Evolution of Influenza A Virus by Mutation and Re-Assortment

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 18; no. 8; p. 1650
• Main Authors: Shao, Wenhan, Li, Xinxin, Goraya, Mohsan, Wang, Song, Chen, Ji-Long
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 07.08.2017; MDPI
• Subjects: Animals; Evolution, Molecular; Genome, Viral; Genomes; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Influenza; Influenza A virus - classification; Influenza A virus - genetics; Influenza, Human - epidemiology; Influenza, Human - virology; Mutation; Orthomyxoviridae Infections - epidemiology; Orthomyxoviridae Infections - virology; Pathogens; Reassortant Viruses - genetics; Review; Virus Replication; Viruses; virus-host interaction; mutation; re-assortment; influenza A virus
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms18081650

Influenza A virus (IAV), a highly infectious respiratory pathogen, has continued to be a significant threat to global public health. To complete their life cycle, influenza viruses have evolved multiple strategies to interact with a host. A large number of studies have revealed that the evolution of influenza A virus is mainly mediated through the mutation of the virus itself and the re-assortment of viral genomes derived from various strains. The evolution of influenza A virus through these mechanisms causes worldwide annual epidemics and occasional pandemics. Importantly, influenza A virus can evolve from an animal infected pathogen to a human infected pathogen. The highly pathogenic influenza virus has resulted in stupendous economic losses due to its morbidity and mortality both in human and animals. Influenza viruses fall into a category of viruses that can cause zoonotic infection with stable adaptation to human, leading to sustained horizontal transmission. The rapid mutations of influenza A virus result in the loss of vaccine optimal efficacy, and challenge the complete eradication of the virus. In this review, we highlight the current understanding of influenza A virus evolution caused by the mutation and re-assortment of viral genomes. In addition, we discuss the specific mechanisms by which the virus evolves.