated regularly in order to keep up with changes in the virus.[18]
Virology[edit]
Classification[edit]
Influenza A virus is the only species of the genus Alphainfluenzavirus of the virus family Orthomyxoviridae.[19] There are two methods of classification, one based on surface proteins (originally serotypes),[20] and the other based on its behavior, mainly the host animal.