Avian and Human Influenza A Virus Receptors in Bovine Mammary Gland

Emerg Infect Dis. 2024 Sep;30(9):1907-1911. doi: 10.3201/eid3009.240696. Epub 2024 Aug 10.

Abstract

An outbreak of influenza A (H5N1) virus was detected in dairy cows in the United States. We detected influenza A virus sialic acid -α2,3/α2,6-galactose host receptors in bovine mammary glands by lectin histochemistry. Our results provide a rationale for the high levels of H5N1 virus in milk from infected cows.

Keywords: United States; cattle; host tropism; influenza; influenza A virus; receptor; sialic acid; viruses.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Birds / virology
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / virology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype
  • Influenza in Birds / epidemiology
  • Influenza in Birds / virology
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Mammary Glands, Animal* / virology
  • Milk / virology
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections* / veterinary
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections* / virology
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Receptors, Virus* / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Virus
  • Receptors, Cell Surface