Authors: E J A Schrauwen M de Graaf S Herfst G F Rimmelzwaan A D M E Osterhaus R A M Fouchier
Publish Date: 2013/09/29
Volume: 33, Issue: 4, Pages: 479-490
Abstract
Influenza A viruses cause yearly seasonal epidemics and occasional global pandemics in humans In the last century four human influenza A virus pandemics have occurred Occasionally influenza A viruses that circulate in other species cross the species barrier and infect humans Virus reassortment ie mixing of gene segments of multiple viruses and the accumulation of mutations contribute to the emergence of new influenza A virus variants Fortunately most of these variants do not have the ability to spread among humans and subsequently cause a pandemic In this review we focus on the threat of animal influenza A viruses which have shown the ability to infect humans In addition genetic factors which could alter the virulence of influenza A viruses are discussed The identification and characterisation of these factors may provide insights into genetic traits which change virulence and help us to understand which genetic determinants are of importance for the pandemic potential of animal influenza A viruses
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