title: Influenza and the challenge for immunology.
abstract: The continued westward dissemination of H5N1 influenza A viruses in avian populations and the nearly 50% mortality rate of humans infected with H5N1 are a source of great international concern. A mutant H5N1 virus with the capability to spread rapidly between humans could cause a global catastrophe. Governments have reacted by developing national response plans, stockpiling antiviral drugs and speeding up the development and approval of vaccines. Here we summarize what is known about the interaction between influenza A viruses and the mammalian host response, specifically emphasizing issues that might be of interest to the broader immunology community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne School of Medicine, Victoria 3010, Australia. pcd@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Doherty
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Webby
authors.forename: Paul G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001717:Birds / Q000821:virology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007252:Influenza Vaccines