Name
Establishing a rapid and safe genotype-to phenotype platform to characterize circulating highly pathogenic avian influenza strains
Presenter
Claudia Santos Saenz, University of Ottawa
Co-Author(s)
Claudia Santos Saenz (University of Ottawa), Marceline Côté (University of Ottawa)
Abstract Category
Discovering & Evolving
Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poses a significant threat to wild and domestic animals, with an increasing risk to humans. Since its initial emergence in humans in 1997, HPAI has evolved into various subtypes causing severe outbreaks. In March 2024, a notable viral spillover led to an outbreak of HPAI in dairy cattle in Texas, USA. This led to the first cross-species mammal-to-mammal transmission of HPAI to humans. Since, several H5Nx strains have been detected in humans with a case fatality rate of ~50%. While human-to-human HPAI spread remains to be seen, viral adaptations driven by antigenic shifts and drifts continue to pose public health risks that warrant further attention. To monitor virus spread and adaptation, we have developed a virus-like particle (VLP) platform able to characterize H5Nx viruses during the entry stage of infection in target cell lines (A549 and MDCK cells). This VLP system provides a safe and rapid phenotype-to-genotype platform for studying emerging strains of HPAI in a biosafety level 2 facility. It holds promise as a tool to detect mutations that may increase HPAI transmissibility in humans and to test current H5Nx strains against existing antiviral therapeutics. Additionally, this VLP system may aid in selecting candidate vaccines, improving preparedness for potential outbreaks and mitigating pandemic risks.