Avian-human reassortant influenza A viruses derived by mating avian and human influenza A viruses

Reassortant influenza A viruses were produced by mating an avian virus (A/Mallard/NY/78, A/Mallard/Alberta/78, or A/Pintail/Alberta/79) with a wild-type human influenza A virus. From each mating a reassortant virus was obtained that contained the genes coding for the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase surface antigens of the human influenza A wild-type virus and the six other RNA segments ("internal genes") of the avian influenza A virus parent. The avian-human reassortant influenza viruses produced resembled their avian virus parent in that they produced plaques on MDCK monolayers at 42 C, a temperature restrictive for the human influenza viruses. In the trachea of squirrel monkeys, each avian-human reassortant influenza virus was as restricted in its replication as was its avian influenza virus parent. Thus, one or more of the six internal genes of each avian parent virus was responsible for restriction of the reassortant virus in monkeys. The A/Washington/80 X A/Mallard/NY/78 reassortant virus retained its phenotype of restricted replication in monkeys after five serial passages in vivo. It also failed to transmit to cagemates or induce resistance to wild-type virus challenge, and it did not initiate a systemic or enteric infection. These findings form the basis for evaluation of these attenuated avian-human reassortant influenza A viruses as live attenuated vaccines for humans.