title: Influenza A H5N1 replication sites in humans.
abstract: Tissue tropism and pathogenesis of influenza A virus subtype H5N1 disease in humans is not well defined. In mammalian experimental models, H5N1 influenza is a disseminated disease. However, limited previous data from human autopsies have not shown evidence of virus dissemination beyond the lung. We investigated a patient with fatal H5N1 influenza. Viral RNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in lung, intestine, and spleen tissues, but positive-stranded viral RNA indicating virus replication was confined to the lung and intestine. Viral antigen was detected in pneumocytes by immunohistochemical tests. Tumor necrosis factor-? mRNA was seen in lung tissue. In contrast to disseminated infection documented in other mammals and birds, H5N1 viral replication in humans may be restricted to the lung and intestine, and the major site of H5N1 viral replication in the lung is the pneumocyte.
authors: Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Mongkol
authors: M
authors: Uiprasertkul
authors: Pilaipan
authors: P
authors: Puthavathana
authors: Kantima
authors: K
authors: Sangsiriwut
authors: Phisanu
authors: P
authors: Pooruk
authors: Kanittar
authors: K
authors: Srisook
authors: Malik
authors: M
authors: Peiris
authors: John M
authors: JM
authors: Nicholls
authors: Kulkanya
authors: K
authors: Chokephaibulkit
authors: Nirun
authors: N
authors: Vanprapar
authors: Prasert
authors: P
authors: Auewarakul
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000502:physiology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000821:virology*; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000502:physiology*