Antigenic and Genetic Characteristics of Swine-Origin 2009 A(H1N1) Influenza Viruses Circulating in Humans
Abstract
As the newly emerged influenza virus starts its journey to infect the world's human population, the genetic secrets of the 2009 outbreak of swine influenza A(H1N1) are being revealed. In extensive phylogenetic analyses, Garten et al. (p. 197 , published online 22 May) confirm that of the eight elements of the virus, the basic components encoded by the hemagglutinin, nucleoprotein, and nonstructural genes originated in birds and transferred to pigs in 1918. Subsequently, these formed a triple reassortant with the RNA polymerase PB1 that transferred from birds in 1968 to humans and then to pigs in 1998, coupled with RNA polymerases PA and PB2 that transferred from birds to pigs in 1998. The neuraminidase and matrix protein genes that complete the virus came from birds and entered pigs in 1979. The analysis offers insights into drug susceptibility and virulence, as well as raising the possibility of hitherto unknown factors determining host specificity. A significant question is, what is the potential for the H1 component of the current seasonal flu vaccine to act as a booster? Apart from the need for ongoing sequencing to monitor for the emergence of new reassortants, future pig populations need to be closely monitored for emerging influenza viruses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jul 10, 2009
- Source ID
- 10.1126/science.1176225
Entities
People
- Alexander I. Klimov
- Amanda Balish
- Amanda L. Moore
- Anthony R. Sambol
- Bo Shu
- C. Todd Davis
- Carolyn B. Bridges
- Catherine B. Smith
- Celia M. Alpuche-aranda
- Christopher A. Myers
- Cindy Yu
- Claudia Pappas
- Colin A. Russell
- Daniel B. Jernigan
- David Boxrud
- David F. Burke
- David J. Stringer
- Dennis J. Faix
- Derek J Smith
- Edward A. Belongia
- Eugene Skepner
- Gail J. Demmler-harrison
- Hiram Olivera
- Hugo F. Guevara
- Hugo López-gatell
- Irma López
- Jacqueline Katz
- James Smagala
- John Barnes
- Kimberly M. Keene
- Kirsten St. George
- Larisa Gubareva
- Lyn Finelli
- Margaret Okomo-adhiambo
- Michael J. Hillman
- Michael Shaw
- Michele Ginsberg
- Miranda De Graaf
- Nancy J. Cox
- P. David Dotson Jr.
- Patricia A. Clark
- Patricia Blevins
- Patrick J. Blair
- Paula Kriner
- Pierre Rivailler
- Rebecca J. Garten
- Ron Fouchier
- Ruben Donis
- Sandra Smole
- Sara T. Beatrice
- Shannon L. Emery
- Stephen Lindstrom
- Steve Waterman
- Syed H. Abid
- Tammy Bannerman
- Timothy M. Uyeki
- Varough Deyde
- Wendy M. Sessions
- Xiyan Xu
Organizations
- California Department of Public Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Erasmus MC
- Indiana State Department of Health
- Marshfield Clinic
- National Institutes of Health
- Naval Health Research Center
- Ohio Department of Health
- South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
- Texas Children's Hospital
- University of Cambridge
- Wadsworth Center