title: Avian influenza H5N1: an update on molecular pathogenesis.
abstract: Avian influenza A virus constitutes a large threat to human health. Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus in poultry and in humans have raised concerns that an influenza pandemic will occur in the near future. Transmission from avian species to humans remains sporadic, but the mortality associated with human infection is very high (about 62%). To date, there are no effective therapeutic drugs or a prophylactic vaccines available, which means that there is still a long way to go before we can eradicate or cure avian influenza. This review focuses on the molecular pathogenesis of avian influenza H5N1 virus infection. An understanding of the viral pathogenesis may facilitate the development of novel treatments or effective eradication of this fatal disease.
authors.affiliation: National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China.
authors.forename: Hongliang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chengyu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000473:pathology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000473:pathology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology