Cited by 1,858Influenza Virus Research StudiesRespiratory viral infections researchViral Infections and Outbreaks Research

Fatal outcome of human influenza A (H5N1) is associated with high viral load and hypercytokinemia.

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de Jong, Menno D, Simmons, Cameron P, Thanh, Tran Tan, Hien, Vo Minh, Smith, Gavin J D, Chau, Tran Nguyen Bich, Hoang, Dang Minh, Van Vinh Chau, Nguyen +10 more·2006·Nature Medicine

Abstract

Avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses cause severe disease in humans, but the basis for their virulence remains unclear. In vitro and animal studies indicate that high and disseminated viral replication is important for disease pathogenesis. Laboratory experiments suggest that virus-induced cytokine dysregulation may contribute to disease severity. To assess the relevance of these findings for human disease, we performed virological and immunological studies in 18 individuals with H5N1 and 8 individuals infected with human influenza virus subtypes. Influenza H5N1 infection in humans is characterized by high pharyngeal virus loads and frequent detection of viral RNA in rectum and blood. Viral RNA in blood was present only in fatal H5N1 cases and was associated with higher pharyngeal viral loads. We observed low peripheral blood T-lymphocyte counts and high chemokine and cytokine levels in H5N1-infected individuals, particularly in those who died, and these correlated with pharyngeal viral loads. Genetic characterization of H5N1 viruses revealed mutations in the viral polymerase complex associated with mammalian adaptation and virulence. Our observations indicate that high viral load, and the resulting intense inflammatory responses, are central to influenza H5N1 pathogenesis. The focus of clinical management should be on preventing this intense cytokine response, by early diagnosis and effective antiviral treatment.

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  • Infection with some influenza subtypes, such as H1N1 and H5N1, typically results in lymphopenia, which has been associated with higher viral load.

    “Furthermore infection with some influenza subtypes, for instance H1N1 and H5N1, typically result in lymphopenia, a state of abnormally low levels of lymphocytes, which has been associated with higher viral load.”

    From Secondary bacterial infections associated with influenza pandemics (2017) · cites this paper as de Jong et al., 2006

  • de Jong et al. (2006) found that influenza infection caused lower levels of cytotoxic T cell lymphocytes, which would negatively affect acquired immunity.

    “de Jong et al. (2006) found influenza infection caused lower levels of cytotoxic T cell lymphocytes, which would therefore negatively affect acquired immunity (de Jong et al., 2006; Cunha et al., 2009).”

    From Secondary bacterial infections associated with influenza pandemics (2017) · cites this paper as de Jong et al., 2006

  • Where lymphopenia occurs, studies have shown a corresponding increase in macrophages, supported by increases in IP-10, IL-8, IL-6, and MCP-1.

    “Where lymphopenia occurs, studies have shown a corresponding increase in macrophages.”

    From Secondary bacterial infections associated with influenza pandemics (2017) · cites this paper as de Jong et al., 2006

  • In a case study conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, comparing 18 people infected with H5N1 virus in 2004 and 2005 to 8 people infected with seasonal H1N1 influenza virus, elevated levels of MCP-1 (CCL2), IP-10 (CXCL10), MIG (CXCL9), and IL-8 were observed in H5N1 virus-infected patients who progressed to severe lung injury.

    “In a case study conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, comparing 18 people infected with H5N1 virus in 2004 and 2005 to 8 people infected with seasonal H1N1 influenza virus, elevated levels of MCP-1 (known as CCL2), IFN-␥-inducible IP-10 (CXCL10), MIG protein (CXCL9), and IL-8 were observed in H5N1 virus-infected patients who progressed to severe lung injury (38).”

    From Into the Eye of the Cytokine Storm (2012) · cites this paper as [38]

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Authors
de Jong, M. D., Simmons, C. P., Thanh, T. T., Hien, V. M., Smith, G. J. D., Chau, T. N. B., Hoang, D. M., Van Vinh Chau, N., Khanh, T. H., Dong, V. C., Qui, P. T., Van Cam, B., Ha, D. Q., Guan, Y., Peiris, J. S. M., Chinh, N. T., Hien, T. T., & Farrar, J.
Affiliations
  • Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (VN)
  • Hospital for Tropical Diseases (VN)
  • University of Hong Kong (HK)
  • Children's Hospital 2 (VN)
Venue
Nature Medicine
Published
2006-09-10
Volume
12
Issue
10
Pages
1203-1207
ISSN
  • 1078-8956 (ISSN-L)
  • 1546-170X
OpenAlex
W1996311210
Cited by
1,858
References
29
Citations by year
2026: 37 · 2025: 59 · 2024: 50 · 2023: 55 · 2022: 87 · 2021: 115 · 2020: 140 · 2019: 74 · 2018: 64 · 2017: 85 · 2016: 85 · 2015: 90 · 2014: 128 · 2013: 129 · 2012: 110
FWCI
70.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
  • The HKU Scholars Hub (University of Hong Kong) (submittedVersion)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
Funders
Wellcome Trust (074636/Z/04/Z)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Influenza Virus Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Respiratory viral infections research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
Keywords
H5N1 avian influenza, avian influenza, fatal outcome, viral load, cytokine storm, cytokine imbalance, chemokines, T cell depletion, mammalian adaptation, viral pathogenesis
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Child, Child, Preschool, Flow Cytometry, Humans, Infant, Influenza, Human, Middle Aged, Molecular Sequence Data, RNA, Viral, T-Lymphocytes, Cytokines, Treatment Outcome, Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype

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