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Updated: May 17, 2025

Influenza A Virus Studies in a Mouse Model of Infection
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Influenza A Virus Studies in a Mouse Model of Infection

Published on: September 7, 2017

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Influenza virus: Genomic insights, evolution, and its clinical presentation

Rishika Jain1, Himanshu Sharma1, Lindomar Pena2

  • 1Department of Zoology, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Mahatma Hansraj Marg, Malkaganj, Delhi, 110007, India.

Microbial Pathogenesis
|May 9, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Influenza A virus (IAV) poses a significant global health threat, causing millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. This review details IAV

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Public Health
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Influenza A virus (IAV) is a major global health concern, causing annual epidemics and occasional pandemics.
  • High mutation rates of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) proteins lead to novel strains, necessitating continuous vaccine and drug updates.
  • IAV infections disproportionately affect the elderly, infants, and individuals with respiratory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of influenza virus.
  • To elucidate the genomic structure, evolution, pathogenicity, and clinical presentation of influenza virus.
  • To aid in distinguishing influenza from other respiratory viruses and guide the development of new antivirals and vaccines.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and analysis of existing data on influenza virus.
  • Examination of genomic, evolutionary, and pathogenic factors of IAV.
  • Comparison of clinical presentations of influenza and other respiratory viruses.

Main Results:

  • Influenza virus exhibits rapid evolution through antigenic drift and shift, driven by HA and NA protein mutations.
  • Clinical diagnosis can be challenging due to symptom overlap with other respiratory viruses.
  • Understanding IAV's characteristics is crucial for effective public health strategies.

Conclusions:

  • A detailed understanding of influenza virus biology is essential for developing effective countermeasures.
  • This review provides insights to differentiate influenza from other respiratory illnesses.
  • Further research can accelerate the development of novel antiviral therapies and a universal influenza vaccine.
Keywords:
EpidemiologyGenomicsInfluenza virusReassortmentRespiratory viruses

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