Hemagglutinin characteristics, changes in pathogenicity, and antigenic variation of highly pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza viruses in China

We read with interest a recent article about the evolutionary dynamics of H7N9 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) in mainland China in this journal.1 Since 2013, five waves of the H7N9 epidemic have spread from eastern to southern and northern China. H7N9 was regarded as low pathogenic (LP) AIV in the previous four waves. In the 5th wave, some H7N9 viruses have an insertion of several basic amino acids at the HA cleavage site, which is associated with transition from low to high pathogenicity for chicken.
Source: Journal of Infection - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research