title: Transmission of H7N9 influenza virus in mice by different infective routes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  On 19 February 2013, the first patient infected with a novel influenza A H7N9 virus from an avian source showed symptoms of sickness. More than 349 laboratory-confirmed cases and 109 deaths have been reported in mainland China since then. Laboratory-confirmed, human-to-human H7N9 virus transmission has not been documented between individuals having close contact; however, this transmission route could not be excluded for three families. To control the spread of the avian influenza H7N9 virus, we must better understand its pathogenesis, transmissibility, and transmission routes in mammals. Studies have shown that this particular virus is transmitted by aerosols among ferrets.
  
  
  METHODS
  To study potential transmission routes in animals with direct or close contact to other animals, we investigated these factors in a murine model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Viable H7N9 avian influenza virus was detected in the upper and lower respiratory tracts, intestine, and brain of model mice. The virus was transmissible between mice in close contact, with a higher concentration of virus found in pharyngeal and ocular secretions, and feces. All these biological materials were contagious for naïve mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that the possible transmission routes for the H7N9 influenza virus were through mucosal secretions and feces.
authors.forename: Linlin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: Fengdi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Yanfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yanhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jiangning
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yanfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Pin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Honglin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) & Comparative Medicine Center, Peking Union Medical Collage (PUMC); Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative Medicine, Ministry of Health, No, 5 Pan Jia Yuan Nan Li, Beijing 100021, Chaoyang District, China. qinchuan@pumc.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Chuan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Qin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D064766:Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C