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Predicting how dangerous new flu pathogens are
Year after year, reports of bird flu outbreaks are reported again and again. In this country, people have been largely spared so far, but the fear of infection is great. Researchers have now developed a new method to assess whether animal influenza viruses pose a threat to humans.
Animal influenza viruses can be dangerous for humans
In recent years there have been recurrent bird flu outbreaks in Germany. The consequence of this was that in each case tons of poultry had to be killed. In the case of humans, the animal influenza viruses cause great unrest, they ask themselves questions like: Can poultry meat still be eaten? Or how dangerous is bird flu for humans really? A new method, developed by researchers at the University Hospital of Freiburg, now helps to assess whether animal influenza viruses are dangerous to humans.
German researchers have developed a new method that can predict whether animal influenza viruses pose a risk to humans. (Image: auremar / fotolia.com) Bird flu in Germany
Influenza A viruses that are transmitted from animals to humans can cause worldwide disease waves. For example, influenza viruses from birds can cause severe flu when they affect humans.
They can also lead to devastating pandemics. The avian influenza virus H5N8 is currently rife in Germany. For poultry it is highly contagious. However, a transmission of this virus subtype to humans has not been known.
However, other viruses, such as H7N9, have been shown to be transmissible to humans and can cause typical bird flu symptoms, such as fever, cough and sore throat.
Predict the risk of infection
For newly discovered virus types from birds, it is still difficult to predict whether they can make people ill and whether they can spread in the human population.
But scientists at the University Hospital Freiburg have now been able to experimentally verify the risk of such infection, the clinic reported in a statement.
A summary of the study can be found in the journal "EurekAlert!".
Human resistance gene against animal influenza viruses
The researchers equipped for laboratory mice with a gene for influenza virus defense in humans. The resistance factor MxA is considered to be an essential component of genetic viral defense in humans.
While normal mice lacking MxA are susceptible to many types of influenza A virus, mice bearing the human resistance gene against animal influenza viruses were highly resistant.
However, the animals were sensitive to those virus types that have been circulating in the human population for some time.
Hazard potential for the human population
The new animal model can therefore help to better estimate the potential danger of new influenza viruses from the animal world for the human population.
"With our approach, we can quickly and reliably determine if newly discovered influenza viruses pose a danger to humans," said Prof. Dr. med. Peter Stäheli, research group leader at the Institute of Virology of the University Medical Center Freiburg.
"An appropriate test could in the future significantly complement the risk assessment based on previously common virus genome analyzes. As a result, the protective measures against an increased risk potential could be adapted in good time ".
The study was published in the journal "The Journal of Experimental Medicine". (Ad)