Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Using Zebrafish Models of Human Influenza A Virus Infections to Screen Antiviral Drugs and Characterize Host Immune Cell Responses
Published on: January 20, 2017
Attenuation of human influenza A viruses
Abstract:
The attenuation of two human influenza A viruses has been carried out, using the selection of inhibitor-resistant strains and multiple passages at low temperatures. A virus related to A2/Tokyo/3/67 was obtained in an inhibitor-resistant form. When this was compared with the inhibitor-sensitive strain in a volunteer trial it was relatively non-pathogenic. The second virus, A2/Hongkong/1/68, was subjected to much longer treatment, but nevertheless remained slightly sensitive to serum inhibitor. When given to volunteers it was less pathogenic than before but attenuation was incomplete. A2/Hongkong/1/68 was also modified by passage at low temperatures. Many of these passages are apparently necessary for full attenuation.All attenuated viruses were infective and antigenic.
Related Concept Videos
Leaky Scanning
Influenza
Inhibitors Of Virion Release

