MGY440H1 Lecture Notes - Influenza A Virus Subtype H5N1, 2009 Flu Pandemic, Viral Shedding
3 Jun 2013
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Animal model ferret: mammals tend to have lower body temperatures than birds, but single known mutation that changes this, ferrets and humans similar distribution of sialic acid receptors. Inoculated ferret set next to na ve ferret: no fomite transfer, air flow. Starting virus: two known mutations that allow to bind to human sialic acid linkages, n182k also changes viral sepcficity to 2-6 linkages. Viral shedding figure: wt virus has highest titre, then double mutation (part c, tissues similar for all viruses. Pb2 mutation to allow virus to replicate at human temperature: no higher shedding, no air transmission, na ve ferrets no virus given ever, not enough to cause airborne transmission. Serial passage through ferrets experiment: 10 serial passages since flu mutates quickly, result in two mutant forms of virus. Figure of virus titers in p1 to p10: mutant titres showed improved ability to replicate, wildtype seems unaffected.
