Cited by 4,739Influenza Virus Research StudiesEvolution and Genetic DynamicsVirology and Viral Diseases

Evolution and ecology of influenza A viruses

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Webster, R G, Bean, W J, Gorman, O T, Chambers, T M, Kawaoka, Y·1992·Microbiological Reviews

Abstract

In this review we examine the hypothesis that aquatic birds are the primordial source of all influenza viruses in other species and study the ecological features that permit the perpetuation of influenza viruses in aquatic avian species. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequence of influenza A virus RNA segments coding for the spike proteins (HA, NA, and M2) and the internal proteins (PB2, PB1, PA, NP, M, and NS) from a wide range of hosts, geographical regions, and influenza A virus subtypes support the following conclusions. (i) Two partly overlapping reservoirs of influenza A viruses exist in migrating waterfowl and shorebirds throughout the world. These species harbor influenza viruses of all the known HA and NA subtypes. (ii) Influenza viruses have evolved into a number of host-specific lineages that are exemplified by the NP gene and include equine Prague/56, recent equine strains, classical swine and human strains, H13 gull strains, and all other avian strains. Other genes show similar patterns, but with extensive evidence of genetic reassortment. Geographical as well as host-specific lineages are evident. (iii) All of the influenza A viruses of mammalian sources originated from the avian gene pool, and it is possible that influenza B viruses also arose from the same source. (iv) The different virus lineages are predominantly host specific, but there are periodic exchanges of influenza virus genes or whole viruses between species, giving rise to pandemics of disease in humans, lower animals, and birds. (v) The influenza viruses currently circulating in humans and pigs in North America originated by transmission of all genes from the avian reservoir prior to the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic; some of the genes have subsequently been replaced by others from the influenza gene pool in birds. (vi) The influenza virus gene pool in aquatic birds of the world is probably perpetuated by low-level transmission within that species throughout the year. (vii) There is evidence that most new human pandemic strains and variants have originated in southern China. (viii) There is speculation that pigs may serve as the intermediate host in genetic exchange between influenza viruses in avian and humans, but experimental evidence is lacking. (ix) Once the ecological properties of influenza viruses are understood, it may be possible to interdict the introduction of new influenza viruses into humans.

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Crossref · 10.1128/mr.56.1.152-179.1992

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  • Influenza haemagglutinin is the main target for influenza A virus vaccines and drugs, and can be genetically classified into two main subgroups: group 1 and group 2.

    “Influenza haemagglutinin (HA) is the main target for influenza A virus vaccines and drugs, and can be genetically classified into two main subgroups: group 1 and group 2 (refs. 30,31).”

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Authors
Webster, R. G., Bean, W. J., Gorman, O. T., Chambers, T. M., & Kawaoka, Y.
Affiliations
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (US)
Venue
Microbiological Reviews
Published
1992-03
Volume
56
Issue
1
Pages
152-179
ISSN
0146-0749 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2160881014
Cited by
4,739
References
188
Citations by year
2026: 100 · 2025: 140 · 2024: 165 · 2023: 135 · 2022: 171 · 2021: 182 · 2020: 168 · 2019: 169 · 2018: 184 · 2017: 199 · 2016: 206 · 2015: 208 · 2014: 264 · 2013: 265 · 2012: 276
FWCI
21.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Microbiological Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01ai020591-10, 5r01ai029680-10)
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (AI-08831, AI-20591, AI 29680)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Influenza Virus Research Studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Virology and Viral Diseases
Keywords
influenza A virus, avian influenza, waterbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, viral reservoir, reassortment, pandemic influenza, 1918 influenza pandemic, N gene, South China
MeSH terms
Animals, Birds, Ecology, Biological Evolution, Genes, Viral, Humans, Influenza, Human, Models, Biological, Influenza A virus

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