18.01.2017

Scientific Reports - 17 January 2017

A recent study in Scientific Reports found that H5N8 viruses can rapidly acquire virulence markers in mammalian hosts; thus, rapid spread as well as repeated viral introduction into the hosts may significantly increase the risk of human infection and elevate pandemic potential.
The researchers from South Korea evaluated the pathogenic potential of several H5N8 strains via the mouse-adaptation method. Two H5N8 viruses were sequentially passaged in mice and plaque-purified from lung samples. The viruses rapidly obtained high virulence within 5 passages. Sequence analysis revealed the acquisition of several virulence markers.Combinations of markers synergistically enhanced viral replication and polymerase activity in human cell lines and virulence and multiorgan dissemination in mice.