Efficacy of Neuraminidase Inhibitors against H5N6 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus in a Nonhuman Primate Model.

ABSTRACT: Attention has been paid to H5N6 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) because of its heavy burden on the poultry industry and human mortality. Since an influenza A virus carrying N6 neuraminidase (NA) has never spread in humans, the potential for H5N6 HPAIV to cause disease in humans and the efficacy of antiviral drugs against the virus need to be urgently assessed. We used nonhuman primates to elucidate the pathogenesis of H5N6 HPAIV as well as to determine the efficacy of antiviral drugs against the virus. H5N6 HPAIV infection led to high fever in cynomolgus macaques. The lung injury caused by the virus was severe, with diffuse alveolar damage and neutrophil infiltration. In addition, an increase in interferon alpha (IFN-α) showed an inverse correlation with virus titers during

SUBMITTER: Nguyen CT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7318037 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature