As we discussed previously, attachment of all influenza A virus strains to cells requires sialic acids. However, there are a number of chemically different forms of sialic acids, and influenza virus strains vary in their affinity for them. These differences may determine which animal species can be infected. In the example shown below, sialic acid …
Influenza virus attachment to cells: role of different sialic acids Read More »
In a recent press conference (transcript pdf), Dr. Keiji Fukuda of WHO made the following statement about infection with the new influenza H1N1 strains: The illness that we are seeing is generally consisting with seasonal influenza infection. That is the kind of symptoms that the milder cases are experiencing and generally what are seen with …
Here is an update on the global swine flu situation as of 4 May 2009, and comments on interesting unresolved questions. There have been laboratory confirmed cases of infection in over half of the United States (30), with a total of 226 cases and the one death in Texas last week. Globally, 20 countries have …
Here are my answers to questions about the currently circulating influenza H1N1 strain (formerly swine flu) sent by readers of virology blog. Q: I am concerned about any changes the current AH1N1 virus may undergo as we enter the flu season in the Southern Hemisphere, and when it gets to Indonesia and faces H5N1. What …
Influenza A/Mexico/2009 (H1N1): Questions and answers Read More »
On episode #30 of the podcast “This Week in Virology”, Vincent, Dick, Alan, and Hamish Young focus on the new H1N1 influenza virus, which originated in swine and is likely to be the next pandemic strain. [powerpress url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/twiv/TWiV030.mp3″] Click the arrow above to play, or right-click to download TWiV #30 or subscribe in iTunes or …
The second RNA segment of the influenza virus genome encodes two proteins, PB1 and PB1-F2. The latter protein is believed to be an important determinant of virulence of influenza virus. Can we learn anything about the virulence of the new influenza virus H1N1 strains from a study of this protein? During influenza virus infection, PB1-F2 …
Influenza A/Mexico/2009 (H1N1): Absence of crucial virulence marker Read More »
