Avian Influenza: Molecular adaptations and the potential role of domestic animals as "mixing vessels"

Authors: Matteo Mellace, Concetta A. Shicchitano, and Bruno Tilocca

Ger. J. Microbiol. 2024. vol. 4, Iss. 3 pp:21-35
Doi: https://doi.org/10.51585/gjm.2024.3.0040

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Abstract:

Avian influenza is an infectious disease that mainly affects wild birds but can be transmitted to other animals, including mammals and, in rare cases, humans. This article specifically explores the role of domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, as "mixing vessels" in the adaptation process of avian influenza viruses (AIV). These animals are vulnerable to infection by various influenza strains due to the presence of both avian and human sialic acid receptors in their respiratory tracts. This dual susceptibility facilitates genetic reassortment between avian and human viruses. The recombination process can generate new viral variants, increasing the risk of interspecies transmission and, in extreme cases, of a pandemic. The review analyzes the molecular mechanisms that determine the transmission and adaptation of viruses to hosts and how these domestic animals may contribute to the emergence of new viral variants. The work highlights the importance of monitoring the spread of these viruses in domestic animals to better understand the risks of virus propagation and improve surveillance strategies.

Keywords:

Avian Influenza, Interspecies transmission, Molecular adaptations, Zoonotic risk

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