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HERO ID
2579467
Reference Type
Journal Article
Subtype
Review
Title
Influenza A virus transmission: contributing factors and clinical implications
Author(s)
Belser, JA; Maines, TR; Tumpey, TM; Katz, JM
Year
2010
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine
ISSN:
1462-3994
Volume
12
Page Numbers
e39
Language
English
PMID
21144091
DOI
10.1017/S1462399410001705
Web of Science Id
WOS:000285716300001
Abstract
Efficient human-to-human transmission is a necessary property for the generation of a pandemic influenza virus. To date, only influenza A viruses within the H1-H3 subtypes have achieved this capacity. However, sporadic cases of severe disease in individuals following infection with avian influenza A viruses over the past decade, and the emergence of a pandemic H1N1 swine-origin virus in 2009, underscore the need to better understand how influenza viruses acquire the ability to transmit efficiently. In this review, we discuss the biological constraints and molecular features known to affect virus transmissibility to and among humans. Factors influencing the behaviour of aerosols in the environment are described, and the mammalian models used to study virus transmission are presented. Recent progress in understanding the molecular determinants that confer efficient transmission has identified crucial roles for the haemagglutinin and polymerase proteins; nevertheless, influenza virus transmission remains a polygenic trait that is not completely understood. The clinical implications of this research, including methods currently under investigation to mitigate influenza virus human-to-human transmission, are discussed. A better understanding of the viral determinants necessary for efficient transmission will allow us to identify avian influenza viruses with pandemic potential.
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