scholarly journals Incorporating demographic stochasticity into multi-strain epidemic models: application to influenza A

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (40) ◽  
pp. 989-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavlo Minayev ◽  
Neil Ferguson

We develop mathematical models of the transmission and evolution of multi-strain pathogens that incorporate strain extinction and the stochastic generation of new strains via mutation. The dynamics resulting from these models is then examined with the applied aim of understanding the mechanisms underpinning the evolution and dynamics of rapidly mutating pathogens, such as human influenza viruses. Our approach, while analytically relatively simple, gives results that are qualitatively similar to those obtained from much more complex individually based simulation models. We examine strain dynamics as a function of cross-immunity and key transmission parameters, and show that introducing strain extinction and modelling mutation as a stochastic process significantly changes the model dynamics, leading to lower strain diversity, reduced infection prevalence and shorter strain lifetimes. Finally, we incorporate transient strain-transcending immunity in the model and demonstrate that it reduces strain diversity further, giving patterns of sequential strain replacement similar to that seen in human influenza A viruses.

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 815
Author(s):  
Cindy M. Spruit ◽  
Nikoloz Nemanichvili ◽  
Masatoshi Okamatsu ◽  
Hiromu Takematsu ◽  
Geert-Jan Boons ◽  
...  

The first step in influenza virus infection is the binding of hemagglutinin to sialic acid-containing glycans present on the cell surface. Over 50 different sialic acid modifications are known, of which N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) are the two main species. Animal models with α2,6 linked Neu5Ac in the upper respiratory tract, similar to humans, are preferred to enable and mimic infection with unadapted human influenza A viruses. Animal models that are currently most often used to study human influenza are mice and ferrets. Additionally, guinea pigs, cotton rats, Syrian hamsters, tree shrews, domestic swine, and non-human primates (macaques and marmosets) are discussed. The presence of NeuGc and the distribution of sialic acid linkages in the most commonly used models is summarized and experimentally determined. We also evaluated the role of Neu5Gc in infection using Neu5Gc binding viruses and cytidine monophosphate-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH)-/- knockout mice, which lack Neu5Gc and concluded that Neu5Gc is unlikely to be a decoy receptor. This article provides a base for choosing an appropriate animal model. Although mice are one of the most favored models, they are hardly naturally susceptible to infection with human influenza viruses, possibly because they express mainly α2,3 linked sialic acids with both Neu5Ac and Neu5Gc modifications. We suggest using ferrets, which resemble humans closely in the sialic acid content, both in the linkages and the lack of Neu5Gc, lung organization, susceptibility, and disease pathogenesis.


eLife ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin A Russell ◽  
Peter M Kasson ◽  
Ruben O Donis ◽  
Steven Riley ◽  
John Dunbar ◽  
...  

Assessing the pandemic risk posed by specific non-human influenza A viruses is an important goal in public health research. As influenza virus genome sequencing becomes cheaper, faster, and more readily available, the ability to predict pandemic potential from sequence data could transform pandemic influenza risk assessment capabilities. However, the complexities of the relationships between virus genotype and phenotype make such predictions extremely difficult. The integration of experimental work, computational tool development, and analysis of evolutionary pathways, together with refinements to influenza surveillance, has the potential to transform our ability to assess the risks posed to humans by non-human influenza viruses and lead to improved pandemic preparedness and response.


2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Y. K. Wong ◽  
Celeste Donato ◽  
Yi-Mo Deng ◽  
Don Teng ◽  
Naomi Komadina ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTGlobal swine populations infected with influenza A viruses pose a persistent pandemic risk. With the exception of a few countries, our understanding of the genetic diversity of swine influenza viruses is limited, hampering control measures and pandemic risk assessment. Here we report the genomic characteristics and evolutionary history of influenza A viruses isolated in Australia from 2012 to 2016 from two geographically isolated swine populations in the states of Queensland and Western Australia. Phylogenetic analysis with an expansive human and swine influenza virus data set comprising >40,000 sequences sampled globally revealed evidence of the pervasive introduction and long-term establishment of gene segments derived from several human influenza viruses of past seasons, including the H1N1/1977, H1N1/1995, H3N2/1968, and H3N2/2003, and the H1N1 2009 pandemic (H1N1pdm09) influenza A viruses, and a genotype that contained gene segments derived from the past three pandemics (1968, reemerged 1977, and 2009). Of the six human-derived gene lineages, only one, comprising two viruses isolated in Queensland during 2012, was closely related to swine viruses detected from other regions, indicating a previously undetected circulation of Australian swine lineages for approximately 3 to 44 years. Although the date of introduction of these lineages into Australian swine populations could not be accurately ascertained, we found evidence of sustained transmission of two lineages in swine from 2012 to 2016. The continued detection of human-origin influenza virus lineages in swine over several decades with little or unpredictable antigenic drift indicates that isolated swine populations can act as antigenic archives of human influenza viruses, raising the risk of reemergence in humans when sufficient susceptible populations arise.IMPORTANCEWe describe the evolutionary origins and antigenic properties of influenza A viruses isolated from two separate Australian swine populations from 2012 to 2016, showing that these viruses are distinct from each other and from those isolated from swine globally. Whole-genome sequencing of virus isolates revealed a high genotypic diversity that had been generated exclusively through the introduction and establishment of human influenza viruses that circulated in past seasons. We detected six reassortants with gene segments derived from human H1N1/H1N1pdm09 and various human H3N2 viruses that circulated during various periods since 1968. We also found that these swine viruses were not related to swine viruses collected elsewhere, indicating independent circulation. The detection of unique lineages and genotypes in Australia suggests that isolated swine populations that are sufficiently large can sustain influenza virus for extensive periods; we show direct evidence of a sustained transmission for at least 4 years between 2012 and 2016.


