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H1N1 flu mutation found that spreads more efficiently

03/10/2011 14:34:00 admin
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By Kathleen Blanchard

MIT researchers have found a single mutation of the H1N1 virus that they say could lead to easier transmission of the infection among humans. 

The scientists say identifying the mutation is important for safeguarding humans from another pandemic that typically occurs in two waves.  

The 2009 virus was a mix of human, swine and avian flu genes that spread inefficiently, but scientists have speculated mutation could lead to more severe illness with disastrous consequences.  

The researchers note it’s difficult to predict how virus mutations will affect human health, but say it’s import to track seasonal changes in flu viruses, shown by the deadly 1918 influenza pandemic that followed what appeared to be a typical flu outbreak in 1917. 

Now that the H1N1 virus mutation has been identified, the scientists say the WHO can continue to track changes as they appear.  

Qinghua Wang, assistant professor of biochemistry at Baylor College of Medicine. “These are exactly the types of mutations that we need to watch out for in order to safeguard humans from future disastrous flu pandemics.” 

Ease of flu transmission among humans is dependent on the structure of the HA protein on the surface of the virus. The 2009 H1N1 flu virus does not bind to respiratory cells efficiently, but the scientists warn it would take just one mutation to become more virulent.  

For their study, researchers switched a segment of the HA protein, switching the amino acid isoleucine with another amino acid, lysine. The result was much easier binding to respiratory cells, showing the researchers small changes in the surface binding protein has the potential to cause severe infection. 

“If you look at the history, it takes a very small change to these viruses to have a dramatic effect,” explains Ram Sasisekharan, senior author of the paper.  
The mutated H1N1 virus identified by the scientists was found to spread rapidly in ferrets, used as a model for human influenza infections. Tracking H1N1 mutation is an important step for safeguarding human health through planning, preparation and targeted vaccines. 

Source: MIT news

 http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/h1n1-mutation-0309.html 
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