Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses Can Directly Infect and Replicate in Human Gut Tissues
Yuelong Shu(National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention), Chris Ka‐fai Li(John Radcliffe Hospital), Zi Li(National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention), Rongbao Gao(National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention), Qian Liang(National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention), Ye Zhang(National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention), Libo Dong(National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention), Jiangfang Zhou(National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention), Jie Dong(National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention), Dayan Wang(National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention), Le-ying Wen(National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention), Ming Wang(National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention), Tian Bai(National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention), Dexin Li(National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention), Xiao‐Ping Dong(National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention), Hongjie Yu(Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention), Weizhong Yang(Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention), Yu Wang(Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention), Zijian Feng(Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention), A J McMichael(John Radcliffe Hospital), Xiao‐Ning Xu(National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention)
Cited by 45Open Access
Abstract
The human respiratory tract is a major site of avian influenza A(H5N1) infection. However, many humans infected with H5N1 present with gastrointestinal tract symptoms, suggesting that this may also be a target for the virus. In this study, we demonstrated that the human gut expresses abundant avian H5N1 receptors, is readily infected ex vivo by the H5N1 virus, and produces infectious viral particles in organ culture. An autopsy colonic sample from an H5N1-infected patient showed evidence of viral antigen expression in the gut epithelium. Our results provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, that H5N1 can directly target human gut tissues.
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