2001 ◽  
Vol 356 (1416) ◽  
pp. 1861-1870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan J. Hay ◽  
Victoria Gregory ◽  
Alan R. Douglas ◽  
Yi Pu Lin

The evolution of influenza viruses results in (i) recurrent annual epidemics of disease that are caused by progressive antigenic drift of influenza A and B viruses due to the mutability of the RNA genome and (ii) infrequent but severe pandemics caused by the emergence of novel influenza A subtypes to which the population has little immunity. The latter characteristic is a consequence of the wide antigenic diversity and peculiar host range of influenza A viruses and the ability of their segmented RNA genomes to undergo frequent genetic reassortment (recombination) during mixed infections. Contrasting features of the evolution of recently circulating influenza AH1N1, AH3N2 and B viruses include the rapid drift of AH3N2 viruses as a single lineage, the slow replacement of successive antigenic variants of AH1N1 viruses and the co–circulation over some 25 years of antigenically and genetically distinct lineages of influenza B viruses. Constant monitoring of changes in the circulating viruses is important for maintaining the efficacy of influenza vaccines in combating disease.


1999 ◽  
Vol 73 (12) ◽  
pp. 10158-10163 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. P. Zhirnov ◽  
T. E. Konakova ◽  
W. Garten ◽  
H.-D. Klenk

ABSTRACT The nucleocapsid protein (NP) (56 kDa) of human influenza A viruses is cleaved in infected cells into a 53-kDa form. Likewise, influenza B virus NP (64 kDa) is cleaved into a 55-kDa protein with a 62-kDa intermediate (O. P. Zhirnov and A. G. Bukrinskaya, Virology 109:174–179, 1981). We show now that an antibody specific for the N terminus of influenza A virus NP reacted with the uncleaved 56-kDa form but not with the truncated NP53 form, indicating the removal of a 3-kDa peptide from the N terminus. Amino acid sequencing revealed the cleavage sites ETD16*G for A/Aichi/68 NP and sites DID7*G and EAD61*V for B/Hong Kong/72 NP. With D at position −1, acidic amino acids at position −3, and aliphatic ones at positions −2 and +1, the NP cleavage sites show a recognition motif typical for caspases, key enzymes of apoptosis. These caspase cleavage sites demonstrated evolutionary stability and were retained in NPs of all human influenza A and B viruses. NP of avian influenza viruses, which is not cleaved in infected cells, contains G instead of D at position 16. Oligopeptide DEVD derivatives, specific caspase inhibitors, were shown to prevent the intracellular cleavage of NP. All three events, the NP cleavage, the increase of caspase activity, and the development of apoptosis, coincide in cells infected with human influenza A and B viruses. The data suggest that intracellular cleavage of NP is exerted by host caspases and is associated with the development of apoptosis at the late stages of infection.


2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (13) ◽  
pp. 3721-3726 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Poulson ◽  
S. M. Tompkins ◽  
R. D. Berghaus ◽  
J. D. Brown ◽  
D. E. Stallknecht

ABSTRACTThe movement of influenza A viruses (IAVs) from wild bird reservoirs to domestic animals and humans is well established, but the transmission mechanisms that facilitate efficient movement across and within these host populations are not fully defined. Although predominant routes of transmission vary between host populations, the extent of environmental stability needed for efficient IAV transmission also may vary. Because of this, we hypothesized that virus stability would differ in response to varied host-related transmission mechanisms; if correct, such phenotypic variation might represent a potential marker for the emergence of novel animal or human influenza viruses. Here, the objective was to evaluate the ability of eight swine and six human IAV isolates to remain infective under various pH, temperature, and salinity conditions using a preestablished distilled water system. Swine and human viruses persisted longest at near-neutral pH, at cold temperatures, or under “freshwater” conditions. Additionally, no significant differences in persistence were observed between pandemic and nonpandemic IAVs. Our results indicate that there have been no apparent changes in the environmental stability of the viruses related to host adaptation.IMPORTANCEThis study assessed the environmental stability of eight swine and six human influenza A viruses (IAVs), including viruses associated with the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, in a distilled water system. The important findings of this work are that IAV persistence can be affected by environmental variables and that no marked changes were noted between human and swine IAVs or between pandemic and nonpandemic IAVs.


2006 ◽  
Vol 59 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 29-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Hrnjakovic-Cvjetkovic ◽  
Dejan Cvjetkovic ◽  
Vera Jerant-Patic ◽  
Vesna Milosevic ◽  
Jelena Tadic-Radovanov ◽  
...  

Introduction. Influenza A viruses can infect humans, some mammals and especially birds. Subtypes of human influenza A viruses: ACH1N1), ACH2N2) and A(H3N2) have caused pandemics. Avian influenza viruses vary owing to their 15 hemagglutinins (H) and 9 neuraminidases (N). Human cases of avian influenza A In the Netherlands in 2003, there were 83 human cases of influenza A (H7N7). In 1997, 18 cases of H5N1 influenza A, of whom 6 died, were found among residents of Hong Kong. In 2004, 34 human cases (23 deaths) were reported in Viet Nam and Thailand. H5N1 virus-infected patients presented with fever and respiratory symptoms. Complications included respiratory distress syndrome, renal failure, liver dysfunction and hematologic disorders. Since 1999, 7 cases of human influenza H9N2 infection have been identified in China and Hong Kong. The importance of human infection with avian influenza viruses. H5N1 virus can directly infect humans. Genetic reassortment of human and avian influenza viruses may occur in humans co infected with current human A(HIN1) or A(H3N2) subtypes and avian influenza viruses. The result would be a new influenza virus with pandemic potential. All genes of H5Nl viruses isolated from humans are of avian origin. Prevention and control. The reassortant virus containing H and N from avian and the remaining proteins from human influenza viruses will probably be used as a vaccine strain. The most important control measures are rapid destruction of all infected or exposed birds and rigorous disinfection of farms. Individuals exposed to suspected animals should receive prophylactic treatment with antivirals and annual vaccination. .


2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (10) ◽  
pp. 1345-1349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michiko Ujie ◽  
Kosuke Takada ◽  
Maki Kiso ◽  
Yuko Sakai-Tagawa ◽  
Mutsumi Ito ◽  
...  

Long-term culture of the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 promotes the differentiation of these cells toward an alveolar type II cell phenotype. Here, we evaluated the susceptibility of long-term cultured A549 cells to human influenza viruses. A549 cells were cultured continuously for 25 days (D25-A549) or 1 day (D1-A549) in Ham’s F12K medium. Six human influenza A viruses grew much faster in D25-A549 cells than in D1-A549 cells; however, two influenza B viruses replicated poorly in both cell types. Two avian influenza viruses replicated efficiently in both cell types, with similar titres. Expression levels of human virus receptors were higher in D25-A549 cells than in D1-A549 cells. D25-A549 cells thus more efficiently support the replication of human influenza A viruses compared with D1-A549 cells. Our data suggest that long-term cultured A549 cells will be useful for influenza A virus research.


eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvin X Han ◽  
Zandra C Felix Garza ◽  
Matthijs RA Welkers ◽  
René M Vigeveno ◽  
Nhu Duong Tran ◽  
...  

The evolution of influenza viruses is fundamentally shaped by within-host processes. However, the within-host evolutionary dynamics of influenza viruses remain incompletely understood, in part because most studies have focused on infections in healthy adults based on single timepoint data. Here, we analysed the within-host evolution of 82 longitudinally-sampled individuals, mostly young children, infected with A/H1N1pdm09 or A/H3N2 viruses between 2007 and 2009. For A/H1N1pdm09 infections during the 2009 pandemic, nonsynonymous minority variants were more prevalent than synonymous ones. For A/H3N2 viruses in young children, early infection was dominated by purifying selection. As these infections progressed, nonsynonymous variants typically increased in frequency even when within-host virus titres decreased. Unlike the short-lived infections of adults where de novo within-host variants are rare, longer infections in young children allow for the maintenance of virus diversity via mutation-selection balance creating potentially important opportunities for within-host virus evolution.


Author(s):  
Mohamed Derouich

Throughout the world, seasonal outbreaks of influenza affect millions of people, killing about 500,000 individuals every year. Human influenza viruses are classified into 3 serotypes: A, B, and C. Only influenza A viruses can infect and multiply in avian species. During the last decades, important avian influenza epidemics have occurred and so far, the epidemics among birds have been transmitted to humans; but the most feared problem is the risk of pandemics that may be caused by person-to person transmission. The present mathematical model deals with the dynamics of human infection by avian influenza both in birds and in humans. Stability analysis is carried out and the behaviour of the disease is illustrated by simulation with different parameters values.


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