H3N2 Influenza Viruses and Neuraminidase Activity
Author Information
Author(s): Shelly Gulati, David F. Smith, Gillian M. Air
Primary Institution: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Hypothesis
Deletions of neuraminidase and resistance to oseltamivir may be a consequence of restricted receptor specificity in recent H3N2 influenza viruses.
Conclusion
Recent H3N2 viruses have a reduced requirement for neuraminidase when passaged in MDCK cells and are resistant to neuraminidase inhibitors.
Supporting Evidence
- H3N2 viruses from 2003 to the present have reduced requirement for neuraminidase when passaged in MDCK cells.
- These viruses delete internal regions of the neuraminidase RNA during passage.
- Deletions are independently generated at each passage.
Takeaway
Some flu viruses can grow without a part that usually helps them spread, which might be because they don't stick to cells as much.
Methodology
The study involved passaging H3N2 influenza viruses in MDCK cells and analyzing their neuraminidase activity and receptor specificity.
Limitations
The study did not plaque-purify viruses with deleted NA segments, indicating a potential limitation in understanding the full impact of these deletions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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