The genesis of a pandemic influenza virus

Cell. 2005 Nov 4;123(3):368-71. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2005.10.019.

Abstract

Pandemic influenza viruses pose a significant threat to public health worldwide. In a recent Nature paper, Taubenberger et al. (2005) now report remarkable similarities between the polymerase genes of the influenza virus that caused the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic and those of avian influenza viruses. Meanwhile, Tumpey et al. (2005) reporting in Science show that the reconstructed 1918 Spanish influenza virus kills mice faster than any other influenza virus so far tested.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Birds / virology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / genetics
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / genetics*
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / pathogenicity
  • Influenza in Birds / epidemiology
  • Influenza in Birds / virology
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human / transmission
  • Influenza, Human / virology*
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / genetics
  • Reassortant Viruses / genetics*
  • Reassortant Viruses / pathogenicity
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Virulence

Substances

  • Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus
  • PA protein, influenza viruses
  • PB2 protein, influenza virus
  • Viral Proteins
  • influenza virus polymerase basic protein 1
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase