LITERATURE UPDATE


Avian influenza virus infection: a selection of research interest


The recent spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the domestic and wild bird population has once again caused thoughts to turn to ongoing pandemic preparedness both in animals and humans. Here, Pathology in Practice Science Editor Brian Nation reviews a selection of current interest in this virus in the scientific literature.


A Brief Introduction to Avian Influenza Virus Spackman E. Methods Mol Biol. 2020; 2123: 83–92. doi: 10.1007/978-1- 0716-0346-8_7.


The earliest recorded cases of what was likely high-pathogenicity AIV in poultry were reported in Italy in the 1870s. Avian influenza infection has been recognised in domestic poultry through the modern era of poultry production. Infection of poultry with either low pathogenic (LP) or highly pathogenic (HP) avian influenza viruses (AIVs) can result in substantial economic consequences. Productivity can be reduced directly and indirectly because of disease leading to decreased egg or meat yield, mortality, vaccination costs, and restricted trade. Aquatic birds are the natural hosts for AIV, and infection tends to be subclinical, although some strains of HPAIV can cause losses in domestic ducks. Biosecurity and vaccination are the most common methods of preventing infection of poultry. Approaches to AIV control vary widely, but elimination of the disease in poultry is a common goal. The basics of AIV biology, clinical disease, molecular aspects, and AIV detection are briefly reviewed.


Avian Influenza Virus Tropism in Humans


AbuBakar U, Amrani L, Kamarulzaman FA, Karsani SA, Hassandarvish P, Khairat JE. Viruses. 2023 Mar 24; 15 (4): 833. doi: 10.3390/v15040833.


An influenza pandemic happens when a novel influenza A virus is able to infect and transmit efficiently to a new, distinct host species. Although the exact timing of pandemics is uncertain, it is known that both viral and host factors play a role in their emergence. Species- specific interactions between the virus


Avian influenza A H5N1 virus particles (green), grown in kidney epithelial cells (colourised transmission electron micrograph).


and the host cell determine the virus tropism, including binding and entering cells, replicating the viral RNA genome within the host cell nucleus, assembling, maturing and releasing the virus to neighbouring cells, tissues or organs before transmitting it between individuals. The influenza A virus has a vast and antigenically varied reservoir. In wild aquatic birds, the infection is typically asymptomatic. Avian influenza virus (AIV) can cross into new species, and occasionally it can acquire the ability to transmit from human to human. A pandemic might occur if a new influenza virus acquires enough adaptive mutations to maintain transmission between people. This review highlights the key


determinants that AIV must achieve to initiate a human pandemic and describes how AIV mutates to establish tropism and stable human adaptation. Understanding the tropism of AIV may be crucial in preventing virus transmission in humans and may help the design of vaccines, antivirals and therapeutic agents against the virus.


Advances in Detection Techniques for the H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus Fu X, Wang Q, Ma B et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Dec 5; 24 (24): 17157. doi: 10.3390/ ijms242417157.


WWW.PATHOLOGYINPRACTICE.COM APRIL 2025


Avian influenza is caused by avian influenza virus infection; the H5N1 avian influenza virus is a highly pathogenic subtype, affecting poultry and human health. Since the discovery of the highly pathogenic subtype of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, it has caused enormous losses to the poultry farming industry. It was recently found that the H5N1 avian influenza virus tends to spread among mammals. Therefore, early rapid detection methods are highly significant for effectively preventing the spread of H5N1. This paper discusses the detection technologies used in the detection of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, including serological detection technology, immunological detection technology, molecular biology detection technology, genetic detection technology, and biosensors. Comparisons of these detection technologies were analysed, aiming to provide some recommendations for the detection of the H5N1 avian influenza virus.


Zoonotic infections by avian influenza virus: changing global epidemiology, investigation, and control Kang M, Wang LF, Sun BW et al. Lancet Infect Dis. 2024 Aug; 24 (8): e522–e531. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(24)00234-2.


Avian influenza virus continues to pose zoonotic, epizootic, and pandemic threats worldwide, as exemplified by the 2020-23 epizootics of re-emerging H5 genotype avian influenza viruses among birds and mammals and the fatal jump to humans of emerging A(H3N8) in early 2023. Future influenza pandemic threats are driven by extensive mutations and reassortments of avian influenza viruses rooted in frequent


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flickr / CDC and NIAID


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