An NA-deficient 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus mutant can efficiently replicate in cultured cells

We identified a novel neuraminidase (NA)-deficient virus that was a 2009 pandemic influenza H1N1 virus mutant. The mutant virus had a deletion of 1,009 nt in the NA gene and lacked an enzymatic domain. Although the yield of the NA-deficient virus was limited, it formed large plaques when applied to MDCK cell cultures, indicating that the virus was able to spread to adjacent cells. Furthermore, the NA-deficient virus was eluted from chicken erythrocytes at 37 °C, even in the presence of the antiviral drug peramivir. Spread of this NA-deficient virus may pose a potential threat to anti-influenza therapies.