2009 Swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) resembles previous influenza isolates

PLoS One. 2009 Jul 28;4(7):e6402. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006402.

Abstract

Background: In April 2009, novel swine-origin influenza viruses (S-OIV) were identified in patients from Mexico and the United States. The viruses were genetically characterized as a novel influenza A (H1N1) strain originating in swine, and within a very short time the S-OIV strain spread across the globe via human-to-human contact.

Methodology: We conducted a comprehensive computational search of all available sequences of the surface proteins of H1N1 swine influenza isolates and found that a similar strain to S-OIV appeared in Thailand in 2000. The earlier isolates caused infections in pigs but only one sequenced human case, A/Thailand/271/2005 (H1N1).

Significance: Differences between the Thai cases and S-OIV may help shed light on the ability of the current outbreak strain to spread rapidly among humans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Capsid Proteins / genetics
  • Genes, Viral
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / classification*
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / genetics
  • Reassortant Viruses / classification
  • Reassortant Viruses / genetics
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins