title: H7N9 influenza viruses are transmissible in ferrets by respiratory droplet.
abstract: A newly emerged H7N9 virus has caused 132 human infections with 37 deaths in China since 18 February 2013. Control measures in H7N9 virus-positive live poultry markets have reduced the number of infections; however, the character of the virus, including its pandemic potential, remains largely unknown. We systematically analyzed H7N9 viruses isolated from birds and humans. The viruses were genetically closely related and bound to human airway receptors; some also maintained the ability to bind to avian airway receptors. The viruses isolated from birds were nonpathogenic in chickens, ducks, and mice; however, the viruses isolated from humans caused up to 30% body weight loss in mice. Most importantly, one virus isolated from humans was highly transmissible in ferrets by respiratory droplet. Our findings indicate nothing to reduce the concern that these viruses can transmit between humans.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150001, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Qianyi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jianzhong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Guohua
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Xianying
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Xijun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Huihui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Chunyang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Xuyong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jinxiong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Guojun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Liling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Libin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Yuanyuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Jinliang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wenhui
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lizheng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Qimeng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Huanliang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Pucheng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Yuntao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Xiaoguang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xin
authors.forename: Yongping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Guobin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Xiurong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chuanling
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Qiao
authors.forename: Chengjun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhigao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bu
authors.forename: Hualan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000821:virology; D010856:Columbidae / Q000821:virology; D004372:Ducks / Q000821:virology; D005289:Ferrets / Q000821:virology*; D005814:Genes, Viral; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000821:virology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000378:metabolism; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000821:virology*; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011991:Receptors, Virus; C092488:sialic acid receptor