title: Sialic acid tissue distribution and influenza virus tropism.
abstract: Avian influenza A viruses exhibit a strong preference for using alpha2,3-linked sialic acid as a receptor. Until recently, the presumed lack of this receptor in human airways was believed to constitute an efficient barrier to avian influenza A virus infection of humans. Recent zoonotic outbreaks of avian influenza A virus have triggered researchers to analyse tissue distribution of sialic acid in further detail. Here, we review and extend the current knowledge about sialic acid distribution in human tissues, and discuss viruses with ocular tropism and their preference for alpha2,3-linked sialic acid.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Division of Virology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Urban
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kumlin
authors.forename: Sigvard
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Olofsson
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dimock
authors.forename: Niklas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arnberg
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000502:physiology*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D053585:Virus Attachment
chemical_list: D019158:N-Acetylneuraminic Acid