Human infection with highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus.
Highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza A viruses have spread relentlessly across the globe since 2003, and they are associated with widespread death in poultry, substantial economic loss to farmers, and reported infections of more than 300 people with a mortality rate of 60%. The high pathogenicity of H5N1 influenza viruses and their capacity for transmission from birds to human beings has raised worldwide concern about an impending human influenza pandemic similar to the notorious H1N1 Spanish influenza of 1918. Since many aspects of H5N1 influenza research are rapidly evolving, we aim in this Seminar to provide an up-to-date discussion on select topics of interest to influenza clinicians and researchers. We summarise the clinical features and diagnosis of infection and present therapeutic options for H5N1 infection of people. We also discuss ideas relating to virus transmission, host restriction, and pathogenesis. Finally, we discuss vaccine development in view of the probable importance of vaccination in pandemic control.
Gambotto
Andrea
A
Department of Surgery, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA. agamb@pitt.edu
Barratt-Boyes
Simon M
SM
de Jong
Menno D
MD
Neumann
Gabriele
G
Kawaoka
Yoshihiro
Y
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000635:transmission
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006388:Hemagglutinins; D007252:Influenza Vaccines