Avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses can directly infect and replicate in human gut tissues.
The human respiratory tract is a major site of avian influenza A(H5N1) infection. However, many humans infected with H5N1 present with gastrointestinal tract symptoms, suggesting that this may also be a target for the virus. In this study, we demonstrated that the human gut expresses abundant avian H5N1 receptors, is readily infected ex vivo by the H5N1 virus, and produces infectious viral particles in organ culture. An autopsy colonic sample from an H5N1-infected patient showed evidence of viral antigen expression in the gut epithelium. Our results provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, that H5N1 can directly target human gut tissues.
Shu
Yuelong
Y
State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China. yshu@cnic.org.cn
Li
Chris Ka-fai
CK
Li
Zi
Z
Gao
Rongbao
R
Liang
Qian
Q
Zhang
Ye
Y
Dong
Libo
L
Zhou
Jiangfang
J
Dong
Jie
J
Wang
Dayan
D
Wen
Leying
L
Wang
Ming
M
Bai
Tian
T
Li
Dexin
D
Dong
Xiaoping
X
Yu
Hongjie
H
Yang
Weizhong
W
Wang
Yu
Y
Feng
Zijian
Z
McMichael
Andrew J
AJ
Xu
Xiao-Ning
XN
D003106:Colon / Q000821:virology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000821:virology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000821:virology; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000502:physiology*
D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C092488:sialic acid receptor