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Reassortment patterns in Swine influenza viruses
Hossein Khiabanian1, Vladimir Trifonov, Raul Rabadan
1Columbia University.
Plos Currents
|March 2, 2012
Summary
Swine influenza viruses act as "mixing vessels," facilitating reassortment. Statistical analysis of swine viruses reveals that glycoprotein segments and the PB1 polymerase segment frequently reassort, contributing to human pandemics.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Influenza pandemics often originate from non-human reservoirs, with some strains having mixed human and avian origins.
- Swine influenza viruses (SIVs) can infect humans, as exemplified by the recent H1N1 strain.
- Pigs are suspected
- mixing vessels
- due to their susceptibility to human, avian, and swine influenza viruses, enabling reassortment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reassortment phenomena in swine influenza viruses using statistical techniques.
- To analyze publicly available swine virus data to understand genetic reassortment patterns.
Main Methods:
- Application of several statistical techniques.
- Analysis of an ensemble of publicly available swine virus genetic data.
Main Results:
- Reassortment patterns in swine viruses were identified.
- Glycoprotein coding segments were confirmed to be the most frequently reassorting segments, consistent with findings in human influenza viruses.
- The PB1 polymerase segment, implicated in the 1957 and 1968 pandemics, also shows frequent reassortment in swine strains.
Conclusions:
- Swine influenza viruses play a significant role in the generation of pandemic influenza strains through genetic reassortment.
- The findings highlight the importance of monitoring swine viruses for pandemic preparedness.
- Glycoprotein and PB1 polymerase segments are key targets for understanding influenza virus evolution and pandemic potential.
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